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lanica's review
5.0
This is a book that was selected for me as a Mock-Newbery book club read.
There are so many instances where a piece of history is lost to time either because the establishment wants to hide it, or because those involved are afraid to talk about it. This is one of those instances. Brenda Woods takes a moment in US history and shines a light on it in a way that is non-confrontational, and beautiful, but also haunting and emotional.
This is a historical fiction look at the days immediately following WWII, in a small South Carolina town. A white boy befriends a black man and they learn a lot about each other through their interactions.
I highly recommend this book to middle and high-school libraries.
There are so many instances where a piece of history is lost to time either because the establishment wants to hide it, or because those involved are afraid to talk about it. This is one of those instances. Brenda Woods takes a moment in US history and shines a light on it in a way that is non-confrontational, and beautiful, but also haunting and emotional.
This is a historical fiction look at the days immediately following WWII, in a small South Carolina town. A white boy befriends a black man and they learn a lot about each other through their interactions.
I highly recommend this book to middle and high-school libraries.
shirleytupperfreeman's review
What a beautiful way for young middle readers to learn about the jim Crow and Great Migration periods of our history. Birdsong, SC is an idyllic 1950s town - at least for a 12 year old white boy named Gabriel. When Gabriel takes his new bike out for it's first ride, he is nearly hit by a car - except he is shoved out of the way by Mr. Meriwether Hunter. Mr. Hunter is a black WWII unsung war hero and master mechanic who is struggling to find work. As Gabriel and Mr. Hunter become friends, Gabriel's eyes are opened to the prejudices and injustices even in Birdsong. I really enjoyed this sweet and tender story.
rebeckle4's review
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
jwinchell's review
5.0
This is a gem of historical fiction and not too long, like much of it is. I can’t think of another story about after WWII- 1946 South Carolina. Gabriel is lucky to be raised in an anti racist household in the segregated south. His dad’s gas station and repair shop is in the Green Book and they’ve taught him to be respectful to everyone and that the south is unfair to people of color. This thinking is pushed along by the progressive scoop his cousin Tink has from a friend who used to live in New York City. And when he’s riding his new bike one day, Merriwether Hunter, a black man, saves Gabriel from being hit by a car. His empathy and anti racist thinking only grow through conversations they have now that Merriwether works at his dad’s shop. There has to be a white racist foil, and that’s mean ole Lucas. The author’s note about the 761st battalion was just the thing. Bring on more stories like this.
chickchick22's review
2.0
2.5 rated down.
“The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA” is a book about a young white boy who survived a near-death incident thanks to the quick movements of a black man looking for a job. Grateful, the boy, Gabriel, offers the man a job at his father’s auto shop. The man accepts, and through visits to the shop, the man, Meriwether, shares his story as a black man who served during WWII. As the story progresses, Gabriel’s eyes are opened more to the hardships of black people during that time, and learns kindness and caring through the unsung hero of Birdsong.
While this was a heartwarming story, there were a few issues that made the rating so low for a book with such potential.
1. Character development
Gabriel, the main character, has no real personality. All I know is that he has a crush on Rosie Riley (who comes out only two or three times!) and that he is a nice guy. The characters with real personalities were Abigail and Meriwether. Character development just…no. There was not enough…well, character in the characters for me to like them.
2. Climax/Plot
The intended climax, I think, was either when Meriwether came to Gabriel’s house with news of Abigail’s near-death experience or when Meriwether almost killed Lucas Shaw. However, each of these fit into one short chapter (5 pages + 5 pages) and I didn’t feel any tension or nervousness of “is he going to be ok? how will this end up?” because there was no build-up. Plus, both of these had nothing to do with Gabriel. He didn’t do anything too important; if these climaxes had more action in general or more action through Gabriel’s eyes, this book would feel so much more complete.
3. Speed
This book was honestly a really slow read. I felt like everything interesting and exciting happened far too fast, and the rest of the book was full of slow, not-very-action-packed events. I’m fine with spreading out a book (but not too much…) since it could really help with character development, showing relationships, or simple world-building and building up to the climax. But this book spread it out so much. If the climaxes were made longer, say, two or three chapters instead of one 5 page chapter, it would’ve been such a bigger, more exciting book.
•Overall•
I’m not trying to be mean, or to roast this book until it’s burnt: no. I’m saying that while the plot, the idea, and the lessons in this story are so so good, it was…delivered in a way that was underwhelming. More action or even simple character development would make worlds of a difference.
Overall, it was a good book with a good story, just told in a way that might not have delivered it in the intended “wow this book is so amazing” way. “The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA” could’ve been so much; it honestly had so so much potential and I am really sad and disappointed that I didn’t like it as much as I had hoped when I first picked it up.
“The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA” is a book about a young white boy who survived a near-death incident thanks to the quick movements of a black man looking for a job. Grateful, the boy, Gabriel, offers the man a job at his father’s auto shop. The man accepts, and through visits to the shop, the man, Meriwether, shares his story as a black man who served during WWII. As the story progresses, Gabriel’s eyes are opened more to the hardships of black people during that time, and learns kindness and caring through the unsung hero of Birdsong.
While this was a heartwarming story, there were a few issues that made the rating so low for a book with such potential.
1. Character development
Gabriel, the main character, has no real personality. All I know is that he has a crush on Rosie Riley (who comes out only two or three times!) and that he is a nice guy. The characters with real personalities were Abigail and Meriwether. Character development just…no. There was not enough…well, character in the characters for me to like them.
2. Climax/Plot
The intended climax, I think, was either when Meriwether came to Gabriel’s house with news of Abigail’s near-death experience or when Meriwether almost killed Lucas Shaw. However, each of these fit into one short chapter (5 pages + 5 pages) and I didn’t feel any tension or nervousness of “is he going to be ok? how will this end up?” because there was no build-up. Plus, both of these had nothing to do with Gabriel. He didn’t do anything too important; if these climaxes had more action in general or more action through Gabriel’s eyes, this book would feel so much more complete.
3. Speed
This book was honestly a really slow read. I felt like everything interesting and exciting happened far too fast, and the rest of the book was full of slow, not-very-action-packed events. I’m fine with spreading out a book (but not too much…) since it could really help with character development, showing relationships, or simple world-building and building up to the climax. But this book spread it out so much. If the climaxes were made longer, say, two or three chapters instead of one 5 page chapter, it would’ve been such a bigger, more exciting book.
•Overall•
I’m not trying to be mean, or to roast this book until it’s burnt: no. I’m saying that while the plot, the idea, and the lessons in this story are so so good, it was…delivered in a way that was underwhelming. More action or even simple character development would make worlds of a difference.
Overall, it was a good book with a good story, just told in a way that might not have delivered it in the intended “wow this book is so amazing” way. “The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA” could’ve been so much; it honestly had so so much potential and I am really sad and disappointed that I didn’t like it as much as I had hoped when I first picked it up.
blogginboutbooks's review
4.0
I enjoyed this thought-provoking coming-of-age novel about a boy whose eyes are opened to the injustices happening in his Southern town when he befriends a black Civil War veteran. It's a thoughtful, well-written story featuring (mostly) likable characters and an interesting historical subject about which I knew little. The lessons it teaches are important and, while not subtle, are also put across in a way that's not preachy or sappy. I enjoyed this book and hope kids will find it as engaging as I did.
paperbacksandpines's review
3.0
This book is written in the vein of [b:Homer Price|766917|Homer Price|Robert McCloskey|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348994806l/766917._SY75_.jpg|3259531]. Although it tackles tough issues of racism, prejudice, and hatred in the Jim Crow South, it does so in a way is manageable for middle grade readers. This book was a wholesome and worthwhile read.
mwbuell's review
3.0
I liked that it was set during the civil rights movement. It was interesting to hear the characters' perspectives on Jim Crow laws and things like that. I think the author represented Meriweather well. While the story taught a few meaningful lessons, overall the book fell a little bit flat for me.