5 stars
A powerful story depicting a child’s-eye view of racism is the 1930s.
Narrated by Cassie, the book follows the Logan family as they fight for survival in Depression-era Mississippi. Join Cassie as she goes to school, helps with the household, and deals with her annoying siblings. But as Cassie gets older, there are things she doesn’t understand like why her school gets hand-me-down books from the white school, why the white customers are served first at the store, and why the people responsible for a violent burning haven’t been arrested.
A hard-hitting book, fantastically written. The book blends sweet family moments with tough conversations and historical mistreatment. The Logan family works to maintain their independence and fight against mistreatment while balancing the family’s safety.
I really loved the interactions between Cassie and her parents. Each of them take the time to talk through what’s happening to help her understand. They focus on people acting a certain way because of what those people believe, not because it’s true. They instill confidence, independence, and self-worth in her while also discussing the dangers of acting certain ways around white people. I love that they nurture her independent spirit and instill pride and courage in her.
The book does include scenes of violence, racism, and racial slurs.
Fantastically written with an engaging story and memorable characters. Looking forward to reading more about the Logan family and see what happens next.