49 pages • 1 hour read
Locomotion
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
144
Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction
New York City • 2000s
2003
Middle grade
10-14 years
NP
Super Short Summary
Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson follows 11-year-old Lonnie Collins Motion, nicknamed Locomotion, as he navigates life after losing his parents in a fire and being separated from his sister, who was adopted. Through the guidance of his teacher, Ms. Marcus, Lonnie turns to poetry to express his grief and gradually finds joy and meaning in his foster home with Miss Edna, culminating in a hopeful outlook on his future. The book depicts racism and racist stereotypes.
Emotional
Inspirational
Melancholic
Hopeful
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
7,667 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson has received widespread acclaim for its powerful prose and emotional depth. Critics praise its engaging verse narrative and authentic portrayal of a young boy's struggle with grief and identity. Some mention that the poetry format may not appeal to all readers. Overall, it is celebrated for its poignant storytelling and character development.
Who Should Read Locomotion?
Readers who enjoy heartfelt, lyrical narratives will appreciate Jacqueline Woodson's Locomotion. Fans of Sharon Creech's Love That Dog or Kwame Alexander's The Crossover will resonate with its poetic form and emotional depth, exploring themes of family, resilience, and self-discovery.
7,667 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
144
Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction
New York City • 2000s
2003
Middle grade
10-14 years
NP
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.