James Hitt

This book was captivating from the beginning. Teenage Davy, raised by his aunt and uncle, welcomes home his uncle who is barely alive after being injured in World War I. Also characters in the story are the mayor, Lon Barron, and the deputy Sheriff, Jim Kennison. Davy's Aunt Esther hires a black healing woman, Sister Rose, to nurse Uncle Marsh back to health. The story reveals the deep racism in the community, and how Davy's aunt and uncle are the only ones to try to treat the black people in the community fairly. Over time, Davy becomes friends with Rose's son Daniel, and falls in love with Rachel. Some rough men don't approve of interracial friendship, and attack Davy and Daniel; Daniel kills one in self-defense and is put on trial for murder. The story continues with excitement, until it finally ends rather unexpectedly and in tragedy.

It is a good story, though I found the ending disappointing - though probably sadly realistic. I wish I could have had my middle school son read it, as I think it gives a good perspective of racial issues 100 years ago, but there was one explicit scene that prevents me from doing that.… (more)

Grand Prize Winner for Fiction 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards

In 1919 Texas, sixteen-year-old orphan Davy Stoneman lives with his aunt Esther and Uncle Marsh who was gassed in WWI and is partly invalided. They run the dry goods store in the small town of Twin Forks.

Aunt Esther hires Sister Rose, a black woman who practices ancient herbal remedies, creating tensions in town.

While Sister Rose tends to Uncle Marsh, Davey gets to know her son, Daniel. Eventually, as they become friends, Davey joins with Daniel and a black girl, Rachel, to help with the renovation of a house in Boonsville, where most (all?) of the black people live, to use as a school. More tension.

Told through Davy’s eyes, this is a riveting, well-paved coming of age in a time and place of social and racial divides.

I would classify this book as Young Adult fiction but I wouldn’t let that stop an adult of any age from reading and enjoying this.

I received an ecopy of The Courage of Others from the LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program. This did not affect my review or rating.… (more)

I hope everyone has a chance to grab a copy of this book. It is well written and touches on a difficult subject of racism. Sometimes it is difficult to write about , but the author really did a great job of allowing readers to understand what it is feels to look different from others and not be accepted by them .

The story takes place in a small Texas town in the 1920s. I love stories set in Texas. Well it could be that I live in Texas and think it is a great place to live. The author describes the town as a small town where neighbor's help each other. However there is an underlying issue that is starting to cause a stir in the town. I can't imagine that even in the early days there were tension between races, but it is something that is real and the author captures the anger, hurt and true impact of this issue with a powerful story.

Davy is a young boy who sees his uncle Marsh as he exits the train after serving in the war. Marsh looks different with the weight of the war showing on his face. I could picture his haggard look and feel his pain as he steps off into the crowd. Can you imagine what he must have witnessed fighting in the war? It has really changed him and Davy takes note of this . Does Marsh look well or is he home because his health has deteriorated ?

The story is very well written and the characters are very relatable . I loved Davy and his determination to fight injustice. There is an encounter with a group that will cause a great amount of chaos. Will Davy and his family be able to stand up to them? What happens when Davy becomes friends with someone that others disapprove of? Would you be brave enough to stand up for what is right?

I received a copy of this book from Libraything Giveaway for an honest review.… (more)