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4.5
Everyone has their own childhood. There are as much stories from childhood as there are sand in the sea. If you like to stories from childhood, Gary Soto’s living up the street is what I will recommend for you. In this story, Gary wrote about his childhood of poverty growing up. Each of the story is short, but it was real life, interesting stories, and vivid language. Sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic, it was just Gary’s life experience.One of my favorite chapters of the book was from the chapter “Summer School”. Gary Soto was trying to show that he had a colorful life in summer school. He enjoyed immensely history class because it was the first one class ever he would earn an A. He was so happy, and teacher was quite satisfied “He stood behind the lectern, looking down at his watch now and then, and beamed at me like a flashlight.” At this time, made me feel that Gary Soto was like a star showing his knowledge on the stage.Another great reason for me to like this book is Gary Soto’s changed. In his childhood, he was naughty, funny, fond mischief. In the chapter “Being mean”, Gary Soto tried to set the house on fire. In the chapter “1,2,3”, Gary Soto envy the rich and white people; he didn’t like being a Mexican. In the chapter “ Black hair”, Gary Soto was forced out of his home during adolescence, and he had to go to work pay the rent and buy food. He knew the life was not easy. In the “A Good Day”, when Gary Soto and his wife travel with his friends in Mexico, a blind harp player that was Mexican told him “Be a Mexican and go on”, at this time, Gary was so happy. Gary accept being himself now. Just like his book said “a vigorous vine that seemed to grow everywhere, on the houses of the poor as well as the rich.”The final reason for me to like this book is there are many figurative expressions in this book. In the chapter “Catholics”, “she puckered her mouth into a clot of lines and something vicious raged in her eyes, like she was getting ready to throw a softball”, using simile made the reader feel how terrible her eyes are. In the chapter “Bloodworth”, “Bloodworth was already on all fours and poised beautifully, eyes straight ahead like a horse’s”, this is what coach called“animals”, and made me believe that Bloodworth was true warrior. There are a lot of other metaphors in the book, and made this book more live and colorful.This book will bring you good moments because in this book Gary Soto not only describes his growth, but also wrote his life experience. In living up the street, there are happiness and sadness; mistakes and changes, every short story will give you some insight. Gary Soto’s life is not perfect, just like ours, the ordinary life shines happiness.
