In Locomotion (Putnam, 2003), Jacqueline Woodson introduced Lonnie C. Motion, a.k.a. Locomotion, a talented African American boy whose poetry helped him express his hurt and grief after the death of his parents in a fire. Now Locomotion wants to document his life for his younger sister, Lili, who is living in a different foster home. In letters to Lili, Locomotion reveals that his wonderful foster mother, Miss Edna, and her son, Rodney, are steadfast in every way. But when Miss Edna’s oldest son, Jenkins, returns from the war without a leg, his sense of grief and loss echoes Locomotion’s own pain every time he thinks about his parents. For Locomotion, the challenge is to hold on to the memories of what he once had but let go of the guilt at moving on. One of the hardest things to accept is that he would never have met Miss Edna or Rodney or Jenkins or his best friend, Clyde, were it not for his parents’ deaths. Accepting that truth, and embracing a new idea of family, doesn’t come easily, but it comes. Deeply observant, Locomotion looks at Jenkins and the war and everything around him and thinks about peace—in the world, and in his own life, and in his heart. (Ages 10–13)

Twelve-year-old Lonnie is finally feeling at home with his foster family. But because he's living apart from his little sister, Lili, he decides it's his job to be the “rememberer”—and write down everything that happens while they're growing up. Lonnie's musings are bittersweet; he's happy that he and Lili have new families, but though his new family brings him joy, it also brings new worries. With a foster brother in the army, concepts like Peace have new meaning for Lonnie.

Told through letters from Lonnie to Lili, this thought-provoking companion to Jacqueline Woodson's National Book Award finalist Locomotion tackles important issues in captivating, lyrical language. Lonnie's reflections on family, loss, love and peace will strike a note with readers of all ages.