Comments on The Picnic Basket: Morning in a Different Place • Young adult fiction...

I love history and the Sixties were an exciting ti...

2009-05-21T13:25:18.071-04:00

I love history and the Sixties were an exciting time, yet I still had difficulty getting onto this story. It never grabbed me in a way which compelled me to keep reading. This is a book I could probably get my "readers" to checkout, but I don't see the average middle schooler giving it much interest. I give it a 3.

ALthough I enjoyed this book, I feel loke the topi...

2009-05-13T15:36:00.000-04:00

ALthough I enjoyed this book, I feel loke the topics in it are for middle grade or beyond. It was sad for me to read, living in an area where differences are not enjoyed and celebrated. People reading this book will see what it was like during the time of racism and get a feel for the it. Also, the other topics such as alcoholism and violence need to be discussed as you read.
Overall it was a decent, if not sad book.

I had a hard time reading Morning in a Different P...

2009-05-01T00:04:00.000-04:00

I had a hard time reading Morning in a Different Place. I don't think I could find a connection to the book and it made the reading difficult. It is not a book that I could put out for my 5th graders to read, but I could see upper middle school students and high school students showing an interest in it.

2 of 5

I had trouble getting in to this book, but I am gl...

2009-04-22T22:24:00.000-04:00

I had trouble getting in to this book, but I am glad that it was finally able to grab my attention. I like the way that it exposes students to a different time and mindset of our history. I don't think that it is appropriate for the elementary age that I teach, but will have it available for older students to read.

As is suggested in the information about this book...

2009-04-09T14:51:00.000-04:00

As is suggested in the information about this book in the blog post, this book is for young adults; the book’s publisher recommends it for readers aged 14-17. I agree with the publisher and wouldn’t recommend it to younger readers.

The one thing that comes to my mind when I think about this book is metacognition. The author has thought about the thinking of a white, middle-school aged girl in the Bronx in the early 1960’s. The protagonist tells the story in the first person, and is very good at expressing what she is thinking and feeling. I’m not sure how realistic her thoughts would be, coming from a girl in the eighth grade; her thoughts seem confident, mature and clear, and I’m not so sure thoughts of a pubescent girl would be so sophisticated except they were instantly captured in writing, like in this book. But then again, I haven’t been around middle-school aged thinking in a long time, and I could be wrong.

I enjoy the references to historical/contemporary social movements and groups, and to historical figures, as they are great catalysts to get students researching and learning. Also, I think this book may be useful in helping to get readers engaged in metacognitive writing. If not that, it is at least a great discussion piece, like literature, and would certainly provoke some great and difficult classroom discussions.

Personally, I really enjoyed the emphasis placed on the friendship between the two main characters; I like the loyalty that is portrayed between them. I also enjoy the portrayal of the protagonist taking risks based on sound advice or conversations she had in her closest relationships, and then seeing those risks bear positive fruit.

Overall, I would give Morning in a Different Place a Picnic Basket rating of 3. Although I really enjoyed the book, because of its serious nature, I wouldn’t plan a picnic around it. In the right company and with certain people, or with a forewarning, I could discuss it and be entertained by it, but it’s not a sunny afternoon picnic topic for everyone.

Sarah Oyerinde
Marion, Indiana

This book addresses some important issues prevelan...

2009-04-07T22:41:00.000-04:00

This book addresses some important issues prevelant during the 1960s and some still today, such as racial tension, alchohol abuse, abusive parents, the haves vs. the have nots. However, it was not a book that I had to get through. It is relatively short, but I found myself going to other things when I felt like reading. It just doesn't have the draw that I would like to see from a book covering such touchy issues. The connection between Yolanda and Fiona seems a bit forced. I would have liked some more background on their friendship and more relationship building.

2 out of 5

Lindsey B.
Title I teacher, Utah

I really wanted to like and enjoy "Morning in a Di...

2009-04-07T22:27:00.000-04:00

I really wanted to like and enjoy "Morning in a Different Place" but to be honest it felt a bit flat. I loved the use of the time and setting, but the characters were lacking in depth.

Like some of the other reviewers, I look forward to getting my 8th graders' feedback on the book.

2.5 - 3 out of 5

A. Hunt
Middle School Language Arts
Fort Walton Beach, FL

This was an interesting book to read. I think the...

2009-04-06T12:03:00.000-04:00

This was an interesting book to read. I think the subject matter is definitely to mature for my 4th graders. I would recommmend for late middle schoolers.

Morning in a Different Place is a story of race an...

2009-04-06T10:00:00.000-04:00

Morning in a Different Place is a story of race and friendship. It takes place in the 1960s. I really feel that a book like this belongs in a classroom where discussions can be lead regarding the different issues at hand. As a teacher I found so many "teachable moments" in the book. I'm not sure that a student would pick up this book on his/her own. This book ends happily which is so great because most of the book is sad. I rate this book a 3.

I enjoyed Morning in a Different Place, but it was...

2009-04-05T12:06:00.000-04:00

I enjoyed Morning in a Different Place, but it wasn't a page turner for me. I felt like it grazed across the two main issues in the book, racial tension in the 1960's and abuse in the home. Neither seemed dealt with in an urgent manner, which was dissapointing.

I will recommend it to my students, but most likely it won't be selected all that often.

I'd give it a 3 out of 5.

As an adult who was raised Catholic, I found much ...

2009-04-01T18:40:00.000-04:00

As an adult who was raised Catholic, I found much to identify with in this book. However, its intended audience of modern day middle school students is going to miss much of the power of the book which lies in both the culture of Catholicism and in 1960's racial tensions. Thematically, there is much to identify with: the culture of silence and guilt, conflicts between parents and adolescents, and the coming-of-age story of a girl who would rather believe the lies she tells herself rather than face up to ugly realities in her life.
I don't think this book will get the attention it deserves from its intended audience.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Eileen Snover
South Mountain MS
Grades 6-8

I had some difficulty getting into Morning in a Di...

2009-03-30T23:03:00.000-04:00

I had some difficulty getting into Morning in a Different Place. However, once I got a little further into it, it grabbed my interest and I found it a very insightful read. For those students who have not experienced racial tension, this story will offer great talking points in a guided reading group.

Picnic Rating 4.0

Rhonda McFarland
3rd Grade Teacher
Gates Elementary
Aurora, IL

I enjoyed Morning in A Different Place. The book i...

2009-03-27T15:54:00.000-04:00

I enjoyed Morning in A Different Place. The book includes some big ideas and issues that can still be realted to the lives of our students.

My seventh grade students, on the other hand, have been a difficult sell on this one. I have had a tough time getting students interested in the book.

I would rank the book 3 out of 5. I enjoyed the book, but I feel that there could have some things changed to grab the interest of young adult readers.

Kelsey B
Seventh grade English teacher
Indiana

From Anonymous

I applaud Mary Ann McGuigan ...

2009-03-25T12:48:00.000-04:00

From Anonymous

I applaud Mary Ann McGuigan for a wonderfully written book. She covers many issues society was experiencing in the 1960's, focusing mostly on racism as well as dysfunctional families due to alcoholism and abuse.

Yolanda and Fiona (one black and the other white) formed a friendship, although sometimes challenged, despite the struggles of racism.

I will recommend this book to students who love historical fiction and those seeking a change from the fantasy genre.

4 out of 5!

"Morning in a Different Place" is a story about th...

2009-03-25T07:51:00.000-04:00

"Morning in a Different Place" is a story about the struggles of two young girls. The story takes place in the 1960's, Fiona is white and Yolanda is black. This book addresses many of the issues young teens face today, social status, alcohol abuse, dysfunctional families, and racial tensions. I enjoyed the book and think that many teens will be able to relate to the characters in the story. I will do my best to encourage my students to read this book and look forward to hearing their thoughts and feelings about the book. I give this book a 4 out of 5.

I recently finished Morning in a Different Place. ...

2009-03-24T17:15:00.000-04:00

I recently finished Morning in a Different Place. It was an interesting story that some of my student may be able to relate to. I will have to try it as a read-aloud to see what their reaction is. However, most of my students would have a difficult time relating to the race issues. They would relate very well to the tough home life, problems with drugs, and alcoholism. This is too much of a reality for them. This is not a book that they would choose on their own and would require a lot of encouragement for me to get them to read.

I would give it a 3.5

Catherine Yezak, Special Ed Teacher, Marquette, Michigan

This was really tough to get through at times. It...

2009-03-22T15:21:00.000-04:00

This was really tough to get through at times. It wasn't a hard read but the content and subject matter were tough.

Substance abuse, racial issues, and other controversial topics like guns, abortion, and drugs all make this book "heavy on the mind."

I think the premise, an interracial friendship in the '60s and the strain and hardship of substance abuse are very real topics - even today. Some students would really identify with this novel and the struggles that Fiona and Yolanda face.

I would direct this novel to 8th grade and up, some of the subject matter would be a little dicey for younger students.

Overall I liked the novel, and I certainly felt the struggles right along with the main characters.

Picnic Basket Rating: 4 out of 5

Lindsay Horne
6th Grade Teacher
New Kent Middle School
New Kent, VA

While this book brings up important issues and an ...

2009-03-22T13:34:00.000-04:00

While this book brings up important issues and an interesting time in American history, it doesn't do it very well. The author's storytelling feels a lot like telling without a lot of showing. There wasn't much to emotionally connect me to the characters and the ending is hard to buy.
Rating: 3
Children's Librarian

"Morning in a Different Place" is a interesting lo...

2009-03-22T13:10:00.000-04:00

"Morning in a Different Place" is a interesting look at racial tensions in the 1960's. The story has a strong voice with excellent descriptive literary sections. However, it read more conversational driven than plot driven. I am not certain that many students would choose to read this book on thier own. It would be one that needs encouragement. I personally wished that the author would have delved into one aspect of the book more and explored it rather than covering racial tensions,peer pressure, alcoholism, and family abuse all so superficially. I rate this book a 3.

I would rate this book a 4.

This was a boo...

2009-03-22T12:19:00.000-04:00

I would rate this book a 4.

This was a book with a lot of different elements in it. There is a strained relationship because of color, the fear of an alcoholic father, the unknownness of where you will sleep the next night and how to fit into the "in" crowd.
With all that going on, I felt that I would have gotten lost but it turned out great. I liked the story but was a little diappointed with the ending. It left things undone. But maybe that is what the author wanted to have us thinking. How will this family manage now?
I teach grade 5. I am putting this on my bookshelf for sure and am interested in what my students will say.

Since I grew up in the 60s, this book acted as a t...

2009-03-22T00:12:00.000-04:00

Since I grew up in the 60s, this book acted as a trip back to the past. The author correctly identified the mood, relationships, and life of this era. I am not sure if the students will be able to relate to the story. There seems to be too much going on--alcoholism, racism, abuse, besides growing up as an adolescent.

Morning in a Different Place was a super read. Exc...

2009-03-21T11:36:00.000-04:00

Morning in a Different Place was a super read. Excellant insight into the 1960s and the conflicts of that time period. I enjoyed the two characters of Yolando and Fiona and their strong friendship. Even though I have many connections to the book, I'm not sure my students would. They are growing up in a completely different time and place and do not see the prejudice that we saw in the 60's. The author accurately described our feeligs on November 22, 1963, and our wonder of what tomorrow would be like.

Picnic Rating: 3

Kathy J. Johnson
4th Grade Classroom
Williamsburg Elementary
Williamksburg, MO

"Morning In A Different Place," was a really inter...

2009-03-20T23:26:00.000-04:00

"Morning In A Different Place," was a really interesting book that demonstrated the issues of racism in the 1960's and also a vivid example of the problems of a dysfunctional family. It started out a little slow at first and I had a hard time getting into it, but once I got about 1/5 of the way into it, I found that I couldn't put it down. One of my students read it and asked me a lot of questions about racism and prejudice and the presence of it still in today's society. A few other students tried to read it, but lost interest before finishing it, so I think that it suited more towards students who are at the point in their reading comprehension to analyze and synthesize information and question the relevancy of the issues in the book in relation to their own lives today. I would rank it a 4 out of 5 and suggest that maybe it would be more effective to use in a reading group so that the teacher could promote more discussion and provide background information before and during the reading of the novel. Good book!

This book definitely has many topics to use in tee...

2009-03-20T16:19:00.000-04:00

This book definitely has many topics to use in teen discussions and for writing assignments. It would be a great book to use in conjunction with a study of the social and political issues of the 1960’s. I believe Fiona really learned a lot by observing the more mature behavior of her friend Yolanda. Even though both girls are experiencing a rough life, Yolanda seems to be overcoming difficulties which spurs Fiona to take action to try and help her mother get the family out of an abusive situation. Yolanda forces her friend to make a choice between being her friend and being friends with other girls who seem to be using her and are not really her friends. This would be a good story for students to write another chapter to explain what happens next in the girls’ lives. It would also be good for students to research the political events of the time period including the events surrounding the death of President Kennedy. I would recommend this book for social studies classes or for use by counselors in the high school grades.

Tilda Sumerel
Franklin County Alabama School System

Picnic Rating: 3.5

I wanted to love this b...

2009-03-19T14:14:00.000-04:00

Picnic Rating: 3.5

I wanted to love this book more than I did. There are some wonderful aspects to it - there is some historical context, a main character to whom teenagers should relate, interesting supporting characters, and a good story. But in the end, it earns a kind of "above the below but below the upper" rating from me.

I think the biggest problem I had was that it felt incomplete. It is a thin book, and I believe it would benefit from more story bulk. For instance, when the father and mother have reunited and are in the kitchen, she rebuffs his attempt at affection. He appeared to be doing what the mother wanted, but she rejects him and then the subject is sort of dropped. It would help to have the mother discuss this with Fiona, who surely is as confused as we readers.

The ending is way too neat. It seems like Fiona has an epiphany one day and rises to overcome her shortcomings. For all of the angst and torture that surely surrounded her friendship with Yolanda and her relationship with her father, she certainly rises to the occasion quite readily.

I liked it, I've got it in my classroom library, but I think this could have been a better book.

High School English Teacher /
Yearbook Advisor
North Carolina