Unstoppable Octobia May

by Sharon G. Flake

Overview

Bestselling and award-winning author, Sharon G. Flake, delivers a mystery set in the 1950s that eerily blends history, race, culture, and family.

Octobia May is girl filled with questions. Her heart condition makes her special - and, some folks would argue, gives this ten-year-old powers that make her a "wise soul." Thank goodness for Auntie, who convinces Octobia's parents to let her live in her boarding house that is filled with old folks. That's when trouble, and excitement, and wonder begin. Auntie is non-traditional. She's unmarried and has plans to purchase other boarding homes and hotels. At a time when children, and especially girls, are "seen, not heard," Auntie allows Octobia May the freedom and expression of an adult. When Octobia starts to question the folks in her world, an adventure and a mystery unfold that beg some troubling questions: Who is black and who is "passing" for white? What happens when a vibrant African American community must face its own racism? And, perhaps most important: Do vampires really exist? In her most and probing novel yet, Sharon G. Flake takes us on a heart-pumping journey.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545609623
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	09/29/2015
Edition description:	Reissue
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 7.60(h) x 0.80(d)
Lexile:	550L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

As the prolific author of numerous books, Sharon G. Flake’s novels have brought a bold dimension to literature for young people, selling more than a million copies worldwide, and reaching readers across the globe through numerous translations and theatrical productions. Ms. Flake’s impressive body of work includes dozens of novels, chapter books, and illustrated works. She is the recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King Author Honor Awards and is a Kirkus Award nominee. Ms. Flake has received numerous NAACP Image Award nominations, among other citations, and has been praised as one of the single most influential authors of teen works whose novels have inspired a pantheon of writers. To learn more, please visit: sharongflake.com

Editorial Reviews

Praise for PINNED* "Brilliantly realized...An uplifting story that convincingly celebrates the power of perseverance."—KIRKUS REVIEWS, starred review* "...constructing two authentic, distinct voices that expose the strengths and flaws of both teenagers..."—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, starred review* "Autumn and Adonis, in addition to the supporting characters—parents, teachers, and friends alike—have distinctive personalities and voices, enhancing the story's depth and complexity."—THE HORN BOOK, starred review

From the Publisher

Narrator Bahni Turpin perfectly captures 10-year-old Octobia May, who's sent to live with her Aunt Shuma in her boardinghouse after she suffers a heart ailment at birth. Turpin portrays each of the personable boarders, skillfully re-creating men and women—Jewish, black, and white—as independent and distinct individuals. Feisty Octobia has a freedom seldom enjoyed by other "colored" girls in Eisenhower's America. She's convinced Mr. Davenport, one of the boarders, is a vampire. When she and her friend, Jonah, try to prove it, they have a thrilling adventure and learn that things aren't always what they seem. Officer O'Malley is Turpin's standout character—his accent and personality are pure Irish-American cop! In addition to enjoying an exciting mystery, young listeners will learn about 1950s America. S.G.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2015 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine

NOVEMBER 2014 - AudioFile