Free Lunch Book Review by Rex Ogle
Published by Norton Young Readers in 2019
ISBN: 978-1324003601
Plot Summary: This is a memoir of Rex Ogle when he was in 6th grade. He was enrolled in the free lunch program at school as he was living in poverty at the time. The story begins with his mom Luciana in the grocery store as they are shopping for food but they only have so many dollars in food stamps that they can use. Rex remembers how angry he is that he never gets to choose food that he likes and both he and his mom are embarrassed as they didn't have enough money for the food that they chose so they only walk out with one bag of groceries even though they had chosen much more than that. Rex is anxious about going to school as he doesn't want the other kids to know that he was on the free lunch program and when he questions his mom she beats him and gives him a black eye which he has to explain away at the school. Rex has to announce that he has free lunch in the line which embarasses him even more. He talks with his grandmother who tells him that she grew up in a family of 13 and there wasn't enough to go around which helps him understand a little bit more. At school he is called a slur after he does not join the football team because his family can't afford it. Rex falls into a bad crowd that does dangerous things like huffing freon and getting into fights. He deals with prejudice from teachers and others as he makes homemade costumes for Thanksgiving as well as dealing with the tough times at Thanksgiving. When Christmas comes around, his tune starts to change when he is blessed with a check from his father and a gift from his mom's boyfriend. Rex realizes that his mother is doing the best that she can and he starts being grateful for his free lunch as he knows that he is going to be fed at least one time a day.
Critical Analysis: This story was really hard to read as I got more and more engrossed in Rex's upbringing as it was so different from my own. I am grateful that I never had to go through the things that Rex went through in his life and the details from his memory paint a very vivid picture of how hard his life really was with the lack of resources and the abuse that was inflicted upon him not just by his mother but by many people that were around him as well. The biggest theme that comes out of this story to me is that by showing gratitude and having optimism in a world that just seems to beat you down, you can beat the odds. Of course this isn't true for all, but the author does a good job of inspiring those in situations like his own. Of course the fact that there is a lot of talk about superheroes also makes this story interesting for those in this age group as this is the formative time in their lives and superheroes are a good escape from reality.
Review: Recounting his childhood experiences in sixth grade, Ogle’s memoir chronicles the punishing consequences of poverty and violence on himself and his family.
The start of middle school brings about unwanted changes in young Rex’s life. His old friendships devolve as his school friends join the football team and slowly edge him out. His new English teacher discriminates against him due to his dark skin (Rex is biracial, with a white absentee dad and a Mexican mom) and secondhand clothes, both too large and too small. Seemingly worse, his mom enrolls him in the school’s free-lunch program, much to his embarrassment. “Now everyone knows I’m nothing but trailer trash.” His painful home life proffers little sanctuary thanks to his mom, who swings from occasional caregiver to violent tyrant at the slightest provocation, and his white stepdad, an abusive racist whose aggression out rivals that of Rex’s mom. Balancing the persistent flashes of brutality, Ogle magnificently includes sprouts of hope, whether it’s the beginnings of a friendship with a “weird” schoolmate, joyful moments with his younger brother, or lessons of perseverance from Abuela. These slivers of relative levity counteract the toxic relationship between young Rex, a boy prone to heated outbursts and suppressed feelings, and his mother, a fully three-dimensional character who’s viciously thrashing against the burden of poverty. It’s a fine balance carried by the author’s outstanding, gracious writing and a clear eye for the penetrating truth.
A mighty portrait of poverty amid cruelty and optimism. (author’s note, author Q&A, discussion guide, writing guide, resources) (Memoir. 9-12)
Connections: Students can look up what it takes to qualify for free lunch and how it impacts those that they might not even know around them. They can also start looking into how they can make a difference at their schools and in their communities through volunteering for the food backpack program or at local food banks.
Comments
Post a Comment