Author: Cynthia Rylant
Other books by Author: A Fine White Dust, A Blue-eyed Daisy
General Summary and Plot
Aunt May had died and nothing was the same. Summer and Uncle Ob tried for 6 months to live without her and it was not working. Summer was becoming more disconnected and Uncle Ob was becoming weaker.
Cletus Underwood, an acquaintance from Summer’s school that she would rather have stay away, finds his way to Uncle Ob’s trailer. He and Ob become friends and Cletus spends his afternoons there.
One day Ob says he can feel Aunt May’s presence and talks to Cletus and Summer about contacting her somehow. Cletus goes along with the idea but tells Summer he does not believe what Ob is saying, Ob just needs to have some way to keep Aunt Mays memory alive.
They drive to find some woman pastor of a spirit church who claims to contact the dead only to find out that she is dead herself. The trip seemed to be wasted until They try to make the most of it. Summer cries all the way home.
Some how the failed trip began the healing process for Summer and Uncle Ob.
Positive Elements
Aunt May seemed to have been a wonderful woman and had a tremendous impact on Ob and Summer’s lives.
Summer and Ob find their answers somehow and do not even need to contact Aunt May’s spirit to do so.
Cletus allows Uncle Ob to speak of Aunt May freely which probably helps.
Spiritual Content
The spirit church is mentioned, the brochure read but, Summer knew Cletus knew better that to even mention going to church to her and Uncle Ob.
Negative Elements
It is always sad when a person dies and it is evident that they never knew Christ as their Savior. It is beyond me how unsaved family members cope with the death of a loved one. This accounts for the way Uncle Ob about shuts down after Aunt May’s death.
They are trying to contact May’s spirit.
Before they go on the long trip to the church Ob lies to Cletus’ parents about why they are going and exactly where they are going. I am never a fan of lying to one’s parents about anything.
Profanity
"Hell" twice
"Hot damn" once
There may have been more. This is all I noticed.
Sexual Content
None
Violence
None
Overall Theme
Sometimes it is a good friend on a long journey that heals us.
Conclusion
An interesting book. It is hard to put your finger on “I liked it.” or “I hated it.” One of those books you kind of liked but not sure about who to recommend it to, if anyone.
Suggested age group
Middle school on up. Contacting spirits may be a bit confusing to many children.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Sour Land
by: William H. Armstrong
Other books by author: Sounder
General Summary and Plot
Anise Stone was struggling to raise his three children and tending to the farm after his wife died. He found help in the most unlikely place, the new teacher of the negro school in town, Moses Waters.
Moses proves to be the best friend the children or their father could have. The Stone family took years of ridicule and “accidents” but they learned all they could from the kind, wise black man while they had the opportunity.
Positive Elements
Anise Stone sees no black and white in a very segregated time period in America’s history. He teaches this vision to his children. He is a good father and friend.
Moses’ wisdom spills out in his actions and his words. Much of his philosophy and advice still applies to the world today.
Spiritual Content
The family (as well as Moses) go to church on Sundays.
Anise and the local store keeper talk about what a godly man Moses is and refer to Psalm 4. Moses is often asked to lead the congregational prayer in church. (a white church)
Moses has three Bibles in his cabin.
In the end a mention of Jesus’ cross is made.
Negative Elements
The town is very obviously racist and segregated.
A family called the Lawhorns keep the negro population (and the negro friendly population) in fear of their “justice”
Despite everything that is done to the negro community no one is prosecuted or punished.
Moses is framed for drinking himself to death.
Profanity
Nigger is used many times.
Sexual Content
A black teen girl is molested.
Violence
A dog is shot in the head and left on a door step as a threat.
The young teen was beaten molested and later died from her injuries.
Moses is hit in the head with a brick and dies.
Overall Theme
Patience and wisdom are all a man needs to touch each person in his world.
Conclusion
That was the way things were. The book tells an unjust story but that was life back then. We are made to realize we all have “Moses’” in our lives and all too often they are taken from us by ignorance long before we have ever learned all we could from them. Over all a very good book, one that even parents would enjoy.
Suggested age group
No younger than middle school, the subject matter and the molestation may even put it in the high school level. The wisdom in it is, however good for all ages.
Other books by author: Sounder
General Summary and Plot
Anise Stone was struggling to raise his three children and tending to the farm after his wife died. He found help in the most unlikely place, the new teacher of the negro school in town, Moses Waters.
Moses proves to be the best friend the children or their father could have. The Stone family took years of ridicule and “accidents” but they learned all they could from the kind, wise black man while they had the opportunity.
Positive Elements
Anise Stone sees no black and white in a very segregated time period in America’s history. He teaches this vision to his children. He is a good father and friend.
Moses’ wisdom spills out in his actions and his words. Much of his philosophy and advice still applies to the world today.
Spiritual Content
The family (as well as Moses) go to church on Sundays.
Anise and the local store keeper talk about what a godly man Moses is and refer to Psalm 4. Moses is often asked to lead the congregational prayer in church. (a white church)
Moses has three Bibles in his cabin.
In the end a mention of Jesus’ cross is made.
Negative Elements
The town is very obviously racist and segregated.
A family called the Lawhorns keep the negro population (and the negro friendly population) in fear of their “justice”
Despite everything that is done to the negro community no one is prosecuted or punished.
Moses is framed for drinking himself to death.
Profanity
Nigger is used many times.
Sexual Content
A black teen girl is molested.
Violence
A dog is shot in the head and left on a door step as a threat.
The young teen was beaten molested and later died from her injuries.
Moses is hit in the head with a brick and dies.
Overall Theme
Patience and wisdom are all a man needs to touch each person in his world.
Conclusion
That was the way things were. The book tells an unjust story but that was life back then. We are made to realize we all have “Moses’” in our lives and all too often they are taken from us by ignorance long before we have ever learned all we could from them. Over all a very good book, one that even parents would enjoy.
Suggested age group
No younger than middle school, the subject matter and the molestation may even put it in the high school level. The wisdom in it is, however good for all ages.
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