The Handmaid's Tale

 

By Margaret Atwood 

    This book is not for the weak of heart and is intended for a more mature audience.  This content is definitely more mature than most of the books that I present in this format.  Which does not mean that it is not relevant ( it is!) and it is assuredly worthy of a read.  First let me explain why I decided to read this book.  After the repeal of Roe v. Wade - I watched several videos of women rallying in opposition dressed as the Handmaid.  Being a curious individual I wanted to read, the correlations between our times and this book.  In advent of these troubling times and the actions of the Supreme Court, this book is indeed concerning.  

    This is a dystopian tale set in the future, after a moral cleansing of the masses.  Women, of child bearing age and ability, are now concerned sacred vessels to be utilized in procreation.  There is no love in this book, no passion only the cold attempt at creating life. Religious zealots have overtaken taken over the United States, and the land of the free has become a regimented military zone.   Offred is living in a commander's home under very strict guidelines.  She has a specific diet, a regulated daily walk with another handmaid, in which they do the daily shopping, with coupons that she receives from the house cook.  During their walk they are allowed some "freedom" on their course of travel.  Most often they check the wall, where criminals' corpses are displayed as a warning to everyone.  

    As the tale progresses, the reader is awarded brief glimpses of a happier time.  When Offred had a life with a child a man she loved.  A time of picnics, hotels, a job and money of her own.  All of this is slowly stripped as the religious order takes control.  First she looses her job, and access to all of her money.  They see the writing on the wall and decide to try to escape to Canada.  Of course, they are caught and Offred is kept by Handmaid's, since she obviously can procreate.  She never discovers what happened to her love or her child.  Which is how Serena is able to manipulate her actions, and put herself in danger.  I think these memories of happier times and the possibility of reuniting with either her child or her love are what keep her grounded and willing to stay.  She often talks of the possibility of ending it, and committing suicide, but can never summon the strength to end her existence.  

    The past is also exhibited in memories of life at the training center.  Where initiates are manipulated and coerced to believe that this existence is for their own good.  They are better off being an empty vessel without love and freedom, then they would be with all of the freedom in the world.  That it is for their own safety that they are sequestered away from society.  Only men of power can touch them.  Women are no longer raped and left on the side of the road to rot.  They are "cherished" and protected.  The women at the center live a very regimented life, and many do not make it through the training.  The women are beat into submission and learn to fear the all seeing eye and their handlers.  They are threatened with being a non women, death or being shipped to the colonies.  Since they can not make money or have a job, many feel that this is the only option to live.  

In Offred's current time, she is lonely with no real connection and the threat of being shipped to the colonies if she is unable to conceive with this commander.  She is running out of time and feels that she can not trust anybody.  Her commander, has her sneaking out of her bed and visiting his office at night away from the prying eyes of the household.  Although, they do little but talk, he does gift her with reading old magazines, playing scrabble etc.  Offred is worried about this activity, if she is caught, she will most assuredly be punished.  The biggest surprise is that Serena approaches her one day with a crazy plan.  Dare Offred, say no? dare she say yes?  A baby, any baby is the desired outcome, who's to say it is not the commanders?  

Even when the commander takes her on a treat adventure, she is still encaged in an act.  She must perform a certain way, for if she is discovered at the club - the consequences are chilling.  Through her experiences with the commander she finds that there is a dichotomy within this new world.  The powerful, are free to do as they wish.  While the weak and impoverished are held to standards that are unbearable.  The commanders are a law within themselves and do as they wish with little repercussions.  While the handmaids' lives are fraught with fear and isolation.  Women have lost all of their power and have become an empty vessel.  But it does appear that there is a growing resistance.  Will it come in time for Offred? 

My recommendations on this book are going to be slightly different than normal.  This book is a definite read, but would only encourage this for high school aged and older.  The content is frightening and sexual in nature, which will require an adult mindset.  I am going to give this book a 4.5  out of 5, it is an excellent read and the author does a great job in painting the picture of this troubling time.  But, the necessity of going back and forth in time get's a little confusing for me. I know that it is done in the attempt to explain the current order, I am not sure if all of the flashbacks were necessary.  

Links

Author - Margaret Atwood

Sexual Assault Statistics

Case for Reproductive Rights

The River Between Us

By Richard Peck 

     This is an interesting story, in that it gives the reader a glimpse into two different time periods.  The most prevalent time is America before and during the Civil War.  Secondly, the reader gets a peak into the beginning of the 1900's.  I loved reading about the road trip, where they had to patch all four tires on the car and it only overheated once.  The real eye opening information is the stories surrounding a small Illinois town near the Mississippi River.  The author masterfully crafts the tenuous path that many American's had to follow in the war between the states.  It also illustrates the depths of racism in this country.

     When a young Leleand Hutchings travels to Grand Tower, Illinois to meet the Pruitts, his father's family. Leland and his younger brother meet their relatives, and as their father spends time with his ailing Aunt Delphine, Leland learns the family history from his Aunt Tilly.  A history that they all lived through as she explains of the time leading up to and through the Civil War.  The Pruitts are a  small family that lived along the Mississippi River in a small town called Grand Tower.  Their father had been missing for years and they aremade ends meet any way they ccould.  Tilly and her twin brother were coming of age, Noah was a very young "Man of the House", and wanted to join the North as tensions escalated.  Tilly had to do a lot of the household chores and mind her sister, Cassie who is very insightful (meaning she sees tragedies of the past and possibly the future).  As war between the states seemed eminent, a river boat stopped off and two mysterious passengers disembarked.
      Delphine and Calinda were unique to say the least, Delphine was beutiful and young and Calinda was a young negro woman.  Their relationship wass what separates them however, they were definitely not master and slave, but how were they connected.  Delphine refused to go any further north and asked for directions to the nearest inn, Ma Pruitt heard them and invited the two to state at the home, they might not have much, but what they had was clean and respectful.  Of course, Noah becomes enamored of the mysterious and beautiful Delphine.  The plot thickens when Noah decided to join the Northern forces and marched off for training, one night Ma Pruitt wakens Tilly with the demand to go save Noah.  Tilly and Delphine prepare to enter Cairo Illinois, where the North has set up camp for their forces.  They discover that Noah is very ill and nurse him back to health.  During their time in Cairo, Tilly finds out the truth about Delphine and Calinda, a truth that I am not going to tell you! 
     The surprises do not stop there.  After Noah is nursed back to health he marches to his first battle, Tilly and Delphine sense that something is not right.  They discover that Noah was shot during the battle  and has lost his arm, they nurse him yet again, until he is strong enough to make the trip to Grand Tower.  When they arrive home, there is yet more tragedy, as they discover Cassie has dwindled down to nothing, Mama Pruitt is gone, having thrown herself into the Mississippi, when she saw a casket being unloaded off of a river boat.  Leland thinks he has a good understanding of his family history until, his father unloads one last secret on their trip home. 
     This is book is very interesting and appropriate for students grade 6 and up.  I would rate this book at a 4 out of 5 stars, just because it may be hard to grasp two very different periods in time, especially ones that are so disparate from the current era.  With that being said if you want to find out the two big secrets, you are going to have to read the book! 

Links 
Books by Richard Peck

History of Illinois during the Civil War

Grand Tower Illinois

The Mississippi River during the Civil War

The Hate You Give

By Angie Thomas 

     This is a beautifully crafted, hard hitting book.  I had heard about the book, seen the trailer and knew it was something that I had to read.  I also knew that I may not be comfortable with all of the content, but I am so glad that I finished this book.  It is a great book and an illuminating window into the life of an African American teenager.  It is very unapologetic and in your face about the racism and the inequality in our society as well as relevant to tensions among the police force and people of color.  

     Starr Carter is a young woman of color.  Her parents have worked hard to ensure that her and her siblings attend a private school, well away from the gang bangers and drugs in their neighborhood.  Living in the garden district, but going to school over a half hour away, has Starr straddling two different worlds.  At school she does not want to appear ghetto, while at home she doesn't want to be uppity.  When these two worlds collide and Starr is forced to merge her two selves is when she finds her voice and discovers who she really can be.  The tragic loss of her friend is the match that ignites a fire in the garden district and Starr's heart.  Will she find her voice in time to make a difference, will her and her friends make it through the tragedy unscathed?  

     Normally, I would do a much more involved summary of this book, but this book is so good that I hope you read it yourself.  I love this book and am giving it a 4.5 out of 5 stars.  The content is mature with some swearing, so I would encourage anybody younger than 8th grade to wait to read this book.  Although the heroine in "The Hate You Give" is feminine, this book would be enjoyed by all students.  I do feel that this is a great book and it is an important, relevant message to everyone.  

links 

Angie Thomas - Author

Books about "Black Lives Matter"

     

Hidden Figures

By Margot Lee Shetterly

     After I heard about this group of courageous women I could not wait to read the book or watch the movie.  I am sad to say that the book is rather dry and reads like informative text.  These beautiful, brave women fought long and hard.  This book spent a lot of time dwelling on the news of the time of WWII and Civil Rights, and rarely gave one a glimpse into the lives of these women.  

     Hidden Figures follows four women and how they became part of Langley and computers for the United States.  Their drive and determination to  be recognized and productive members of NACA and NASA is noteworthy.  It is very eye opening that they even had the opportunity, especially when Civil Rights had not occurred.  I was surprised by a lot of the historical information,  but sorely missed some of the personal details about their day to day lives.  These women were incredible, mothers, wives and mathematicians.  It totally blows my mind they were able to make these extraordinary difficult computations, no matter they race or gender.  Not only that but the day to day struggle proving that they were capable, so inspirational.  

     Although I appreciated this book, I wish it would have a little more personal detail.  It was a fairly simple read and think that anybody over fifth grade would enjoy the information.  I am giving this book a 3 out of 5 stars.  If you are someone that enjoys history and would like a window into the home front during and after WWII, pick up your copy!

Links

Margot Lee Shetterly - author

Langley

Real computers

     

Brown Girl Dreaming

By Jacqueline Woodson

     This book is a beautiful surprise.  Many people have told me that they love this book and I now know why.  It is extraordinarily well crafted, the voice is honest and the imagery transcends time.  This is an incredible narrative through the craft of poetry.  In this tale you meet the Woodson family as they grow and move from their Ohio home, to South Carolina and than New York during in the  1960's.  A time when this country went through the civil rights movement and emotions were charged. 
     Jacqueline is the youngest of the Woodson family, initially, and as such feels constantly challenged by her older siblings.  Both Odell and Hope are seemingly very intelligent one loves science and the other can lose themself in a good book.  Young Jacqueline wants to be a writer, but the process of getting her beautiful stories on paper is a struggle.  At first, she does not know how to write, than she struggles finding words that she knows how to spell, so her writing does not flow nor is it fluent. 
     As time marches and the Woodson family moves from Ohio to South Carolina, to live with their grandparents, whom they love a great deal.  Jacqueline and her siblings learn to love the heat of the deep south, though they do not understand all of tension between everyone.  They are forced to become Jehovah's Witness, by their grandmother.  They love their grandfather, whom they consider their daddy.  Their mother leaves them in her parents care while she travels to New York looking for a job that could support their needs.  When she finally returns to bring them to the big city with her, she brings a baby, Roman.  Jacqueline misses her South Carolina family and dislikes their new home and the cold dreary New York weather.  This new time in her life brings her her best friend Maria and opens her up to new experiences, public school.  Yet the still spend their summers in South Carolina with their aging grandparents.  Daddy's health is beginning to wane as a life time of cigarettes takes a toll on him.  As Jacqueline ages she learns more words and how to spell and she is finally recognized as a writer. 
     I love this book, it was a nice read and it flowed beautifully.  The use of powerful poetry worked well with the imagery that the author projected.  I am giving this book a 5 out of 5 stars and feel that it is appropriate for fourth grade and up.  The content about discrimination, although beautifully done and not graphic at all needs to be above third grade.  What I appreciated the most about this book is the multiple layers to each chapter and the ease of the read, very enjoyable.  If you have not done so, pick up your copy today. 

Links 

Author Jacqueline Woodson

The history of the Civil Rights movement in South Carolina

The History of New York city

Flying Lessons & Other Short Stories

Various Authors 

     This is an awesome selection of some of this generations best authors.  The stories that were brought into this anthology all celebrate some unique aspect.  They give a voice to many different cultures and minorities; I love that they included handicaps and Native Americans into the mix.  

     In today's world of tension among various cultural groups it is vital that we learn that we must work together and celebrate our differences in order to be successful.  We can no longer be bias towards other cultures we have to learn to coexist with everyone.  The growing global community and the ease of instant communication is requiring a new understanding.  Those individuals that can and do work well with everyone will be the ones that thrive.  This book and other books are needed for that reason alone.      Ellen Oh, reached out to some of today's best authors and collected short stories for your pleasure, they are short in nature and can easily be read with in a class period.  These tales are quick reads, but the depth of emotion and the details are flawless.  Readers will enjoy a quick tale about a tall Mexican American youth that decides to improve his basketball over the summer, running with the big dogs at a different gym.  He is going into high school and really wants to make the varsity team.  The lessons he learns sharing sweat with the older men reach far beyond the basketball court.  

     You will meet one young lady who befriends the new girl, who happens to be African American, Of course the predominant white town, frowns upon the friendship and she looses all of her friends  Celeste only stays in town for a year and they two girls vow to meet up again in New York when the turn 18, The reason this short sticks in my mind, is that the main character goes against her classmates and other adults to befriend the girl, she trusts her own judgement and finds a lasting friendship.  She willingly decided to break out of the mold of racism and is better for this bravery.  I feel that a lot of the angst towards many cultures has eased, but new minorities have taken their place.  Keeping an open mind and befriending those around you benefits everyone.  

     A third tale relays a grandmother and her grandson as they have a marvelous adventure in Europe.  The grandson is an incredible student but is being caged and stifled.  His grandmother takes him on this journey to bring life and freedom into his life.  Although he is an awesome student, he needs to learn how to fly.  We all need to learn that not all of the lessons that are worth living are not always taught in the classroom.  

     My final story that i am sharing has a Native American flavor.  Even though the story that is shared with the children, is entertaining, what is learned beyond the story is the most important.  Uncle Kenneth brings his culture into an important lesson.  This out of all of the tales really celebrates the unique culture of a Native American tribe.  

     This is a very versatile story, and I want to thank a wonderful teacher for encouraging me to read this book, thanks Kate!  I found these stories information, diverse and enjoyable.  I am giving this book a 5 out of 5 stars and encourage everyone to check this out.  This book is absolutely appropriate for anybody over 3rd grade.  

Links

Wheelchair Basketball

Native American Stories

Compiler / Author - Ellen Oh

Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom

By Lynda Blackmon Lowery 

     A nice story about democracy in action.  I really enjoyed this fast read which relays how young people can have a huge impact on the world around them.  This is a personal narrative on how one teenage student reached and marched against oppression in the early 1960's.  This is a primary source of information from a view point that is seldom heard.  

     A young Lynda was brought up by a loving father and her grandmother, her mother had passed away when Lynda was young.  They lived in Selma Alabama, under the governance of Wallace and their world is highly segregated.  The white folks held all of the power and wealth and the ability to vote.  It was believed that the power to vote could change their world.  Dr. Martin Luther King was a solid proponent of "Steady, loving confrontation", that is to say non violent protest.  Why then is Lynda marching when she is still in school.  In Selma, if someone tried to vote, march or oppose those in power they could loose their job or housing.  Therefor, the adults could not stand up, but their children could and did.  

     Lynda and her friends were very industrious in circumventing those in power.  They even had a system for homework and taking tests.  That did not stop them  from being jailed, in fact many of these enterprising youngsters were jailed multiple times.  Most of these adventures were peaceful and Lynda and friends were quickly released from jail, on one occasion they spent 6 days in a camp, but on most of these occasions family and friends would come rescue the youngsters.  In large part this rebellion was peaceful until Jimmy Lee Jackson was shot, which was then followed by Bloody Sunday.  Bloody Sunday was broadcast around the nation, and brought support for the black community.  Then when Dr. Martin Luther King called for a large march to Mobile, the community was mobilized.  

     Lynda marched towards Alabama the youngest of the crowd.  She felt the need to march to show Governor Wallace, that she would not back down even with the stitches in her head from Bloody Sunday.  The march ended up being very peaceful, with national guardsmen protecting the group, as they neared Mobile the crowd increased and numbered into the thousands.  

     What I enjoyed the most about this text was the first person narrative and the direct connection to a troubling time in the United States.  I am going to give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.  The only thing I am marking it down for is I wish that there was a little more detail.  I find this book very pertinent and important to read especially if you are studying the civil rights movement in the United States.  Today's hyper sensitivity to race and religion makes this book important and think any student fourth grade and up would enjoy this story.  

Links

Author - Lynda Blackmon Lowery

Selma Freedom March

Recordings of the freedom songs

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Crow

By Barbara Wright 

     This is a thought provoking historical fiction novel.  Enter into Southern United States 20 years after the Civil War and follow Moses in his coming of age journey of self awareness.  Moses is a young, intelligent man.  His parents are hard working;  his mother is a maid and his father is a reporter for the only daily black paper.  His father has had every opportunity, he has been to college and truly values the Constitution, the power of the vote, that knowledge is power and that facing your problems proves the depths of your character.  Moses is being raised, in part, by his Grandmother, Boo Nanny.  A former slave who looks at the world through old eyes, that believe in the old slave ways and omens.  Moses balances his life and tries to steer clear of white supremacy groups.
     As the racial tensions in the area continue to escalate, Moses, his family and their freedom are put in jeopardy.  Moses just wants to be a kid and enjoy the hot summer months.  His father still encourages him to broaden his horizons and continues to educate Moses.  His best friend Lewis is slowly drifting away as he has a bike and Moses can not get the money together for a bike.  As Moses begins to loose touch with his best friend, he befriends an unlikely individual.  His dad's job at the newspaper becomes ever more dangerous, especially, when Mr. Manley writes an editorial that inflames that white populace.
     As the state moves towards the November election, tension hit a high.  Mr. Manley flees Richmond, the "Red Shirts" are threatening the black population and Moses's freedom dwindles.  The frightening activity of the white supremacy groups keep many from voting, there is a riot and Moses' dad is requested to remove himself from office.  How Moses grows through these events, matures and help those around him is well worth the read.
     This is a very good historical fiction, I believe it portrays a very realistic image of the United States during the time of the Crow laws.  This would be a very good classroom book, and I enjoyed the section in the back of the book that allowed for lesson extension.  It has some mature inferences so would have to be in a class 6th grade and up.  I am giving this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.  This is a very worthwhile read and i did enjoy my copy.

Links

Patricia Wright - Author

Jim Crow Laws

Antebellum Period

The Red Shirts

Stolen into Slavery: The True Story of Solomon Northup

By Judith and Dennis Fradin

     A captivating true story of a free black man and how he was sold into slavery and his hard fought twelve years to freedom.  Solomon awakens in a slave pen in Washington D.C. and tries to explain that this is a mistake and he is a free man.  But all of his papers and money have been stolen and he is beaten.  He looses his name and his identity as he is moved further into the South.  His first name becomes Platt and his last name changes every time he gets a new owner.  

     Solomon is a skilled individual, a carpenter and an accomplished violin player.  Due to the economy in the south, he changes hands several times, going further from home with each transfer.  Eventually, he lands at he Epp Plantation in the backwaters of Alabama.  His first attempt of contacting his family to the North, becomes a near miss and he learns to be weary of those around him.  He needs to find somebody who is willing to risk aiding him.  Finally, a travelling carpenter comes to help build a new house, and Epps has Solomon help build the homestead.  As they work, Solomon comes to believe that he has finally found somebody that would be sympathetic to his plight.  Letters are sent back to New York in hopes that somebody will somehow prove that he is free and help set him free.  

     This historical book is a true story of Solomon Northrup and his quest for freedom.  I am not going to tell you the ending, kinda makes reading it necessary.  This is a shortened version of Solomon's own autobiography, "Twelve Years a Slave"  and as such skims over many of the details.  Which is why I am only giving this book a 3 out of 5 stars.  I found it a trifle young and believe it would be appropriate for students fourth grade and up.  I do believe older students would read and enjoy the actual original transcript.  

Links 

Slavery in America

Author : Judith Fradin

Forge

                                                                                                   By Laurie Halse Anderson 

     A young escaped slave, Curzon, aids a young rebel in defeating a red coat.  This one act cements a friendship among the young men.  Curzon ends up re-enlisting in the American Army and marches with the rest of his troop to the winter encampment, Valley Forge.  He is just another soldier, freezing and starving in the bleak valley, until his old master, Mr. Bellingham finds him and he is forced to return to serving at Moore Hall.  Although, he is warm and fed, he would rather return to his compatriots in their hut, because he was a free man.
     Serving Mr. Bellingham and the household at Moore Hall would have been horrible if Curzon had not been reunited with his friend Isabel.  Isabel had helped Curzon escape, and then they had separated due to a misunderstanding.  As soon as he was able Curzon tried to encourage Isabel to escape with him again.  It was only then that she showed him that she wore a metal collar, signifying her slave status.  If she attempted to run, she would be recognized and return to Bellingham immediately.  Curzon decides to leave with out her, until Bellingham informs him that any misdeeds that Curzon does, the punishment will be awarded to Isabel.  Now, they must endeavor to flee together!
     The two bide their time, waiting, listening and learning as much as possible.

     I refuse to tell you of their escape, whether it is successful or not, you have to read this book.  I am giving this book a 5 out of 5 stars, It is an incredible representation of a historical fiction, told from a forgotten voice in our quest for independence.  The details that Anderson utilizes in her description of the huts and the lack of food for the soldiers are incredible.  Too often we romanticize wars and soldiers when the deplorable conditions and actions of soldiers are not so pretty.  This book is great for anybody over fourth grade!

Links 

Valley Forge

Historic Valley Forge

Slavery and the American Revolutionary War

General Washington at Valley Forge

Esperanza Rising

                                                                     by Pam Munoz Ryan 

     A coming of age historical fiction, a tale of never giving up and making the most of a bad set of events.  Meet Esperanza, a young wealthy girl in Mexico, she is the apple of her parents' eyes.  An only child, Esperanza loves spending time with her father, loves the ranch and can not envision ever leaving.  She is reared to be the lady of the manor and never does any manual labor.  On the eve of her birthday, her father is viciously attacked and killed.  The events that follow have Esperanza and her Mother escaping from her Uncles and running to the United States with their former servants.  

     When they reach the company camp that is to become their new home Esperanza is expected to learn how to work for her living,  Her mother and the other women go to the sheds and help pack the produce out for shipment.  Esperanza remains at the camp tending the babies and doing small jobs.  At first, she can barely do these common household tasks.  She is ridiculed when she attempts to sweep the platform, the first time, but it is the first time she has held a broom.  The first time that she is left alone with the twin babies, she feeds them plums and they end up with horrible diarrhea and stomach cramps.  Over time, however, she begins to find her way. This is hurried along when her mother becomes deathly ill and Esperanza needs to learn how to work in the sheds.  

     Concurrent with her arrival in the United States, there is an uprising among the migrant workers and a demand for fair wages and better housing.  The other workers at her camp just want to make money to feed their family and want nothing to do with the strike, but others camps in the area are in a turmoil.  The strikers try to incite Esperanza and others to join their cause since there is power in numbers.  Initially, Esperanza just wants to continue making money in order to pay for her mother's medical bills.  But when she witnesses a round up when immigration officers herd all of the strikers into busses to return to Mexico, whether or not they are citizens, she slowly begins to change her mind.  Especially when she hears how "Okie" are coming to her camp and getting better housing and a pool, that she can use only on Friday afternoon, before it is cleaned.  She is upset with the disparity and is vocal about her displeasure.  Finally, she accepts her new reality and no longer dwells on her past wealthy life.  

     I'm giving this book a 4 out of 5 stars.  I think that this is a very good book and I enjoyed it, but in writing this blog I realized that it left parts of the story unresolved.  There is no conclusion to the drama with the striking and disparity; when Abuelita, Esperanza's Grandmother, gets to the camp all of the problems seem to fade away and Esperanza is content.  I do feel that this is a remarkable read for anybody fourth grade and up and it is a good representation of a time and place in United States History.  Enjoy your copy today!  

Links 

Author - Pam Munoz Ryan

Migration workers in the 1930's

The Dust Bowl - Why Okies were migrant

Mexican Migration workers

History of Mexican Migration

The Watsons go to Birmingham - 1963

                                                 by Christopher Paul Curtis

     This is a beautifully crafted historical fiction story told with a great deal of humor and insight.  One is introduced to "the Weird Watsons" as they sit bundled together on the couch, in the freezing cold Flint winter.  Kenny, the narrator, is a very intelligent child who is bullied by everyone at school, even his older brother Byron.  Byron is a bully that is constantly getting in trouble at home. Their little sister Joetta, is loved by everyone and is very religious.  Their parents Wilona (Mom) and Daniel (Dad),  met in Alabama and moved to Flint MI, where Daniel worked in the automotive industry.
     Kenny is very cautious around his brother Byron, because he is constanly getting in trouble or bullying Kenny.  Byron's cohort and buddy is Buphead a neighboring boy who encourages and helps By's bad behavior.  In one chapter Byron charges a bunch of food at the local market and engorges himself on cookies.  He tries to embroil Kenny in the fiasco, by sharing his misgotten goods.  In another chapter, Byron, who likes to catch things on fire, is caught, lighting things on fire in the bathroom.  Finally, however when he gets a conk, Mom and Dad decide it is time for some drastic measures.  It is decided that they will deliver Byron to Grandma Sands in Alabama.  Mom and Dad devise and plan their way through a long car trip.  Daniel getting the family car ready for the trip, and mom making lists and borrowing coolers etc. from neighbors.  It is decided that they are ready when Daniel purchases a car record player, that will allow the Watsons to listen to their own music through the south.
     The trip that Mom thought they should be able to finish in 3 days, Daniel decides he will drive straight through without stops.  The family shows up to Alabama, very excited to meet Grandma Sands.  All of the Watsons are amazed by the heat in Alabama, the children even try to go swimming, but Kenny almost drowns when he swims where he does not belong, near a whirl pool.  Surprisingly enough, his savior is non other than Byron.  Joetta, continues to go to church and attends Grandma Sands church with neighbors.  On one fateful Sunday, the church is bombed and many children are killed or injured.  Joetta is saved, however, because she follows someoone that she claims is Kenny.  Kenny is permanently damaged by the atrocity of seeing the results of the bombing and this horrendous example of racisim.  To protect their children and to avoid, having to discuss the hatred around Birmingham, the Watsons return to Flint.  Kenny is once again saved by Bryon's interference, when By tells him to get on with life and move on, instead of wallowing in the magical Pet Hospital.
     Initially I read this book becuase I live close to Flint, MI, but I really enjoyed this book, the story telling and the humor that was used made the tale very entertaining.  I would give this book a 4 out of 5 stars and encourage it for fourth grade on up.

Links 

Alabama Church Bombing -

American Civil Rights Movement

History of Flint MI

Christopher Paul Curtis