Monday, June 25, 2012

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Thank you as always to Jen and Kellee of Teachmentortexts.com. I ordered Crow by Barbara Wright several weeks ago because Colby Sharp reviewed it on one of his linked posts. What a powerful book on so many levels!

Crow is about an African American family living in North Carolina in the late nineteenth century. I have read many historical fiction books about the Civil Rights Movement but not much about the more immediate post-Civil War era. In many ways, this book reminded me of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, one of my all-time favorite books to read and re-read. Moses, the main character, has an educated and highly principled father who teaches him about character, democracy, and leadership and a grandmother who was a slave and teaches him about traditions, common sense, culture, and resilience. There are many opportunities for weighty discussions about right vs. right decisions, different types of intelligences, and the importance of independent thinking.

I really can't say enough about this book as a lens into a disturbing part of American history and as a springboard to discuss important 21st century values. Moses, his parents, and his amazing grandmother are characters that will stay with me for a long, long time--perhaps even taking seats with Scout, Atticus, and Jem in my literary world.

9 comments:

  1. I haven't been motivated to read Crow yet. I think the cover is throwing me off. It's just not appealing to me. I do think the story sounds interesting though. Someday I'll get to it! Thank for sharing!

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  2. Glad you liked Crow. A terrific way to share about that interesting time period with some very memorable characters, indeed!

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  3. This book sounds amazing - I must have missed Colby's recommendation, but after reading your review, I'm putting in my TBR immediately. Thanks!

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  4. I have it, just haven't read it yet. Guess I'll need to move it closer to the top. Thanks for the great review!

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  5. I haven't read this one yet, but it sounds spectacular. I'm definitely putting it on my to-read list. Thanks for the recommendation!

    Have a fabulous reading week and if you get a chance stop by There's A Book to see what I'm up to as well. :)

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  6. This one was good. Back in February 2012, I tried to read an African American book for each day, and found a lot of good civil rights books from a variety of time periods. I also rather liked Glory Be and We've Got a Job.

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  7. Crow is on my TBR list, and this recommendation and the comparison to To Kill A Mockingbird may have just bumped it up ;)

    I also, love, love, loved Lions of Little Rock and I'm glad to see that you enjoyed it too. I agree it would make a wonderful book club read.

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  8. Both of you Melanies read historical fiction books that I want to read so badly. I'm glad Crow is good.

    Happy reading this week! :)

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  9. Oooo... I need to add this to my list. I adored Lions of Little Rock!

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