"I feel so stretched out. Like I'm broken in a million pieces or something." —Margaret, "Last Summer With Maizon", P. 32 "But I knew she had grown into someone I wasn't. I still love her for who she was, not for who she became." —Grandma, "Last Summer With Maizon", P. 53 "You're my best friend in the whole world...I love you. Best friends should tell each other that." —Maizon, "Last Summer With Maizon", P. 60 Jacqueline Woodson quietly yet triumphantly delivers a book of deep resonance and clear feeling in this, her first offering to the literary world. The lives of Margaret, Maizon and all of the others around them blend marvelously well without in any way sacrificing the realism of the scenes. The depth of feeling is always present but incredibly subtle, bowling over the reader with its reticent power while flowing as smoothly as the most silent stream. Jacqueline Woodson has a way of framing situations just so, in ways that lend fresh, unexpected insight into both the worlds of her lovely characters and into our own lives. As a result, she captures a rich tone of voice that spreads throughout every word of the book with a beauty that one could never expect, even one who is well acquainted with the works of the author. "Maybe this was our last summer as best friends. I feel like something's going to change now and I'm not going to be able to change it back." —Margaret, P. 65 "Best friends are best friends always...No matter what." —Margaret, P. 103 "Last Summer With Maizon" is a short book, but one must not discount the power that such a brief story can possess. The people and the events that they experience will undoubtedly stay with the reader for a very long time, and the lyrical words of insight that flow from the author's pen will surely shed light onto the reader's own lives, for a long time to come. "Last Summer With Maizon" is a beautifully touching story, and I recommend it with fondest affection to anyone who loves superb writing. "I wouldn't mind the early autumn if you came home today I'd tell you how much I miss you and know I'd be okay. It's funny how we never know exactly how our life will go It's funny how a dream can fade with the break of day. Time can't erase the memory and time can't bring you home Last Summer was a part of me and now a part is gone." —Margaret, P.P. 74-76
I read this book as a group but i really liked it,i think Jacqeline Woodson did a awsome job at this book. When Maizon wins a scholarship to a boarding school for smart students,Margaret was upset and scared to lose her friend .After Maizon left to boarding school margaret discovers her talent,including being smart at school and winning a poetry contest.After like about three months Maizon came back from boarding school and the adults and peers in the brooklyn neighborhood were glad to see her again. You could find this book in MS.Stoddard's class.
What do You think about Last Summer With Maizon (2002)?
Misael, did you know that this book is part of a series? I think there are three total. If you're interested in reading the others, talk to Ms. Stoddard or me - let's track down the other books... they're in our school!
—Misael Rosa
In the book "Last Summer with Maizon" Madison is the main character but the story was told by an omniscient narrator. Madison is having troubles with her family but her best friend Maizon is there every step of the way. Maizon applied for a school far away where she would live like a boarding school but Madison doesn't want Maizon to go. As the summer is beginning everything starts to go wrong, her father suffers from frequent heart attacks and her mother is beginning to become stressed.This book puts you on the edge of your seat because you aren't sure if the father will be ok or what and when all the stuff will happen. I didn't really find this book very interesting or exciting because it was a little depressing and things happened too fast. Because the events all came at you like a swirling snowball you didn't really have time to thing and reflect on how that event would change the characters feelings or actions. I also like when characters reflect about their actions and have inner thinking but with this kind of narration there was barely any of either. I would recommend this book to those who want a quick realistic fiction read. In the end, the book gave me something to think about which is what a book should make you do, reflect.
—Isadora
This exquisite short novel tells the story of a young teenager who is beset in a single year with the loss of her father and the departure of her best friend, who goes to boarding school on a scholarship. It is accessible for young readers (tweens and teens); the young girl's pain is described honestly in a way that will probably seem brutal only to readers who have shared her experience. Others will be able to empathize without experiencing undue pain. Ms. Woodson's writing lends itself graciously to close examination and study. The first half of the first chapter of this book is my favorite text for teaching "main idea" to middle school students.
—Fred Gorrell
