Monday, September 3, 2018

It's Monday - It's a Giveaway



          Visit Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders to see what they've been reading, along with everyone else who link up.  

           Thanks to Candlewick Press, I'm thrilled to offer a giveaway of two prize packs of a paperback of Zora & Me by Victoria Bond and T.R. Simon and the next adventure, Zora & Me - The Cursed Ground by T.R. Simon out next week!  Zora & Me is a new story to me although it came out in 2010 and received the John Steptoe New Talent Award. US & Canada only, no PO boxes!


             I have fallen in love with these stories, these characters. 



            Racial duplicity threatens an idyllic African American community in the turn-of-the-century South in a debut inspired by the early life of Zora Neale Hurston. a fascinating slice of history. Eatonville, Florida, was ‘the first incorporated all-black township in the United States.’ That was in 1887. It was also the place where the family of Zora Neale Hurston, one of America’s most esteemed writers, moved in 1894, and where she grew up from the age of three years.


           This early fictional story of the child, Zora Neale Hurston, can be enjoyed on several levels. First, the idea of children off on their own adventures through the marshes is something I would wish for every child. Second, to love that the idea of stories believed and imagined comes from a wonderful storyteller herself, Ms. Hurston. No matter whether she tells truth or stretches it, her friends stick by her and end up in a bit of trouble because of it, but they don't mind. The authors chose to let Zora’s best friend Carrie tell the story, of Zora’s created shape-shifting gator man who lives in the marshes, waiting to steal human souls. When a man recently met is found dead by the railroad tracks, serious, and grown-up, complications arise. This is a calm and comforting African-American town whose peace and security is in danger. Though a middle-grade novel, the story is complex, bringing family struggles in along with community heroes who know justice needs to be served. Not everyone, including Zora, understands just what that means until the ending. 
            Reviews share that this astonishing novel is the first project ever to be endorsed by the Zora Neale Hurston Trust that was not authored by Hurston herself.  If readers want to sit on the edge of their seats while reading, this is a book to read!
            Added at the back is more information about Ms. Hurston: a timeline, a brief biography, and an annotated bibliography.



        Now, a second adventure is coming September 11th, with Zora's family, the neighbors, the townspeople all here again, but the danger seems even more real. Carrie shares this story of a white man's challenge, a mystery that becomes connected as I read the chapters. Carrie's words alternate in chapters from Eatonville 1903 and a new place, Westin, in 1855, from where a young girl names Lucia tells another story. The children, Zora, Carrie, and Teddy, are all involved again, searching out new mysteries they did not know about their town and the people in it who were keeping them safe. Early in the story, Carrie says she didn't hold the scrapes they had against Zora, because "She made life in a town no bigger than a teacup feel like it held the whole world." 
      As the story unfolds, perhaps one can imagine it as connected to the whole world. Those with power try to take advantage of those who have little, yet also those who hold the goodness of human dignity above all else stand up to support despite the danger. Simon writes: "The men of Eatonville did not grow darker with the fading light; rather, they seemed to shine brighter in it." Later: "These men had fathered and made this town whole in spite of the hate of an entire nation." This time the tension is real, but the actions inspire.
       Yes, like the first book, this second story is complex and a fascinating fictional adventure that I imagine Zora Neale Hurston would have loved. 

       REMEMBER TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now reading: One new from Candlewick, Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina. I dropped that one adult book, just could not get interested, and also started Birds Art Life by Kyo Maclear.

24 comments:

  1. These books sound fascinating. I never read the first Zora and Me, but I'd like to read both and share them with students. Looking forward to hearing what you think of Merci Suarez. It's one of my favorite recent reads.

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    1. I'm enjoying Merci Suarez very much so far, Lisa, glad to hear your opinion too! The Zora & Me books are such good stories, & fascinating history, too! Thanks!

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  2. I'd love to read these books and then give them to students!Kids who know me know that I love history, and they're always interested to read good books that I recommend. Susan Hutchens

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    1. Terrific to hear. They are wonderful books that your students will enjoy! Thanks for coming by!

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  3. I just read Merci Suarez, and I really loved it! I think middle-grade readers will find so much to love about Merci.

    I'll have to add both of the Zora books to my TBR list - I would love to share them with my students!

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    1. I am loving the family stuff about Merci & her clear thoughts & courage already, Lorraine. I think I'll love it too. The Zora books are terrific, too. I hated to see that I was done when I read the 2nd one. Thanks!

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  4. Both of these books look like great companions to tell a fascinating story. Definitely looking forward to checking them out. Thanks for sharing and have an awesome week!

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    1. You're welcome, Jana, enjoy the Zora books! They are great stories.

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  5. Thanks for bringing attention to these books. I have to see if we even carry the first one at the store.

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    1. You're welcome, Earl. I hope you do find them & then read & enjoy them!

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  6. Thanks! If I win, I'll read them aloud to my class!!

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  7. My husband and I are huge fans of Zora Neale Hurston and I adored the Zora and Me books -- both of them. The characters have such beautiful development and they've really stuck with me. I've read both books almost back to back and I hope the series will continue for a long time. I would LOVE to win copies of each, so pick me!! ;) Thanks for the shares, Linda!

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    1. I was very sad when I finished that second one, Shaye, hope another does come soon! And I'm glad to hear that you loved them, too. Yes, Zora Neale Hurston is a writer to know! Thanks!

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  8. I've been hearing a lot about these books - they really sound great!

    Sue

    Book By Book

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    1. They are, Sue, wonderfully creative by the authors. Thanks!

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  9. Living in the south all of my life has made me alert to racism and the terrible injustices left in its path. I am very interested in these books. Thanks for offering a give away.

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    1. I'm glad to introduce you to these two, Margaret. They're great stories. Thanks!

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  10. Wow, thanks for the reviews and the opportunity to win.

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    1. If I win, I will donate them to a local elementary school that is high poverty and very diverse.

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    2. You're welcome, Jane, happy you enjoyed the reviews. They're two terrific books!

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  11. They look like great companion texts! Too bad I missed the giveaway. :)
    Have a great reading week, Linda!

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