Gr 5-8 Eleven-year-old Raisin Stackhouse is the oldest of three sisters in a black family that lives in Gumbo Grove, S.C. She is intensely interested in finding out about history and heroes, but, when she questions why her class never studies about blacks ``who did stuff around here,'' her history teacher's response is that no blacks there had ever done anything worth talking about. Elderly Effie Pfluggins knows better than that, and she has proof. Raisin soon becomes precariously involved in the past by helping Miss Effie clean up the church's cemetery, where history virtually explodes into their lives. Before long, the entire community is enlightened by revelations from Raisin and Miss Effie. Subplots of peer and family relationships, including sibling rivalry, are masterfully blended to create a warm, humorous, and wonderful story centered around an intellectually curious and spirited black girl. An array of characters draws readers into and out of serious moments and humorous exchanges. The black speech may inconvenience readers unfamiliar with it, but truth requires it to be as it is presentedpoetic in its relevance. An echo of similarity with Virginia Hamilton's The House of Dies Drear (Macmillan, 1968) prevails through the portrayals of black family life and the searches for important historical connections. The outstanding differences are the warmth and humor of Gumbo Grove , which demonstrate the welcomed emergence of another talented and appealing black writer of books for children. Helen E. Williams, University of Maryland, College Park
The Secret of Gumbo Grove
Eleven-year-old Raisin enjoys doing odd jobs for old Ms. Effie Pfluggins. Ms. Effie is the church secretary, and she has fascinating stories to tell about the African American history and people of Gumbo Grove. When old Miss Pfluggins asks her to help clean up the church cemetery, Raisin discovers a real-life mystery that no one wants to talk about. There's a famous person buried in a forgotten plot, but the townsfolk seem to think that the past is better left buried. Now Raisin's parents are watching her every move and they don't want her nosing around in the cemetery anymore. How can she ignore a mystery that the whole town seems eager to forget? Eleanora E. Tate blends mystery, warmth, and humor into an unforgettable tale set in a small North Carolina town. Children of any age or race will identify with this spirited African-American girl who values truth and stands up for her beliefs.
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The Secret of Gumbo Grove
Eleven-year-old Raisin enjoys doing odd jobs for old Ms. Effie Pfluggins. Ms. Effie is the church secretary, and she has fascinating stories to tell about the African American history and people of Gumbo Grove. When old Miss Pfluggins asks her to help clean up the church cemetery, Raisin discovers a real-life mystery that no one wants to talk about. There's a famous person buried in a forgotten plot, but the townsfolk seem to think that the past is better left buried. Now Raisin's parents are watching her every move and they don't want her nosing around in the cemetery anymore. How can she ignore a mystery that the whole town seems eager to forget? Eleanora E. Tate blends mystery, warmth, and humor into an unforgettable tale set in a small North Carolina town. Children of any age or race will identify with this spirited African-American girl who values truth and stands up for her beliefs.
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Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940170644285 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Recorded Books, LLC |
| Publication date: | 02/08/2013 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
| Age Range: | 8 - 11 Years |
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