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sumayyaha's review against another edition
5.0
If you thought I was going to give this book anything but five stars, I am not sorry to disappoint you.
I found some troubling reviews about this book recently and so I'd like to address them in the latter part of my review, I hope you don't mind a bit of a rant, cause I'd do it regardless.
___________________________________
My Thoughts
This book made me feel all kinds of riled up, yet at times gave me a sense of home. The conversions and slang in this book had me thinking upon days I spent at my grandma's house and stories my dad told of his childhood. The character's felt extremely real to me in their naivete, hurt, hate, and just overall character. I would say extremely well done on the author's part, down to the attention-seeking-down-fall of T.J. Yes, he was a whole lotta oof but at the same time, you recognize how he must have felt and what his actions meant. Moreover, the events that led to his downfall were extremely believable, a reality in those times. And the story is what did me in and made me give it a five star. It is extremely important and should not be just taken as research material, rather a truth that millions lived every day, and Taylor told it through the eyes of a child, told simply yet honestly.
___________________________________
Thoughts on The "Reviews"
Now, I see some people saying Cassie was unintelligent for not knowing how she was going to be treated for being black and that her mother should have told her better. Well, you should take into account that Cassie is 9 years old in the book for one thing, even though some nine-year-olds you met might be smart that isn't the case for all children, most are naive. Moreover, even if you not smart it does not mean you are dumb, that kind of philosophy is the most idiotic thing I've heard. Would you then say because someone doesn't know how to pot a plant they are dumb for not knowing the ways of gardening but the same person might be fluent in mathematics and English, does this make them smart? Cassie simply did not know how people of color were treated because she was a child - because the idea of someone being less than you for the sake of their skin color is ludicrous to begin with so children naturally wouldn't think of it. Only those with selfish intents, jealousy, and arrogance thought in such a way, things adults are susceptible to. So naturally, she would attribute any rude or hateful action towards her as something personal or because of an age difference. She once states: ( "Adults were one thing; I could almost understand that. They ruled things and there was nothing that could be done about them. But some kid who was no bigger than me was something else again." - pg 110 ) this shows just how much she doesn't think of her race or anybody else's as the problem, here she thinks the shopkeeper isn't taking their order first because they are children and so thought little of.
In addition, you are told at the beginning of the book that Cassie and her family are lucky to be on the land that she has, this land is mostly the only place that she resides besides school. Even then, they only see white children in passing, and yes you might say she should know there was a difference between them because the white children had a bus and they didn't. However, she could also attribute that to her school not having enough funds for a bus and she still hasn't put two and two together because the idea of racism is foreign to a child until their smacked in the face with it. And most of the low star reviews complain that she should know by now but don't you know this book's purpose is in telling how her experiences affected her in the 1930s'. Not only her but you see in other characters that things start changing like Stacy's run-in with T.J at the general store, how at the end of the chapter he learned how to own up and tell the truth. Some claim there was no character development and the plot should have been more interesting to intrigue the readers, but that was a fine point of character development and there were more if you only looked, it doesn't even require deep thought.
As for "interesting" plot, this isn't some mystery novel, it's telling the story of a black girl really facing racism, in fact getting the frontal blow of it for the first time. If you can't see anything to keep you interested in that, I guess you just can't identify with it, moreover the characters. These characters based on truths were not privileged enough to live a life worth an "interesting plot" instead they were faced with arrogance, hate, and bigotry. Now, how about the claim that her parents should have told her from the beginning "how the world works". If you make such a claim I'd like you to imagine for a moment that you have a child, very young, just learning how to speak and use motor skills. Every day you tell this child, you remind them that what they "need" to know. You say "Now listen here, everyone out there that looks different from you, they hate you. They don't like you but it's ok because that's just how the world works and at least you can still live, right?" What do you think that child will feel like after being constantly reminded that their skin color is their own fault, and they should be thankful to be alive? I'd say, this is just a guess here - but I'd say absolute garbage if we're keeping this PG. I'd really like to know how someone could think that telling a child such a thing at an early age, poisoning their ears with other people hate, how could that be a thing a mother would do to her child, wanting or not? You can tell that Cassie's mother loves her, she doesn't want her to face the realities of the cruel harsh world. Eventually, she knows she's going to have to tell her and eventually she does make it straight, yes after certain incidents, but that's to be expected since she wanted to keep it from her as long as possible. To stress this point I'd like to remind you that Cassie is facing and just recognizing racism for the first time and that is what this book is telling you of.
Some also said that all the characters were dumb because they made mistakes and such. Well, when have you ever seen a perfect saint? And I'd say that making a mistake doesn't make you an idiot, making the same one more than once, however, is not an intelligent thing to do. Even then, people don't always make mistakes from idiocy or lack of common sense. Instead, it comes from the inability to control their emotions or desires. This makes them a flawed person and if you can't understand that you might be past helping. These characters have personality and spunk, some lovable, and some you sympathize with even when they make mistakes because even though you want to strangle them for their actions you can understand why they did what they did. In all, I think those who can't handle the truth of matters during these times and regard books about black folks being good research material shouldn't waste their time reading them because the words are lost on them.
This is just something that made me laugh, but I saw one review that said the word "negro (in variations)" was used too much it was "not pleasant". You'd think after white people's ancestors (and some today) been using racial slurs for so long they'd be fine with reading it a little in a piece of literature defending the black people's circumstances. There is no use in telling the truth with honesty and integrity yet leaving out a few words for being too harsh or cruel. That's what it was and I believe she told straight it like it was said. I'd hate to seem em' read [b:The Autobiography of Malcolm X|92057|The Autobiography of Malcolm X|Malcolm X|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1434682864l/92057._SY75_.jpg|47400] (great by the way).
____________________________________
Quotes
"But we all wanted to do it," I comforted."
"Not me!" denied Christopher-John. "All I wanted to do was eat my lunch!" (Taylor, 63)
'I faltered only for a moment before deciding that my bottom was more important than Stacey's code of honor.
"-and Stacey had to tale the blame for it and Mama whipped him right in front of God and everybody!" ' (Taylor, 86)
"I ain't nobody's little nigger!" (Taylor, 111)
"Unnecessary trouble! You think my brother died and I got my leg half blown off in their German war to have some red-neck knock Cassie around anytime it suits him?" (Taylor, 124)
"It—it didn't even make no difference," muttered T.J.
"What?" said R.W. "You comin' ain't you? You still want that pearl-handled pistol don't you?"
"Yeah, but—"
...
'But T.J did not follow immediately. He remained standing in the middle of the compound, his face puzzled and undecided. I had never seen him look more desolately alone, ' (Taylor, 241)
This part broke me
"You go on back to bed, Cassie. I'll be all right."
"Yeah, I know you gonna be all right 'cause I'm gonna tell Papa!" (Taylor, 249)
"Not me," said Christopher-John, lying back down again. (Taylor, 250)
I found some troubling reviews about this book recently and so I'd like to address them in the latter part of my review, I hope you don't mind a bit of a rant, cause I'd do it regardless.
___________________________________
My Thoughts
This book made me feel all kinds of riled up, yet at times gave me a sense of home. The conversions and slang in this book had me thinking upon days I spent at my grandma's house and stories my dad told of his childhood. The character's felt extremely real to me in their naivete, hurt, hate, and just overall character. I would say extremely well done on the author's part, down to the attention-seeking-down-fall of T.J. Yes, he was a whole lotta oof but at the same time, you recognize how he must have felt and what his actions meant. Moreover, the events that led to his downfall were extremely believable, a reality in those times. And the story is what did me in and made me give it a five star. It is extremely important and should not be just taken as research material, rather a truth that millions lived every day, and Taylor told it through the eyes of a child, told simply yet honestly.
___________________________________
Thoughts on The "Reviews"
Now, I see some people saying Cassie was unintelligent for not knowing how she was going to be treated for being black and that her mother should have told her better. Well, you should take into account that Cassie is 9 years old in the book for one thing, even though some nine-year-olds you met might be smart that isn't the case for all children, most are naive. Moreover, even if you not smart it does not mean you are dumb, that kind of philosophy is the most idiotic thing I've heard. Would you then say because someone doesn't know how to pot a plant they are dumb for not knowing the ways of gardening but the same person might be fluent in mathematics and English, does this make them smart? Cassie simply did not know how people of color were treated because she was a child - because the idea of someone being less than you for the sake of their skin color is ludicrous to begin with so children naturally wouldn't think of it. Only those with selfish intents, jealousy, and arrogance thought in such a way, things adults are susceptible to. So naturally, she would attribute any rude or hateful action towards her as something personal or because of an age difference. She once states: ( "Adults were one thing; I could almost understand that. They ruled things and there was nothing that could be done about them. But some kid who was no bigger than me was something else again." - pg 110 ) this shows just how much she doesn't think of her race or anybody else's as the problem, here she thinks the shopkeeper isn't taking their order first because they are children and so thought little of.
In addition, you are told at the beginning of the book that Cassie and her family are lucky to be on the land that she has, this land is mostly the only place that she resides besides school. Even then, they only see white children in passing, and yes you might say she should know there was a difference between them because the white children had a bus and they didn't. However, she could also attribute that to her school not having enough funds for a bus and she still hasn't put two and two together because the idea of racism is foreign to a child until their smacked in the face with it. And most of the low star reviews complain that she should know by now but don't you know this book's purpose is in telling how her experiences affected her in the 1930s'. Not only her but you see in other characters that things start changing like Stacy's run-in with T.J at the general store, how at the end of the chapter he learned how to own up and tell the truth. Some claim there was no character development and the plot should have been more interesting to intrigue the readers, but that was a fine point of character development and there were more if you only looked, it doesn't even require deep thought.
As for "interesting" plot, this isn't some mystery novel, it's telling the story of a black girl really facing racism, in fact getting the frontal blow of it for the first time. If you can't see anything to keep you interested in that, I guess you just can't identify with it, moreover the characters. These characters based on truths were not privileged enough to live a life worth an "interesting plot" instead they were faced with arrogance, hate, and bigotry. Now, how about the claim that her parents should have told her from the beginning "how the world works". If you make such a claim I'd like you to imagine for a moment that you have a child, very young, just learning how to speak and use motor skills. Every day you tell this child, you remind them that what they "need" to know. You say "Now listen here, everyone out there that looks different from you, they hate you. They don't like you but it's ok because that's just how the world works and at least you can still live, right?" What do you think that child will feel like after being constantly reminded that their skin color is their own fault, and they should be thankful to be alive? I'd say, this is just a guess here - but I'd say absolute garbage if we're keeping this PG. I'd really like to know how someone could think that telling a child such a thing at an early age, poisoning their ears with other people hate, how could that be a thing a mother would do to her child, wanting or not? You can tell that Cassie's mother loves her, she doesn't want her to face the realities of the cruel harsh world. Eventually, she knows she's going to have to tell her and eventually she does make it straight, yes after certain incidents, but that's to be expected since she wanted to keep it from her as long as possible. To stress this point I'd like to remind you that Cassie is facing and just recognizing racism for the first time and that is what this book is telling you of.
Some also said that all the characters were dumb because they made mistakes and such. Well, when have you ever seen a perfect saint? And I'd say that making a mistake doesn't make you an idiot, making the same one more than once, however, is not an intelligent thing to do. Even then, people don't always make mistakes from idiocy or lack of common sense. Instead, it comes from the inability to control their emotions or desires. This makes them a flawed person and if you can't understand that you might be past helping. These characters have personality and spunk, some lovable, and some you sympathize with even when they make mistakes because even though you want to strangle them for their actions you can understand why they did what they did. In all, I think those who can't handle the truth of matters during these times and regard books about black folks being good research material shouldn't waste their time reading them because the words are lost on them.
This is just something that made me laugh, but I saw one review that said the word "negro (in variations)" was used too much it was "not pleasant". You'd think after white people's ancestors (and some today) been using racial slurs for so long they'd be fine with reading it a little in a piece of literature defending the black people's circumstances. There is no use in telling the truth with honesty and integrity yet leaving out a few words for being too harsh or cruel. That's what it was and I believe she told straight it like it was said. I'd hate to seem em' read [b:The Autobiography of Malcolm X|92057|The Autobiography of Malcolm X|Malcolm X|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1434682864l/92057._SY75_.jpg|47400] (great by the way).
____________________________________
Quotes
"But we all wanted to do it," I comforted."
"Not me!" denied Christopher-John. "All I wanted to do was eat my lunch!" (Taylor, 63)
'I faltered only for a moment before deciding that my bottom was more important than Stacey's code of honor.
"-and Stacey had to tale the blame for it and Mama whipped him right in front of God and everybody!" ' (Taylor, 86)
"I ain't nobody's little nigger!" (Taylor, 111)
"Unnecessary trouble! You think my brother died and I got my leg half blown off in their German war to have some red-neck knock Cassie around anytime it suits him?" (Taylor, 124)
"It—it didn't even make no difference," muttered T.J.
"What?" said R.W. "You comin' ain't you? You still want that pearl-handled pistol don't you?"
"Yeah, but—"
...
'But T.J did not follow immediately. He remained standing in the middle of the compound, his face puzzled and undecided. I had never seen him look more desolately alone, ' (Taylor, 241)
This part broke me
"You go on back to bed, Cassie. I'll be all right."
"Yeah, I know you gonna be all right 'cause I'm gonna tell Papa!" (Taylor, 249)
"Not me," said Christopher-John, lying back down again. (Taylor, 250)
lauraduke's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
sydatwell's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted this book to be good, but the whole time I felt like I was reading the same scenario over and over again: Cassie wants to go with her brother. Her brother says no. Cassie says she’s going anyway. Her brother says okay. They see or get into something they shouldn’t. The end.
Honestly, one of the most burning books I’ve ever read.
Honestly, one of the most burning books I’ve ever read.
beautyfullperla's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
rebeccasarine's review against another edition
4.0
This is apart of our history that I want my children aware of. So many good dicussions came from this book. I read it aloud with my daughter. Struggle, hard choices, self respect, choosing friends, and dealing with racism/differences.
zasey's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
llychu's review against another edition
4.0
usually i dont really like the books i read in school but reading this in sixth grade opened my eyes a lot fs
i cant summarize the whole book but the memory of reading this is so nostalgic and i remember liking it a lot so yur
i cant summarize the whole book but the memory of reading this is so nostalgic and i remember liking it a lot so yur
kaylawayla's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I had to read it for a class but it was actually very interesting
lanadelrat's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25