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Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess
Sixth grade is coming to an end, and so is life as Macy McMillan knows it. Already a For Sale sign mars the front lawn of her beloved house. Soon her mother will upend their little family, adding an unwelcome stepfather and pesky six-year-old twin stepsisters. To add insult to injury, what is Macy s final sixth grade assignment? A genealogy project. Well, she'll put it off―just like those wedding centerpieces she's supposed to be making.
Just when Macy's mother ought to be sympathetic, she sends her next door to help eighty-six-year-old Iris Gillan, who is also getting ready to move―in her case, into an assisted living facility. Iris can't move a single box on her own and, worse, she doesn't know sign language. How is Macy supposed to understand her? But Iris has stories to tell, and she isn't going to let Macy's deafness stop her. Soon, through notes and books and cookies, a friendship grows. And this friendship, odd and unexpected, may be just what Macy needs to face the changes in her life.
Shari Green, author of Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles, writes free verse with the lightest touch, spinning Macy out of her old story and into a new one full of warmth and promise for the future.
Just when Macy's mother ought to be sympathetic, she sends her next door to help eighty-six-year-old Iris Gillan, who is also getting ready to move―in her case, into an assisted living facility. Iris can't move a single box on her own and, worse, she doesn't know sign language. How is Macy supposed to understand her? But Iris has stories to tell, and she isn't going to let Macy's deafness stop her. Soon, through notes and books and cookies, a friendship grows. And this friendship, odd and unexpected, may be just what Macy needs to face the changes in her life.
Shari Green, author of Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles, writes free verse with the lightest touch, spinning Macy out of her old story and into a new one full of warmth and promise for the future.
240 pages, Paperback
First published May 15, 2017
32 people are currently reading
1893 people want to read
About the author
Shari Green
13 books120 followersShari Green is an award-winning author of novels in verse. She’s also a poet, musician, and former nurse. She loves being out in nature and can often be found wandering the beaches or forest trails near her home. Shari lives with her husband on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada, on the traditional territory of the Laich-Kwil-Tach peoples.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 404 reviews
November 11, 2017
I read this book as part of my quest to write scathing reviews of all the other 2018 Silver Birch Nominees and win the award. A teacher once taught me to put other's candles out to make mine shine brighter... or something like that... I wasn't really listening.
So here it is, my list of things I hated about this book:
.....
.....
umm....
well, there was this one part.... but no... that part was actually quite wonderful too...
... maybe I could just make up a few things...
this is going to be harder than I anticipated...
Ok, I hated the part about the dragons.
There was no part about dragons you say!?!?!? WELL MAYBE I HAD A DIFFERENT VERSION!??!
Fine.
I loved the book.
The whole thing.
Darn you Shari Green and your wonderfully touching book. You and your eloquent free style and beautiful characters. With lines like, "I've found it's quite difficult to be sad while you're eating a cookie."
I hate to say it, it burns a little inside, but this book deserves many, many votes. And if not votes, it deserves to be read. Because in truth, we don't write these books for votes, we write them so that children can step inside the shoes of our characters and see the world differently. Through the eyes of Macy, children will see the difficulties of a young girl facing many life changes, but who overcomes them brilliantly with a little help from Iris, an elderly lady with more than a little spunk.
Great job Shari! Loved the book! See you at the Festival of Trees!
Alex
So here it is, my list of things I hated about this book:
.....
.....
umm....
well, there was this one part.... but no... that part was actually quite wonderful too...
... maybe I could just make up a few things...
this is going to be harder than I anticipated...
Ok, I hated the part about the dragons.
There was no part about dragons you say!?!?!? WELL MAYBE I HAD A DIFFERENT VERSION!??!
Fine.
I loved the book.
The whole thing.
Darn you Shari Green and your wonderfully touching book. You and your eloquent free style and beautiful characters. With lines like, "I've found it's quite difficult to be sad while you're eating a cookie."
I hate to say it, it burns a little inside, but this book deserves many, many votes. And if not votes, it deserves to be read. Because in truth, we don't write these books for votes, we write them so that children can step inside the shoes of our characters and see the world differently. Through the eyes of Macy, children will see the difficulties of a young girl facing many life changes, but who overcomes them brilliantly with a little help from Iris, an elderly lady with more than a little spunk.
Great job Shari! Loved the book! See you at the Festival of Trees!
Alex
April 13, 2022
4 stars
I adored this book!
“If you love something you should love it extravagantly.”
I adored this book!
Audio book source: Hoopla
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrator: Tara Sands
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Contemporary Middle Grade
Length: 2h 36m
May 11, 2017
Perfect middle grade free verse! I am so excited to share this with my elementary and middle school students, as I am always talking up free verse, but can't find enough excellent examples to share with them. Macy's story is heartwarming and thought-provoking, and her relationship with her elderly neighbor is a wonderful one for kids to read about. I love their connection over baking and books - I especially loved the book references throughout the story, like to the books "El Deafo" and "The Tale of Despereaux" - books that kids today will know and be able to relate to. Kids will also be able to connect with the storylines relating to parent remarriage and moving, and will be able to look into the world of someone who has lost their hearing, much as they have enjoyed doing with El Deafo. I can't wait to read this author's other middle grade novel Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles and order both of these titles for my libraries.
I received a digital advance review copy in exchange for an honest review - all opinions are my own.
I received a digital advance review copy in exchange for an honest review - all opinions are my own.
December 11, 2017
A story told in poetry of a girl dealing with a move to a new home, her mother marrying so Macy gains a new family, fighting with her best friend, finishing her last year at her middle school....so a bunch of things. While also making a new friend of her elderly neighbour. And learning a lot about being open to new experiences. Well written and sweet, though I did think Macy's change of heart was a little too quickly wrapped up near the end.
August 5, 2020
8/4/20 Even better the second time. Macy learns the meaning of family as she and her mother prepare for Mom's upcoming Wedding to Alan.
6/18/19 Macy's mother is about to marry Alan. That means he will become Macy's stepdad and she will have younger twin sisters. Macy is less than excited about the new family dynamics. She is also on the outs with her friend Olivia. How could helping her neighbor Iris downsize as she prepares to move into in an assisted living facility possibly make a difference?
This is a cute story about blending families, adapting to unasked for changes, and friendship. Fans of realistic stories like Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina, Real Friends by Shannon Hale or El Deafo by Cece Bell will enjoy this one.
6/18/19 Macy's mother is about to marry Alan. That means he will become Macy's stepdad and she will have younger twin sisters. Macy is less than excited about the new family dynamics. She is also on the outs with her friend Olivia. How could helping her neighbor Iris downsize as she prepares to move into in an assisted living facility possibly make a difference?
This is a cute story about blending families, adapting to unasked for changes, and friendship. Fans of realistic stories like Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina, Real Friends by Shannon Hale or El Deafo by Cece Bell will enjoy this one.
March 23, 2017
First things first: Shari Green is a fantastic writer. The way the words and images roll through the story are inspiring. And this story, about a young deaf girl whose life is changing thanks to her mother's decision to marry, is heartwarming and heartbreaking all at once. But the real gem here is Macy's relationship with her next-door-neighbour, a once vivacious woman who is soon to leave her home thanks to a diagnosis of early dementia. The relationship between Macy and Iris is real and true and wonderful, and fir me, makes this book not just good, but great. This would be a wonderful addition to every school library and curriculum. I'm not going to lie - I sobbed at the end! Loved Macy so much!
April 13, 2017
I feel really badly about rating this only three stars, especially since it is trending not only four stars, but five as well. And it isn't because the book isn't well written, it is, although in a weird, way, with almost blank verse like sentences, lower case, no punctuation. It took a little to get used to it. No, that wasn't why I'm rating it so low.
It is a pleasant enough story of a deaf girl whose mother is getting married, and moving into his house, and who doesn't want to move and lose her mother, who she has had to herself all this time. I kept thinking it was going to be more than that, that the next door neighbor, Iris, was going to be the focal point. She had so many adventures, so many different friends, I thought for sure the story would be about her, and it was, sort of.
But, it wasn't. And the deafness? Everyone was either able to finger spell, or knew how to speak, and Macy rarely had the breaks in not knowing that the girl in You're Welcome, Universe where words were left out if she couldn't read their lips. I felt that story was more realistic about the Deaf community than this one was.
So, for not being daring, or terribly exciting, this book gets three stars.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
It is a pleasant enough story of a deaf girl whose mother is getting married, and moving into his house, and who doesn't want to move and lose her mother, who she has had to herself all this time. I kept thinking it was going to be more than that, that the next door neighbor, Iris, was going to be the focal point. She had so many adventures, so many different friends, I thought for sure the story would be about her, and it was, sort of.
But, it wasn't. And the deafness? Everyone was either able to finger spell, or knew how to speak, and Macy rarely had the breaks in not knowing that the girl in You're Welcome, Universe where words were left out if she couldn't read their lips. I felt that story was more realistic about the Deaf community than this one was.
So, for not being daring, or terribly exciting, this book gets three stars.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
November 15, 2017
I read an early version of this story and it fully lives up to the magic, tenderness, and love of Green's first verse novel. Heartwarming and lovely. It's everything classic middle grade should be.
February 25, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! My first year teaching fifth grade, my students thought I'd really like it. I'm finally reading and they were right! They thought the sign language was really cool. I think there are some great teaching points (like author's craft, studying metaphors, analzying characters and how their feelings change throughout the text). If I went back to intermediate, this book would definitely be in my library and probably part of student book clubs!
April 13, 2022
FOUR POINT SEVEN-FIVE STARS
MACY McMILLAN AND THE RAINBOW GODDESS
● Macy: a deaf 6th grader
● her mom is remarrying
● moving
● a genealogy project
● Macy created a book made of tree leaves for “people who feel like home”
● helps her 86-year-old neighbor, Iris, pack to move
● Iris is named after the Rainbow Goddess
● friendship
● young middle-grade genre
MACY McMILLAN AND THE RAINBOW GODDESS
● Macy: a deaf 6th grader
● her mom is remarrying
● moving
● a genealogy project
● Macy created a book made of tree leaves for “people who feel like home”
● helps her 86-year-old neighbor, Iris, pack to move
● Iris is named after the Rainbow Goddess
● friendship
● young middle-grade genre
Audiobook source: NetGalley
Narrator: Tara Sands
Length: 2H 36M
June 11, 2018
I really enjoyed Macy's story, and I am looking forward to discussing it more with colleagues at our summer book camp!
January 25, 2017
This is a lovely story. The main character is mainly dealing with the uncertainty of her mother's upcoming wedding and her stepfather and stepsisters. This will be relatable to so many young readers. She's also dealing with familiar friend problems and other issues of self-identity. I loved the way threads of gardening and baking and favorite books were woven through the verse to make it all feel fresh.
December 12, 2017
I cannot tell you how much I ADORED Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess. The relationship between Iris and Macy, the beautiful way that books connected them, and the poetic language are just some of the qualities that made this one of my favorites of 2017. In addition to being a wonderful story told in verse, the main character’s deafness adds a unique perspective, and would make this a valuable addition to classrooms.
August 7, 2018
Everything is changing for Macy. She lost her temper with her best friend and seems to have lost her friendship, her mother is getting married and she's not happy about losing her "team of two" family, and the neighbor next door, Iris (not the flower, the rainbow goddess), who she's just getting to know, is getting ready to move into an assisted living/nursing home. On top of all this, she's deaf (caused by meningitis when she was little) and she often finds herself left out of conversations.
I love the way the author signals the reader when Macy, her mom, her classroom interpreter, etc are signing or fingerspelling.
I love all the literary allusions that are woven throughout.
Iris is my favorite character. I want to grow old like her! (Maybe without the oxygen tank, though...)
I love the way the author signals the reader when Macy, her mom, her classroom interpreter, etc are signing or fingerspelling.
I love all the literary allusions that are woven throughout.
Iris is my favorite character. I want to grow old like her! (Maybe without the oxygen tank, though...)
April 10, 2019
Macy is a 6th grader who lost her hearing at about 3 years of age and is now dealing with having to move and accept a step-family. Her story is heartwarming and thought provoking, and I loved her relationship with her elderly neighbor. At first Macy is hesitant about going and helping her to pack her books as she moves to a nursing home but they connect through books and baking. There is book title dropping galore and I love when books refer to each other. I listened to this story and it was great but as it is written in free verse I will be "reading" at least part of the book again to feel it from the poetry angle.
March 7, 2023
Another wonderful middle grade book! Wish there were all these amazing books when I was younger. I love the themes of books and baking and telling your stories.
October 19, 2022
A little simple, but then, it's meant to be accessible to 4th to 6th grade. It seems to me that the deafness was handled accurately and respectfully. There were a few loose ends, but then there always are in life (unless I missed it, we don't learn why Iris was so vehemently opposed to being named after the flower). But the intergenerational friendship is lovely, the (about-to-be) blended family dynamics are plausible, and the emphasis on cookies and stories is of course engaging.
---
(Next two paragraphs not particular to only this book. Just some thoughts that I've seen evidence need sharing and do apply here as well as elsewhere.)
It is a novel-in-verse. Each page is not an actual poem, but neither is the text is not just chopped up narrative. Try reading it aloud and you'll hear the rhythms and assonances, etc., and read carefully if you want to see why this is more poetic in the sense of concise, metaphoric, focused, etc. than a straight narrative.
If you have trouble with novels-in-verse in principle, think of Beowulf, The Wasteland , The Faerie Queene and other epic poems.
This is not the best NiV for kids that I've read, but it's a great place to start.
---
(Next two paragraphs not particular to only this book. Just some thoughts that I've seen evidence need sharing and do apply here as well as elsewhere.)
It is a novel-in-verse. Each page is not an actual poem, but neither is the text is not just chopped up narrative. Try reading it aloud and you'll hear the rhythms and assonances, etc., and read carefully if you want to see why this is more poetic in the sense of concise, metaphoric, focused, etc. than a straight narrative.
If you have trouble with novels-in-verse in principle, think of Beowulf, The Wasteland , The Faerie Queene and other epic poems.
This is not the best NiV for kids that I've read, but it's a great place to start.
March 11, 2023
Macy is death and is facing something she doesn't want to face, her Mother is getting Married. Her new step dad she doesn't trust and definitely doesn't like his girl twins. She got into a fight with her best friend and her mother is making her work next door with her elderly neighbor. What else could go wrong for Macy. But as she gets to know her neighbor she starts to understand herself better. Oh she still makes mistakes like not trusting her new step dad but she is trying... I thought this story was precious. I loved Macy and start to see how change can truly effect a child. I never knew how much but for Macy change was almost to much for her. I loved this story and glad to see how we as parents needs to be more patient with our children during change. Highly recommend!!
July 28, 2019
My niece recommended this book to me and I'm so glad she did. The story is equal parts heart breaking, heart warming, and entirely aspiring.
I was not expecting the writing to be prose, but it fit so perfectly with the story and read so naturally. As someone proficient in ASL the prose almost seemed to lend itself to the concept-based structure of ASL in some ways while still being perfectly readable English. Which is pretty much perfect as the narrator is a young deaf girl.
While this book is clearly geared towards younger readers, I think it's a perfect quick read for any age. Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to bake some sugar & spice cookies.
I was not expecting the writing to be prose, but it fit so perfectly with the story and read so naturally. As someone proficient in ASL the prose almost seemed to lend itself to the concept-based structure of ASL in some ways while still being perfectly readable English. Which is pretty much perfect as the narrator is a young deaf girl.
While this book is clearly geared towards younger readers, I think it's a perfect quick read for any age. Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to bake some sugar & spice cookies.
April 9, 2018
Wow. As an adult, this book really spoke to me. Powerfully. It actually has many themes, but the strongest for me was the relationship that formed between the 11-year-old girl, Macy, and her elderly neighbor, Iris, – who ended up being the rainbow goddess of the title. It’s all about the value of our stories, our memories, our “family.” Since it’s written in verse, it didn’t take very long to read - and it was lovely. I’m going to want to read this one again.
January 21, 2019
I love this book. Macy is a great character who just happens to be hearing impaired. She is plucky and there is a great cast of supporting characters include her next door neighbor Iris. Winner of the Schneider Family Award. Give to fans of El Deafo.
February 14, 2018
Tugged at heartstrings left right and center. I also really want cookies now.
September 28, 2021
Sweet book, good for the lower end of the recommended age range (8-12 year olds).
November 17, 2022
3.5 STARS - Told in a poetic/free verse style, this is a heartwarming story about Macy, a deaf girl who isn't happy with the many changes life is throwing at her. She feels frustrated that her life is being upended, isolated from her hearing friends and family but thankfully she finds solace and friendship with an unlikely person - her elderly next-door neighbour.
I am a sucker for intergenerational friendship and when you add in a Deaf/deaf character, you know I'll be picking up the book. This is a sweet story that follows Macy, a deaf tween girl whose life is in a shambles - she's on the outs with her BFF, her mother is about to get remarried, and Macy is not happy about leaving her house or her newfound friendship with her octogenarian neighbour, Iris.
"If you love something you should love it extravagantly."
I enjoyed how ASL was incorporated and how well it fit with the poetic prose of the storytelling. Witnessing interactions Macy has with the hearing people in her life, at home and at school, readers see how often she is left out of conversations and experiences because others haven't learned to sign and how isolating that feels for her. The value of inclusion is a pivotal lesson in this book.
Young readers will connect with Macy's struggles and worries and through her learn many life lessons:
• the importance of embracing change and new experiences
• struggles with self-identity and the value of knowing our family's stories
• the importance of inclusion
• the value of finding connection and friendship with others
• family and friendship come in many wonderful forms
This was an endearing read that is perfect for kids 8-12 years of age. It's a story that will leave you with a smile on your face and a desire to bake cookies and introduce yourself to your elderly neighbour.
March 15, 2018
Macy is unhappy that her mother is getting married. She doesn't want to move out of their house, losing her wildflower garden and the closeness of feeling that it's just her and her mother against the world. To make things worse, she gets in a fight with her best friend and so has no one to sympathize with her, until she finds a new friend in her elderly next-door neighbor, who teaches Macy the value of sending messages of love through the art of cookie baking.
The good things: I very much like that Macy's deafness feels like a side note more than the focus of the story - she's a normal character who just happens to be deaf, and although the issues she faces every day because of that deafness aren't ignored, the story is clearly much more than that. Also, the neighbor is a fantastic character and I love her to bits.
The not-so-great things: It's written in free verse, but I really think it would have been better in prose. It seems to me that the free verse doesn't flow well at all, and instead mostly feels as if it's trying too hard to be poetic. Also, Green has an 'every life is a story being told' theme going on, and I know this because she makes sure to point it out every few pages. It's too much. If she had just let the story itself explain this, it would have worked much better; as it is, her efforts to explain it for us was a big distraction for me.
The good things: I very much like that Macy's deafness feels like a side note more than the focus of the story - she's a normal character who just happens to be deaf, and although the issues she faces every day because of that deafness aren't ignored, the story is clearly much more than that. Also, the neighbor is a fantastic character and I love her to bits.
The not-so-great things: It's written in free verse, but I really think it would have been better in prose. It seems to me that the free verse doesn't flow well at all, and instead mostly feels as if it's trying too hard to be poetic. Also, Green has an 'every life is a story being told' theme going on, and I know this because she makes sure to point it out every few pages. It's too much. If she had just let the story itself explain this, it would have worked much better; as it is, her efforts to explain it for us was a big distraction for me.
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February 29, 2020 Alternative Assessment:
Rationale: Since this story is written in verse, I would want students to explore the genre of poetry by creating their own poem. While most students may be familiar with acrostics, or haikus, many might not know how to write a found poem. A found poem allows the reader to take words, lines or phrases from a certain part of a text (of their choosing) to then restructure and arrange them to create a new poem. This creative assessment will get readers thinking and reflecting about the deeper meaning of the story, the characters, and the word choice. Miller mentions that when there is a shift from memorization of details to fill in a multiple choice test to an "overall appreciation of the book" it can change how a student reads (Miller, 2009, p. 132). A found poem is a great tool to help students appreciate the book and is an alternative to a book report mentioned on Mitchell's list of 50 (1998).
Directions: Choose a powerful or interesting part of the story. Create a found poem using words, lines or phrases from the text to arrange into a new poem. After creating your new poem, explain why you chose this part of the text for your found poem. Be sure to include connections, textual evidence, and/or rationale for words chosen, etc. to elaborate on your explanation.
Example:
Found Poem
Like a butterfly landing
The fluttering ideas sink
They come from within my soul
As the words pour out
Some shaken
Some unfolding
Some blossoming
Some resting
All looking to find
A story
A home
My found poem was inspired by an eye-opening moment for Macy. She has just been welcomed home by her new sisters and stepfather and finally gets a glimpse of a happy future there (Green, 2017, p. 233). This page puts aside Macy’s fear of losing her mom as a teammate and shows her understanding of this new beginning. I chose to use these words because they express hope, overcoming obstacles, and the future. I knew I had to use this page after some of the words, like “flutters”, “sink”, “soul”, and “home” called out to me (p. 233). I also chose this page because of what a butterfly can represent: change and/or growth. In this story, Macy learned to accept these new changes in her life and really began to understand that every person has a story. Macy is the butterfly.
My found poem has some long lines and some short lines. I think that word spacing/length can help readers visualize what is happening. For example, when Macy sees Ms. Gillan’s library for the first time the words “shelves and” are written in a way that I could picture all of the shelves of books (p. 20). Macy also describes a scene with her twin sisters where they are rocking in a rocking chair (p. 177). The way these words are written helped me to visualize the rocking chair moving.
I also felt Macy’s emotion when she describes the feeling she has when her mom tells her they got an offer on the house (p. 80). Green’s way of giving each of those verbs “tumbling” and “landing” a line, followed by the line “in my stomach” was purposeful in creating that emotion (p.80). I purposefully wanted the reader to pause after each verb so I made each one a line, like Green did in this part of the text.
APA:
Green, S. (2017). Macy McMillian and the rainbow goddess. Canada: Pajama Press.
Miller, D. (2009). The book whisper. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Mitchell, Diana. (1998). Fifty alternatives to the book report. English Journal 87(1) : 92-95.
Rationale: Since this story is written in verse, I would want students to explore the genre of poetry by creating their own poem. While most students may be familiar with acrostics, or haikus, many might not know how to write a found poem. A found poem allows the reader to take words, lines or phrases from a certain part of a text (of their choosing) to then restructure and arrange them to create a new poem. This creative assessment will get readers thinking and reflecting about the deeper meaning of the story, the characters, and the word choice. Miller mentions that when there is a shift from memorization of details to fill in a multiple choice test to an "overall appreciation of the book" it can change how a student reads (Miller, 2009, p. 132). A found poem is a great tool to help students appreciate the book and is an alternative to a book report mentioned on Mitchell's list of 50 (1998).
Directions: Choose a powerful or interesting part of the story. Create a found poem using words, lines or phrases from the text to arrange into a new poem. After creating your new poem, explain why you chose this part of the text for your found poem. Be sure to include connections, textual evidence, and/or rationale for words chosen, etc. to elaborate on your explanation.
Example:
Found Poem
Like a butterfly landing
The fluttering ideas sink
They come from within my soul
As the words pour out
Some shaken
Some unfolding
Some blossoming
Some resting
All looking to find
A story
A home
My found poem was inspired by an eye-opening moment for Macy. She has just been welcomed home by her new sisters and stepfather and finally gets a glimpse of a happy future there (Green, 2017, p. 233). This page puts aside Macy’s fear of losing her mom as a teammate and shows her understanding of this new beginning. I chose to use these words because they express hope, overcoming obstacles, and the future. I knew I had to use this page after some of the words, like “flutters”, “sink”, “soul”, and “home” called out to me (p. 233). I also chose this page because of what a butterfly can represent: change and/or growth. In this story, Macy learned to accept these new changes in her life and really began to understand that every person has a story. Macy is the butterfly.
My found poem has some long lines and some short lines. I think that word spacing/length can help readers visualize what is happening. For example, when Macy sees Ms. Gillan’s library for the first time the words “shelves and” are written in a way that I could picture all of the shelves of books (p. 20). Macy also describes a scene with her twin sisters where they are rocking in a rocking chair (p. 177). The way these words are written helped me to visualize the rocking chair moving.
I also felt Macy’s emotion when she describes the feeling she has when her mom tells her they got an offer on the house (p. 80). Green’s way of giving each of those verbs “tumbling” and “landing” a line, followed by the line “in my stomach” was purposeful in creating that emotion (p.80). I purposefully wanted the reader to pause after each verb so I made each one a line, like Green did in this part of the text.
APA:
Green, S. (2017). Macy McMillian and the rainbow goddess. Canada: Pajama Press.
Miller, D. (2009). The book whisper. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Mitchell, Diana. (1998). Fifty alternatives to the book report. English Journal 87(1) : 92-95.
March 14, 2018
I'm not really impressed with the Schneider awards this year. Macy, who is deaf, is one unhappy camper. Mom has had the nerve to get remarried again. At least Mom properly punished Macy's dramatic attempt to derail the marriage. But I found Macy's change from sullen brat to somewhat nice kid too abrupt, too unbelievable. The one part of that change that rang true was her apology to her friend. It is an ok book. But I'm beginning to think that I could slap words on a few hundred pages and win this award if I made the main character deaf and a kid. I wish they simply would not hand out the award if there are no good winners. And I'm not a fan of "free verse" poetry! Very few people can carry this off well and I don't think it added to this story at all to be told in this format. I'm tempted to give her back the third star for her honoring Beverly Cleary in this book by giving the school librarian the same last name. As many know, Beverly Cleary was a librarian before she found a much better career for her talents.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2019
I love novels in verse and this one didn't disappoint. Macy doesn't want her mom to get remarried and doesn't want to sell her home to move in with her new father and his family. She's also had a falling out with her best friend, Olivia so her feelings are all over the place. When her mom volunteers her up to help her old, seemingly grouchy, neighbor named Iris, Macy discovers that people may not always be who they seem. Macy is an interesting character who loves gardening, reading, and is deaf. This book is full of positive and inspirational messages such "You are loved, you belong" and "if we let fear or worry stop us from trying...from turning the page...we'll never find out how great our story could be". Bonus positives, there are lots of references to famous children's books and the school librarian's name is Mrs. Cleary!
May 23, 2019
An endearing story about life's changes, life's struggles, and life's joys. Macy is facing changes, big ones....friends moving on, a new step-family, and leaving her beloved neighborhood and backyard garden behind. Navigating these changes is difficult.
Luckily, Macy has found a kindred spirit (yes, the reference to Anne is intentional) in Iris, an elderly neighbor who is going through huge changes herself. They bond over cookies and stories. And, in the end, Macy finds a way to move on with grace and a rainbow goddess in her corner.
Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess will warm your heart and give you food for thought.
Luckily, Macy has found a kindred spirit (yes, the reference to Anne is intentional) in Iris, an elderly neighbor who is going through huge changes herself. They bond over cookies and stories. And, in the end, Macy finds a way to move on with grace and a rainbow goddess in her corner.
Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess will warm your heart and give you food for thought.
February 25, 2021
I love books that feature the love of books. In this sweet book written in verse we follow a young deaf girl named Macy who is feeling all alone. Her mother has announced she is getting married, which means that they will be uprooted and moving neighborhoods and schools. Her mother volunteers Macy to help an elderly next door neighbor named Iris who needs help packing up before she enters an assisted living facility. At first Macy would rather be anywhere else but soon Iris and her form a connection and a love of books is shared. The ending was wonderful and I liked how there were no loose ends.
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