Chicago-born Armstrong Tom is fifteen, black and unused to the segregated ways of the Deep South when his mother sends him to spend the summer with relatives in her native rural Mississippi. For speaking a few innocuous words in French to a white woman, Armstrong pays the ultimate price when her husband and his friends come to teach him a lesson.
Each of these characters-white and black- are changed, then, and forever, by the horror of poverty, the legacy of justice, and love's power to heal.
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"This is one of the best books that I've read in a long time. It traces different people who are black through their lives and relationships and through changing times. So much changed with respect to race in such a short time in this country. I found this book fascinating. Cannot say enough good about it."
— Rachel (5 out of 5 stars)
" This book is the reason I am an author! I fell in love with Bebe Moore Campbell's writing style and a light bulb went off. I highly recommend this novel. It's groundbreaking. The story will have you riveted. You will tell your friends to read this book, I promise. "
— Tanya, 2/17/2014" I was so excited when I first read this novel by Bebe Moore Campbell. Unfortunately, I don't think her later works fullfilled my expectations. "
— Reggie, 2/14/2014" had to read it for school, but it was actually good. "
— Jennifer, 2/10/2014" Read it for a class on representations of lynching. Middle-brow, easy read; only worth reading because of the minimal time investment required. "
— Danielle, 2/10/2014" Pretty good book--follows the lives of a few Southern folks, Black and White, as they struggle with life, death, and prejudices. A bit long at some points. "
— Catherine, 2/1/2014" I read this book long ago, for a class. What's great about it is that it switches you in and our of time periods throughout the book, all the while connecting the characters until the end. It's been so long, I probably need to read this one again as well. "
— Kellea, 1/16/2014" loved it. does a great job describing how relationships are influenced by social and historical forces. "
— Sheetal, 1/13/2014" We all have a collective pain. "
— Keonna, 1/11/2014" I read this in an African American Lit class and really and truly enjoyed it. I enjoy exploring racism and tensions and felt the development in this novel was truly impressive. "
— Hudak, 1/9/2014" A powerful read written with a beautiful storytelling flair. Interesting to note the aspects of the work that are uniquely American, and others that could have been set right here in South Africa with hardly a difference. "
— Tiah, 1/1/2014" Naughty beginning! Graphic in nature but I was intrigued by the racial clash of the 60's. I hated the ending and felt let down after the whole pull of the book. However, looking back I would still say it was a good book. "
— Kristin, 12/7/2013Pamella D‘Pella is an American actress, singer-songwriter, photographer, and dancer. Pamella is recognized for her extensive acting career, most notably for her years spent as “Julia” in the long running soap opera The Young and the Restless.
Alison Smith, acclaimed author, editor, teacher, reporter and activist, began her writing career later in life. Since her book debut, Name All the Animals, was named one of the top ten books of 2004 by People Magazine, she’s gone on to win numerous awards for her work which has been published all over the world. Smith currently teaches MFA writing programs and lectures on writing and authorship at universities and high schools throughout the country.