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azajacks's review against another edition
4.0
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id_rather_be_reading_'s review against another edition
dark
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
5.0
A Black boy and a white boy are best friends in the segregated South. They both understand the harshness of the world they live in but choose to stand together to prove that genuine friendship is about your heart and not the color of your skin. The author explains the circumstances of Freedom Summer and how her life experiences and her thoughts about segregation led to her writing this book.
srl5041's review against another edition
5.0
The pain of discrimination through innocent children's eyes. And the relationship that doesn't stagger no matter the laws.
rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
3.0
Joe and John Henry are best friends. Joe never questioned why his friend couldn't go into stores with him and didn't seem to mind that they couldn't swim together in the public pool. That changes when he overhears his parents saying that the pool and businesses of their town will be open for all, regardless of race.
Joe and John make plans to swim there the following day. They rush excitedly to the pool, only to find workers covering it up with tar. The townspeople would rather close the pool down, than have African-Americans be able to swim in it. Shocked and disappointed the boys look on until the job is done.
As they head home, they stop at the store where they'll buy ice cream as they usually do. This time John Henry is not satisfied waiting outside while Joe gets the treats. The boys decide that they will go in together. This is how the book ends.
While the books ending is meant to be hopeful, I can't help but wonder what fate awaits the boys as they walk in that door.
Joe and John make plans to swim there the following day. They rush excitedly to the pool, only to find workers covering it up with tar. The townspeople would rather close the pool down, than have African-Americans be able to swim in it. Shocked and disappointed the boys look on until the job is done.
As they head home, they stop at the store where they'll buy ice cream as they usually do. This time John Henry is not satisfied waiting outside while Joe gets the treats. The boys decide that they will go in together. This is how the book ends.
While the books ending is meant to be hopeful, I can't help but wonder what fate awaits the boys as they walk in that door.
kslhersam's review against another edition
4.0
Very well-done picture book about the 50's/60's and integration in the South. I appreciated it being from the white child's perspective.
aklibrarychick's review against another edition
5.0
One of the handful of truly excellent picture books that I review. Set during the summer of 1964 and highlighting the friendship between two fictional boys - one black and one white - this story will touch the heart. The part that affected me the most and, in fact, made me angry, was when the town decides to fill the community pool with concrete rather than allow it to be integrated. An important, well-written, wonderfully illustrated book.
izadorarose's review against another edition
2.0
I had to read this book as part of a summer school program with incoming 3rd graders. I ultimately opted out of reading the book because I struggled a lot with some issues with the book.
First, the book is written by a white woman from the perspective of a white boy about his understanding of desegregation and racism. The only thing I can be thankful for is that she didn't write from the perspective of the black boy. As it is, I felt uncomfortable reading a book that revolved around segregation and racism...and wasn't told from the point of view (or written!) by someone who was primarily impacted by it. Secondly, I struggled with the fact that the boys were friends because John Henry's (the black boy) mother was a servant for the white boy's family. When the white boy finds out the pool is being desegregated, he asks to be excused to go to the kitchen to tell John Henry because, of course, John Henry isn't allowed to eat dinner with the family because his mother is working (and serving them their dinner). As a BIPOC activist said: "If it's not [made/by] with us, it's not for us."
First, the book is written by a white woman from the perspective of a white boy about his understanding of desegregation and racism. The only thing I can be thankful for is that she didn't write from the perspective of the black boy. As it is, I felt uncomfortable reading a book that revolved around segregation and racism...and wasn't told from the point of view (or written!) by someone who was primarily impacted by it. Secondly, I struggled with the fact that the boys were friends because John Henry's (the black boy) mother was a servant for the white boy's family. When the white boy finds out the pool is being desegregated, he asks to be excused to go to the kitchen to tell John Henry because, of course, John Henry isn't allowed to eat dinner with the family because his mother is working (and serving them their dinner). As a BIPOC activist said: "If it's not [made/by] with us, it's not for us."
alielinens's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
thompson3's review against another edition
4.0
Two best friends grow up during segregation. One is the African American housekeeper's son and the other is the white homeowner's son. All is well until the town is desegregated and the pool is filled in rather than allow African Americans to swim.
Wiles creates a beautiful story of friendship between two young boys who choose to ignore the color line drawn so solidly in the sand by society. Lush acrylic illustrations accompany the easy text. This story will work exceptionally well as an introduction to the legal segregation that plagued our country for decades.
Wiles creates a beautiful story of friendship between two young boys who choose to ignore the color line drawn so solidly in the sand by society. Lush acrylic illustrations accompany the easy text. This story will work exceptionally well as an introduction to the legal segregation that plagued our country for decades.
lmurray74's review against another edition
5.0
This book gives me goosebumps every time I read it. It's a beautifully told and illustrated tale of friendship in the segregated south during the Freedom Summer of '64.