Status
Checked out
Due 20-06-2021
Call number
Genres
Publication
London : Bloomsbury, 2013.
Description
Twelve-year-old Kasienka and her mother have immigrated to Coventry, England from Poland, searching for Kasienka's father, but everyone is unfriendly except for an African neighbor and a boy Kasienka meets at the swimming pool, which is her only refuge from an alien society.
User reviews
LibraryThing member jogreenway
A must-read for anyone working in a secondary school with Polish immigrants. Beautifully describes the move from Poland to England from the perspective of a 12-year old girl. Can be read very quickly. Layout very unusual. Carnegie long list 2013. Very enjoyable. Poignant. Summarises life in England
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in 2013 very accurately. Show Less
LibraryThing member alidevnz
I just finished this and I am speechless. It is beautiful but raw. The reader sees the life of a new immigrant young girl through her eyes and it's all told in verse/poetry. It didn't strike a wrong note - it just felt perfect from first to last page. Highly recommended.
great provocation for
great provocation for
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talking about: immigration, racism, bullying, coming of age, empathy, kindness. Show Less
LibraryThing member klarusu
On the tide of her mother's hopes, carrying nothing more than the pieces of her family and her belongings in a laundry bag, Kasienka is washed up in Britain searching for the father that left them so abruptly when he left their home in Poland with no more than a brief note and much less than a
The Weight of Water is an unusual book. Told entirely in verse, there is the expectation that it will read like a series of poems or an exercise in literary styling. Instead, Crossan seamlessly crafts a story where Kasienka and the cast of supporting characters come alive from the outset, the verse making access to the characters more immediate and direct than a prose novel. Within a page or two, the verse disappears, replaced by Kasienka's voice as she tells of the painful journey she takes to become accepted in her new home and to accept her family with all their limitations.
The Weight of Water is a book of differences. It is an immigrant's perspective of their adopted land and of the myriad of people who share it with them. However, it is also a book of similarities, as Kasienka slowly understands that beneath the diversity, the common desire for acceptance binds even enemies tightly. It is a story of the discomfort of adolescence, one that transcends international boundaries, and it is here that Crossan's empathy for her protagonist stands out in a perfect portrait of the painful journey Kasienka makes to unearth herself from beneath the layers of expectation placed on her. It is a story of loss, not just of her native land but of the childhood image she has of her parents as she discovers they are flawed and yet both less and more than the people she though them to be. Ultimately, it is a story of freedom though, which for Kasienka comes in the waters of the local pool as she finds her grace and strength in the furrows she cleaves as she swims. The water is not cleansing but nourishing, and as Kasienka carves the water with a singular purpose, we are left with a sense that a stronger girl will emerge with a sense of purpose as she carves a place for herself in the complicated world of adulthood.
This was an innovative book and it is wonderful to see a young adult novel that is unafraid of experimenting with textual form. While Crossan does not always get the 'Polishness' of Kasienka and her family quite right, with the occasional jarring note that would only really be noticeable to someone who has had close contact with Poles, it is vastly out-weighed by her ability to realistically convey the acute agony of adolescence and a child's view of the pain of a family break-up. It is a daring but quiet novel, in the best sense of the word and comes highly recommended.
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suitable explanation. So begins this beautifully recounted tale of a young girl coming of age in a strange country amongst the shattered pieces of the family life she once knew.The Weight of Water is an unusual book. Told entirely in verse, there is the expectation that it will read like a series of poems or an exercise in literary styling. Instead, Crossan seamlessly crafts a story where Kasienka and the cast of supporting characters come alive from the outset, the verse making access to the characters more immediate and direct than a prose novel. Within a page or two, the verse disappears, replaced by Kasienka's voice as she tells of the painful journey she takes to become accepted in her new home and to accept her family with all their limitations.
The Weight of Water is a book of differences. It is an immigrant's perspective of their adopted land and of the myriad of people who share it with them. However, it is also a book of similarities, as Kasienka slowly understands that beneath the diversity, the common desire for acceptance binds even enemies tightly. It is a story of the discomfort of adolescence, one that transcends international boundaries, and it is here that Crossan's empathy for her protagonist stands out in a perfect portrait of the painful journey Kasienka makes to unearth herself from beneath the layers of expectation placed on her. It is a story of loss, not just of her native land but of the childhood image she has of her parents as she discovers they are flawed and yet both less and more than the people she though them to be. Ultimately, it is a story of freedom though, which for Kasienka comes in the waters of the local pool as she finds her grace and strength in the furrows she cleaves as she swims. The water is not cleansing but nourishing, and as Kasienka carves the water with a singular purpose, we are left with a sense that a stronger girl will emerge with a sense of purpose as she carves a place for herself in the complicated world of adulthood.
This was an innovative book and it is wonderful to see a young adult novel that is unafraid of experimenting with textual form. While Crossan does not always get the 'Polishness' of Kasienka and her family quite right, with the occasional jarring note that would only really be noticeable to someone who has had close contact with Poles, it is vastly out-weighed by her ability to realistically convey the acute agony of adolescence and a child's view of the pain of a family break-up. It is a daring but quiet novel, in the best sense of the word and comes highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member emren
I received this book free of charge as an Advanced Readers Copy from the Texas Library Association 2013 conference.
I was hesitant to pick this book up when I noticed it was written in verse. However, when I read that it was narrative rather than poems, I put aside my bias and reservations and dove
Kasienka and her mother emigrate to England in search of her father. This book of verse chronicles Kasienka's struggles with a new school in a new country. She watches the devastating search for her father, is forced to accept the nickname Cassie, and is tormented by her female classmates in the cruel and unusual ways that middle school girls are best at. This is a tale of being different, of coming of age and of rebirth. It was very easy to read and incredibly touching. I think that everyone feels like an outcast sometimes and because of that it was very easy to relate to Kasienka.
I highly recommend this book.
I was hesitant to pick this book up when I noticed it was written in verse. However, when I read that it was narrative rather than poems, I put aside my bias and reservations and dove
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in. I'm so glad that I did. Kasienka and her mother emigrate to England in search of her father. This book of verse chronicles Kasienka's struggles with a new school in a new country. She watches the devastating search for her father, is forced to accept the nickname Cassie, and is tormented by her female classmates in the cruel and unusual ways that middle school girls are best at. This is a tale of being different, of coming of age and of rebirth. It was very easy to read and incredibly touching. I think that everyone feels like an outcast sometimes and because of that it was very easy to relate to Kasienka.
I highly recommend this book.
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LibraryThing member celerydog
Satisfying novel-in-verse dealing with a Polish mother and daughter immigrating to 21C Britain, in search of the missing father. Female protagonist develops through the challenges life throws her. Realistic supporting characters. Good pick for 2013 Carnegie Medal shortlist.
LibraryThing member abcrane
Generally not liking poetry, I really enjoyed this book. Poems are presented in clear language with a clear and present purpose. The Weight of Water will appeal and touch any current or former swimmer, as well as those readers that may not feel like they are in control of any aspect of their lives.
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It is a fun and quick read sure to make a positive impression of poetry on the reader. Show Less
LibraryThing member Ma_Washigeri
First dipped into the poems in the charity shop without realising it was a novel. Then read it cover to cover trying to go slowly. The narrative thread drives you on through the book so that it is really hard to stop reading one poem after another and the book is finished far too quickly. I loved
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the voice of the girl combined with the maturity of the author. Both shine through together similar to that of other favourite teenage girl characters (Dido, Emma Graham). And since finishing I have been dipping back into individual poems. Shall have to keep this book or give it away to someone special. Show Less
LibraryThing member ellsie98
When I first started this book, I was uncertain as I famously do not get on with poetry at all, and the entire novel was written in that style. I think that this really added to the uniqueness and emotion of the novel, which encouraged me into Kaseinka's shoes as she moved from Poland to Coventry
However, I do have to say that the raw emotion and feeling of the book, combined with the fact that it entailed no prose, was the only highlight of the book. In short, it was a story about a normal person, and a situation that people really live in - and although I would normally avoid such a book, this one surprised me.
I loved the main character, and the way her emotions were portrayed by the use of poetry as opposed to prose. I think it allowed us, as readers, to see much deeper into her mind, as instead of spending 80% of the book recounting what happened, a similar amount was spent showing us how Kasienka felt about everything that happened. And because the book was a poetry anthology, There was a lot more room for this and it made more sense to the reader to have such a vast amount of emotion, rather than in prose, which can sound repetitive and boring.
On my list of Carnegie books I want to win, I would place this second under "Code Name Verity".
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in search of her father.However, I do have to say that the raw emotion and feeling of the book, combined with the fact that it entailed no prose, was the only highlight of the book. In short, it was a story about a normal person, and a situation that people really live in - and although I would normally avoid such a book, this one surprised me.
I loved the main character, and the way her emotions were portrayed by the use of poetry as opposed to prose. I think it allowed us, as readers, to see much deeper into her mind, as instead of spending 80% of the book recounting what happened, a similar amount was spent showing us how Kasienka felt about everything that happened. And because the book was a poetry anthology, There was a lot more room for this and it made more sense to the reader to have such a vast amount of emotion, rather than in prose, which can sound repetitive and boring.
On my list of Carnegie books I want to win, I would place this second under "Code Name Verity".
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LibraryThing member jegammon
Response - This book is written in free verse. I am not used to this style of writing, but I think that the author did a beautiful job telling a complex story but using brevity of words. The topics and themes are difficult, so I'd recommend this book for middle school and up.
Curricular connection
Curricular connection
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- I would choose bits and pieces of the book to use as examples if teaching poetry. I would also use sections to teach issues of immigration, alienation, and peer pressure. Show Less
LibraryThing member ddbrown201
Really good novel in verse about a girl who moves to a England from Poland and is bulled at her new school.
LibraryThing member Cheryl_in_CC_NV
At first I thought this was going to be just another 'issues' book about an immigrant fitting in, written in free verse because that's kinda trendy right now (re' Inside Out and Back Again), and much of it is simply that. ?�It's probably a pretty good book anyway.
?áBut the thing that gets me is
?á(And yes, I do know about this from personal experience, so don't preach at me in the comments if you disagree.)
?áBut the thing that gets me is
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that Mother dragged this little girl away from a happy life with her grandmother, to a new country with a new language, on a cockamamie scheme to find the father who skipped out on them. ?áAnd while hunting up and down the streets of London she drags the girl along as interpreter, and when tired she drinks. ?áAnd the girl blames herself for not being a good enough help-meet to mom?! ?áI'm sorry, our children are not our possessions. ?áWe need to be less selfish and do what's right for them, not what we just want. ?áAnd children should do what's right for them, and not be loyal to an adult who is acting like a child. ?á(And yes, I do know about this from personal experience, so don't preach at me in the comments if you disagree.)
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LibraryThing member HeatherLINC
This is a poignant little book about Kasienka, a young Polish girl who moves to England. Told in verse, the reader experiences Kasienka's pain and feelings of alienation as she is teased and bullied based on her appearance. Ultimately, however, her strength of spirit comes shining through despite
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everything she has to endure. A touching read about the experiences of one young immigrant. Show Less
LibraryThing member Ma_Washigeri
First dipped into the poems in the charity shop without realising it was a novel. Then read it cover to cover trying to go slowly. The narrative thread drives you on through the book so that it is really hard to stop reading one poem after another and the book is finished far too quickly. I loved
Show More
the voice of the girl combined with the maturity of the author. Both shine through together similar to that of other favourite teenage girl characters (Dido, Emma Graham). And since finishing I have been dipping back into individual poems. Shall have to keep this book or give it away to someone special. Show Less
Awards
Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing (Nominee — 2013)
Waverton Good Read Award (Longlist — 2012)
UKLA Book Award (Shortlist — 2013)
The White Ravens (2013)
Rhode Island Teen Book Award (Nominee — 2015)
The Best Children's Books of the Year (Nine to Twelve — 2014)
Language
Original publication date
2012
Physical description
227 p.; 20 cm
ISBN
9781408830239
Other editions
The Weight of Water (class set of 30) by Sarah Crossan (Paperback)
The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan (Paperback)
The weight of water by Sarah Crossan (Paper Book)
The weight of water by Sarah Crossan (Paper Book)
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