When twelve-year-old Marie meets Lena, she can’t help but be friends with her - despite losing her old friends in the process. But after Lena tells Marie her secret, can they still be friends - or will it change them both forever? This is a subtle discussion of sexual abuse, appropriate for younger teens. ( )

http://seejennread.livejournal.com/17... ( )

Colter Brantz
EDCI 4120/5120

Woodson, J. (1994) I hadn’t meant to tell you this. New York: Delacorte.

Grade Levels: 7-9
Category: Realistic fiction

Read-Alouds: 14-19 (chapter 4, Lena) 52-59 (chapter 14, Lena’s dad) 107-115 (chapter 26, Someplace safe)

Summary: Chauncey Ohio is a town divided. The point of division is a river, and that river divides the black from the white. Lena is white, poor, the daughter of a sexually abusive laborer, and her mother is gone. Marie is black, rich, the daughter of a college professor, and her mother is gone just the same. Marie comes from a world where black is good and poor white is white trash, and because of this she initially thinks of Lena as trash as well. As the two get to know each other Marie begins to understand that Lena is far from trash, and deserves to be safe from the touch of her father. They develop a sacred friendship and realize that their racial differences are far outweighed by the things that they have in common with one another. Each girl needs support that she cannot find at home, so they lean on each other, until Lena is forced to run from her father, and Marie must learn to lean on herself and on her memory of Lena’s strength.

Themes: The universality of love is the predominant theme in this novel. Love is shown to be complicated regardless of whether it is platonic, romantic, relational, or otherwise. Race is also a key theme in the novel, and the focus in this vein is primarily on the real limitations of racial perceptions, and the created nature of racial difference.

Discussion Questions:
Why is Marie so reluctant to challenge her relationship with Sherry? How does Lena affect this relationship?
How would you characterize the love between Lena and Marie? Is it platonic, romantic, something else entirely? Does the difference really matter to you? To the book?
How does the father daughter relationship affect the two main characters in the book? Is Lena correct when she says a father can love too much, or she unclear on the meaning of love?

Reader Response: This book is short in length, but long on social commentary. Woodson seems to have a knack for discussing themes of social import without slipping into the modes of preaching. The characters take center stage in the novel despite the weight of the issues at hand, and this guarantees the engagement of its readers. Woodson also has a talent for dealing with issues of race without pigeonholing the entirety of a group, and also without forgoing a discussion of painful social realities. Last, I couldn’t have asked for a more carefully conceived portrayal of love than that between Lena and Marie. The book does not require that this love be given any sort of label, and I find that to be a powerful statement in and of itself. This book in unison with Hush gives me an appreciation for Woodson’s talent as a whole. ( )

The story takes place in Chauncey Ohio where the line is drawn for blacks and whites (figuratively). The black families live on the suburban side while the white families live on the poor, factory filled side. When by chance two 12 year old girls paths cross a silent friendship starts to form. Both girls have more in common that they realize; both have lost their mother, one to cancer, one to needing her space. As they build trust in each other and learn to ignore that stares of disapproval, a secret is revealed in regards to molestation by one of their fathers. The friendship is challenged by the public as well as the father of the black girl. Will the secret be revealed and loose the friendship or will the agony of molestation continue without authorities knowing.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and plan on reading the sequel, "Lena". The book was an easy read, and is appropriate for ages 12 and above. I feel the subject of molestation is touched on appropriately for the pre-teen age. The characters are believable as well as the description of the town they live in. This fictional book is well written and believable. I had problems putting the book down and found myself wanting to know what happens on the next page through the entire book.
As a classroom extension I would use the opportunity to touch on segregation, living conditions and mindset of folks in that type of town. I would encourage feedback from the students as to their feeling about how the girls formed a friendship against the wishes of family and community. The class could also learn about the proper way to handle a situation as incest and molestation through a classroom visit from the school counselor, and to learn what they can do if a friend divulges such a secret to them.

Chauncey, Ohio is a town divided by race: there are rich suburbs inhabited mostly by African-Americans, and slums where white factory workers live with their families. In spite of disapproval of her father and friends, Marie forms a friendship with Lena, a girl from the wrong side of town. Their bond grows stronger when they discover that both of them have lost their mothers. When Lena entrusts Marie with a dangerous secret, Marie must decide whether to keep it or to tell someone and risk losing her friend.
This book deals with the topics of racism and incest in a way that is accessible to junior high school-aged kids, and although it doesn't have a typical happy ending, it doesn't end in complete despair either. I also liked the way the author deals with race issues – both Lena’s father and Marie’s father are prejudice in different ways, showing that racism goes in both directions.
"I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This" is a Coretta Scott King Honor Book. I would recommend it for kids ages 12-15, especially girls. Kids who enjoy it should check out the sequel, "Lena." ( )