What do you think?
Rate this book
Sister Slam and the Poetic Motormouth Road Trip
I was smitten,
bitten
by a love bug
or something.
I didn't
even care
that I'd
just been hit.
I was in deep
smit.
Laura Crapper, a seventeen-year-old combat-boot-wearing poet with spiked red hair, renames herself Sister Slam and hits the road with her best friend, Twig. On the way to a slam poetry contest in New Jersey, they hit a pig, get pulled over by the cops, fight with one of the judges, lose the contest, get into two more fender benders, fight with each other, and finally land on the front page of a New York City newspaper for their amazing impromptu performance at the famous Tavern on the Green. The girls and their fresh style of poetry take the city by storm, but when Laura's father back in Pennsylvania has a heart attack, she must face her fears about home and the still-raw loss of her mother. This inspiring romp of a coming-of-age story, written entirely in Laura's in-your-face slam poetry style, proves you don't have to give up your home to live your dream.
bitten
by a love bug
or something.
I didn't
even care
that I'd
just been hit.
I was in deep
smit.
Laura Crapper, a seventeen-year-old combat-boot-wearing poet with spiked red hair, renames herself Sister Slam and hits the road with her best friend, Twig. On the way to a slam poetry contest in New Jersey, they hit a pig, get pulled over by the cops, fight with one of the judges, lose the contest, get into two more fender benders, fight with each other, and finally land on the front page of a New York City newspaper for their amazing impromptu performance at the famous Tavern on the Green. The girls and their fresh style of poetry take the city by storm, but when Laura's father back in Pennsylvania has a heart attack, she must face her fears about home and the still-raw loss of her mother. This inspiring romp of a coming-of-age story, written entirely in Laura's in-your-face slam poetry style, proves you don't have to give up your home to live your dream.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
3 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
February 11, 2009
Okay...the idea of a brash misfit and her friend going on a road trip to a poetry slam is a pretty great concept, and I really feel there should be more novels in verse out there for the YA crowd, but this just did not work for me. Forget the neatly tied-up Cinderella style plotline, and the non-emphasis on character development, because that's not even what this book is about. This book is a book in verse about a girl who has a passion for poetry, and unfortunately it's the poetry that really didn't deliver for me here. While the style completely matches the audacious gutsiness of our anti-heroine, it's really awkward to read. It jars and bumps along. You might argue that the discordance parallels Laura's (Sister Slam's)feelings of alienation and rebellion. You might--but her poetry is also where Laura feels the most free and herself, and the style felt a little too contrived and self-consciously edgy to really capture that feeling of creative release as effectively as it might have.
Unlike some of its kind, I wouldn't necessarily suggest this particular to readers who are anything less than voracious. However, where it might have more currency is for some big readers and aspiring young creative writers out there who might feel inspired afterwards to be as fearless and unapologetic about their writing as Laura is about hers--or at the very least, feel inclined to top her attempts.
Unlike some of its kind, I wouldn't necessarily suggest this particular to readers who are anything less than voracious. However, where it might have more currency is for some big readers and aspiring young creative writers out there who might feel inspired afterwards to be as fearless and unapologetic about their writing as Laura is about hers--or at the very least, feel inclined to top her attempts.
November 13, 2007
I read it because it's a novel in verse. Two teens go on their own to New York City and encounter no problems and friendly people? And are successful poetry slammers? It all seemed too easy.
December 26, 2011
Certainly not my favorite. Usually, verse novels stay away from rhyme, but this one sticks with it all the way through. Some other reviewers have spoken ill of this, but I stopped noticing it part way through. I did like that the main character is a working class fat girl and, while this is noted and referenced, these aren't the defining issues of the book. It also passes the Bechdel test, in that Twig and Sista' Slam have conversations that aren't about a guy and that are about life, friendship and art. They graduate, leave their small town for the Big City, fame, and fortune. Mostly, they find all three.
My problem is that the Poetic Motormouth Road Trip is more of a fairytale than a contemporary YA novel: sure, there are car crashes and screaming fights between best friends, but there's too much unbelievable, Prince Charming- level stuff to feel real. Perhaps that's why the cover focuses on a pair of shoes? Anyway, book's main flaw is that it is slight.
I'd offer this to younger poetry enthusiasts and girls yearning to grow up and get out of town. Cleaner than Ellen Hopkins and lighter than Thalia Chaltas. Middle school appropriate.
My problem is that the Poetic Motormouth Road Trip is more of a fairytale than a contemporary YA novel: sure, there are car crashes and screaming fights between best friends, but there's too much unbelievable, Prince Charming- level stuff to feel real. Perhaps that's why the cover focuses on a pair of shoes? Anyway, book's main flaw is that it is slight.
I'd offer this to younger poetry enthusiasts and girls yearning to grow up and get out of town. Cleaner than Ellen Hopkins and lighter than Thalia Chaltas. Middle school appropriate.
September 20, 2011
Not into the verse.
Even if I've read worse.
Even if I've read worse.
January 2, 2020
This is the story of Laura Rose Crapper, A.K.A. Sister Slam. This entire story is written in verse at once reminiscent of Dr. Seuss and the rap stars of our time. She is a motherless child who is too unique for the cool group, loves words and takes a road-trip from a small town in Pennsylvania to New York where she becomes a star in poetry slams.
The poems in this book are truly amazing and positively reek of truth. The chapters are named after the lessons she learns throughout those incredible six months. This is a great story for any sensitive teenage girl who is just coming into her own and to prove to her that she can “Dream, Believe, Fly”.
Her friend Twig, who had been a Beatles groupie since she was a fetus, also wrote poetry that was more political and definitely cynical:
“You say you want a revolution, but the constitution and John Lennon are dead.
Yoko Ono’s alone in the bed, shaking her head over something John said Yesterday.
What a mess today.
I want to Hold Your Hand, somebody or anybody’s hand.
Do you have a Ticket to Ride?
I lost mine, when John Lennon died.”
But to truly appreciate Sister Slam you need to read the poem she wrote when she met her first real boyfriend:
"I was smitten, bitten by a love bug or something
I didn't even care that I'd just been hit.
I was in deep smit."
The poems in this book are truly amazing and positively reek of truth. The chapters are named after the lessons she learns throughout those incredible six months. This is a great story for any sensitive teenage girl who is just coming into her own and to prove to her that she can “Dream, Believe, Fly”.
Her friend Twig, who had been a Beatles groupie since she was a fetus, also wrote poetry that was more political and definitely cynical:
“You say you want a revolution, but the constitution and John Lennon are dead.
Yoko Ono’s alone in the bed, shaking her head over something John said Yesterday.
What a mess today.
I want to Hold Your Hand, somebody or anybody’s hand.
Do you have a Ticket to Ride?
I lost mine, when John Lennon died.”
But to truly appreciate Sister Slam you need to read the poem she wrote when she met her first real boyfriend:
"I was smitten, bitten by a love bug or something
I didn't even care that I'd just been hit.
I was in deep smit."
July 1, 2020
A cute story written in poetry slam style about a girl who goes on an adventure with her best friend. Their rhymes make the big time! Quick read for those who like poetry and slam poetry in particular.
August 14, 2019
It is what it is and for what it is, it was good.
September 10, 2013
3 and 1/2 stars
The poeticly inclined diva, Laura Crapper,
otherwise known as Sister Slam,
is a curvy, loud-mouthed, boot-stomping,
vest-wearing, skirt-swinging,
flame-haired graduate from the realm
of high school hell. Together
with her fellow word warrior
and best friend, Twig, hit the road
with a squealing of gravel spitting tires
and begin their Poetic Motormouth Road Trip
to the enchanted land of New Jersey,
where they plan to stand
in the circular spotlight glow
and slam words into the microphone.
Along the yellow divided road, they
discover real world realities
in the form of cops and fender benders,
lost wallets and luggage,
along with divine new possibilities,
like applause and recognition
for notebook bound phrases
spun into spoken work, and perchance,
even a bit of romance in the form
of a green-eyed Jake.
This novel, broken
into lines and rhymes,
is a fast paced read full
of fun and good times.
Though the rhythm perhaps
lacks the flow of natural dialog
and the condensed nature
of scenes and events unfolding
rapidly, from line to line
and page to page,
means the level of depth
is somewhat shallow, there remains
growth and coming
into adulthood by remembering home
and accepting the raw hurt
of loss. The result is imperfect,
but playful and joyful and a book
worth reading.
The poeticly inclined diva, Laura Crapper,
otherwise known as Sister Slam,
is a curvy, loud-mouthed, boot-stomping,
vest-wearing, skirt-swinging,
flame-haired graduate from the realm
of high school hell. Together
with her fellow word warrior
and best friend, Twig, hit the road
with a squealing of gravel spitting tires
and begin their Poetic Motormouth Road Trip
to the enchanted land of New Jersey,
where they plan to stand
in the circular spotlight glow
and slam words into the microphone.
Along the yellow divided road, they
discover real world realities
in the form of cops and fender benders,
lost wallets and luggage,
along with divine new possibilities,
like applause and recognition
for notebook bound phrases
spun into spoken work, and perchance,
even a bit of romance in the form
of a green-eyed Jake.
This novel, broken
into lines and rhymes,
is a fast paced read full
of fun and good times.
Though the rhythm perhaps
lacks the flow of natural dialog
and the condensed nature
of scenes and events unfolding
rapidly, from line to line
and page to page,
means the level of depth
is somewhat shallow, there remains
growth and coming
into adulthood by remembering home
and accepting the raw hurt
of loss. The result is imperfect,
but playful and joyful and a book
worth reading.
September 19, 2013
3 and 1/2 stars
The poeticly inclined diva, Laura Crapper,
otherwise known as Sister Slam,
is a curvy, loud-mouthed, boot-stomping,
vest-wearing, skirt-swinging,
flame-haired graduate from the realm
of high school hell. Together
with her fellow word warrior
and best friend, Twig, hit the road
with a squealing of gravel spitting tires
and begin their Poetic Motormouth Road Trip
to the enchanted land of New Jersey,
where they plan to stand
in the circular spotlight glow
and slam words into the microphone.
Along the yellow divided road, they
discover real world realities
in the form of cops and fender benders,
lost wallets and luggage,
along with divine new possibilities,
like applause and recognition
for notebook bound phrases
spun into spoken work, and perchance,
even a bit of romance in the form
of a green-eyed Jake.
This novel, broken
into lines and rhymes,
is a fast paced read full
of fun and good times.
Though the rhythm perhaps
lacks the flow of natural dialog
and the condensed nature
of scenes and events unfolding
rapidly, from line to line
and page to page,
means the level of depth
is somewhat shallow, there remains
growth and coming
into adulthood by remembering home
and accepting the raw hurt
of loss. The result is imperfect,
but playful and joyful and a book
worth reading.
The poeticly inclined diva, Laura Crapper,
otherwise known as Sister Slam,
is a curvy, loud-mouthed, boot-stomping,
vest-wearing, skirt-swinging,
flame-haired graduate from the realm
of high school hell. Together
with her fellow word warrior
and best friend, Twig, hit the road
with a squealing of gravel spitting tires
and begin their Poetic Motormouth Road Trip
to the enchanted land of New Jersey,
where they plan to stand
in the circular spotlight glow
and slam words into the microphone.
Along the yellow divided road, they
discover real world realities
in the form of cops and fender benders,
lost wallets and luggage,
along with divine new possibilities,
like applause and recognition
for notebook bound phrases
spun into spoken work, and perchance,
even a bit of romance in the form
of a green-eyed Jake.
This novel, broken
into lines and rhymes,
is a fast paced read full
of fun and good times.
Though the rhythm perhaps
lacks the flow of natural dialog
and the condensed nature
of scenes and events unfolding
rapidly, from line to line
and page to page,
means the level of depth
is somewhat shallow, there remains
growth and coming
into adulthood by remembering home
and accepting the raw hurt
of loss. The result is imperfect,
but playful and joyful and a book
worth reading.
June 25, 2008
I can't really pass up a juvy book offering two newly-graduated slam poets from the absolute boonies on a cross-country road trip, and this book did deliver that, along with some great lines and unexpected fun. (Newark Tooth Fairy FTW.) However, there was more "easy rhyming" than I like, meaning too many rhymes-for-the-sake-of-rhymes in this girl's opinion. I would have liked a little more thought behind the construction of the verse, something I could shove in the face of slam-haters, the way I can Alix Olson, Roger Bonair-Agard, or Marty McConnell, without necessarily abandoning the teen fluff feel. And if I'm going to be picky, a more interesting use of the fairy tale themes might have been intriguing. To me, the fairy tale aspects (dead mom, damsel in distress, dashing prince, etc) have a strong aftertaste of "been there, done that" - even when re-set on the New Jersey Turnpike or in the Nuyorican Poet's Cafe. But that's just one picky girl's opinion, and it's possible I'm just jealous not to be the young spoken-word poet taking NYC by storm.
April 26, 2015
So this week I went on a little binge of really quick reads. This book was only written in the form of slam poetry, and I really enjoyed it. I am always impressed when an author can write a complete story using have the amount of words others would and have them rhyme at the same time. So I give props to Linda High for that!
The story was cute, two friends going on a road trip to follow their dreams and almost making it. But I find myself always wanting more. With this book being poetry, I know that is hard to do, so I cannot critic it all that much for that.
Another good quick read with a little sass, attitude, love, and teens.
The story was cute, two friends going on a road trip to follow their dreams and almost making it. But I find myself always wanting more. With this book being poetry, I know that is hard to do, so I cannot critic it all that much for that.
Another good quick read with a little sass, attitude, love, and teens.
September 24, 2012
The style of the writing, cover and hook all had great potential. The content of the story fell short of matching the possibilities. Some good messages about loving yourself the way you are and having a dream and following through with it. Two small town girls vow to hit the big city with dreams of entering a poetry slam contest. Even though they fail to win it, their adventure to New York on a wing and a prayer ends up unrealistically successful beyond their wildest imagination.
December 2, 2013
It took a bit of time for me to adjust to eh rhythm of the book, but once I did, I enjoyed both the experience of reading it and the story. Yes, parts are far out, fantastical, unlikely, but this is a book about someone escaping a sad existence. Even if she had awakened at the end to find out it was a dream, it is still a good story. High school is tough on girls, and Jake reminded me of a dear friend from high school. Every high school girl should find her Jake.
Read
February 4, 2016Laura Crapper gets an e-mail advertising a poetry slam in New Jersey. Having just graduated from high school and looking for adventure beyond her father's mobile home, Laura (renamed Sister Slam) and her best friend Twig hit the road. A poetry slam appearance at Tavern on the Green gets them noticed in the Village Voice. Slam invitations around NYC follow. When Laura's father has a heart attack, they return to Pennsylvania. Some of the repetitive rhyme structures annoyed me.
May 28, 2010
To be Frank, which I'm not, this was really unrealistic, and I wasn't crazy about it. Though it was fairly inspiring. There wasn't exactly depth in the characters, I don't think. More so, they were basic constructs of stereotypical characters. It took me less than a day to read, but it wasn't really that bad.
August 3, 2011
This wasn't a terrible book exactly, it was just a laughably unrealistic fairytale about an overweight, average girl and a rich, model-looking boy falling in love and their dreams coming true and they lived happily ever after. But, the concept was a good one, I suppose. It was inspiring with it's "follow your dreams" message.
January 28, 2012
Unrealistic plot line and an annoying protagonist make this a less than thrilling read. There were some good lines: We preach the letters of/ the alphabet, and how they/ can save you, if you/ combine them just right. I love the phrase "we reeked of rhyme." But these moments were few and far between.
May 17, 2015
Reviewed here on my blog.
Not much to say about this one. The first books in prose that I've read in a long time. Not bad, basic Cinderella story.
Not much to say about this one. The first books in prose that I've read in a long time. Not bad, basic Cinderella story.
May 20, 2020
.5 stars
Pretty much the only good thing I can say about this book is that I appreciated the fat rep. Otherwise it felt like something a kid wrote thinking they were being smart and cool when in reality just looking like an idiot.
Pretty much the only good thing I can say about this book is that I appreciated the fat rep. Otherwise it felt like something a kid wrote thinking they were being smart and cool when in reality just looking like an idiot.
December 10, 2008
Too much rhyme gives me a pain in my brain.
Read
June 23, 2009ilove this book laura/sister slam went to new jersey to be in a poetry slam and on the way she was in a lot of mess
September 27, 2009
Written in poem form so you have to pay attention to follow it, but the story was interesting and not quite as predictable as I thought it would be.
September 24, 2009
it was great! I think if your a girl you will LIKE IT. if you like hot boys there is one in this book!!!!
March 10, 2010
Not very realistic and I didn't love it all that much.
June 28, 2010
Cool concept, neat cover, but terrible execution. This book was a mess. And that's me being nice.
I totally get why the rating is so low...
I totally get why the rating is so low...
March 19, 2011
funny book
April 4, 2011
I enjoyed the trip this book took me on. I liked the friend relationship but was disappointed in the end. It seemed too easy.
gave-up-on
April 20, 2011Sigh. I had such high hopes for a book comprised of a road tripa nd poetry. But it fell flat for me and I can't finish it.
Read
August 5, 2011Really easy read. Loved how much it rhymed. Good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews