Toning the Sweep
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1994
112
Novel • Fiction
•
Children`s Literature•
EducationMojave Desert, California • 1990s
•
Education1994
YA
12-16 years
760L
Toning the Sweep by Angela Johnson follows a young person named Emily who visits her grandmother, Ola, in the Mojave Desert. As they prepare for Ola's relocation due to illness, Emily learns about her family's history and heritage through stories, deepening her connection with her roots and understanding the importance of memory and storytelling.
Contemplative
Emotional
Bittersweet
Nostalgic
492 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Toning the Sweep by Angela Johnson is praised for its lyrical prose and emotional depth, capturing the nuances of family and intergenerational relationships. Readers appreciate the strong female characters and the exploration of grief and healing. However, some find the narrative pacing uneven. Overall, it's a poignant and thoughtful read.
A reader who enjoys Toning the Sweep by Angela Johnson would likely appreciate character-driven narratives exploring themes of family, grief, and coming-of-age. Fans of To Kill a Mockingbird and The House on Mango Street might find similar emotional depth and cultural exploration in Johnson's work.
492 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
112
Novel • Fiction
•
Children`s Literature•
EducationMojave Desert, California • 1990s
•
Education1994
YA
12-16 years
760L
We’re just getting started
Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!