![]() Without that relationship, Ludie's Life seems to address readers old enough to be interested in and grasp the sorrow of having children but no money, or the reward of having Sunday school students return years later to thank you. These are the kind of stories grandmothers tell, with family connections that bridge the lack of life experience in a young audience. However, there is a disconnect between this book and its intended audience. Rylant includes luminous moments told in lovely language, such as Ludie's first experience of snow. In some ways, nothing terribly dramatic happens here, except for the incredible changes in lifestyle wrought by the 20th century. ![]() Those years include Ludie's marriage at 15 to Rupe, who was tall and kind her mixed feelings about sex, which meant too many mouths to feed and the good times with friends and relatives. A variety of vignettes are presented, not necessarily in chronological order, but more like someone in her 90s looking back. Her childhood of stealing table scraps from her stepmother didn't predict a happy life. ![]() ![]() Despite the poverty, Ludie's life seems engaging and rewarding, with six children and a loving husband. ![]() Grade 9 Up-Rylant uses free verse to tell the story of a poor West Virginia country woman, born in 1910, who lives into her 90s. ![]()
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