Mister and Me

This was an incredible book. Going through Jolene's internal struggles was easy to identify with because of how her internal thoughts were narrated throughout the story. Jolene's thoughts that were going on inside her head were inserted in between moments as they happened. For example, she would think to herself many different sassy remarks about Mister Leroy all the time. The way Jolene concluded her disapproval for Mr. Leroy was almost silly and unreasonable from an adult point of view. But the way Jolene's train of thought is written reminded me of how I worried and defended myself over feelings that I didn't quite understand or know how to talk about when I was a child. So this really helped me feel the same feelings that Jolene was show more dealing with. Even though Jolene acts rudely at times, I always felt like what she did and said was justifiable because, from a readers point of view, I was hearing all of her personal internal thoughts and feelings about everything. I could feel that her fears and anxieties were coming from the loss of her Father and an effort to preserve and protect her family. Even though my parents have always been together, it was easy for me to empathize with the pain that Jolene was dealing with because my mother lost her father at a very young age. As I was reading, I often felt myself thinking about how my mother must have felt dealing with her loss at that age. I loved how patient Leroy was about everything. One of my favorite moments was when Leroy and Jolene go out dancing together. Leroy was so good about respecting Jolene's space, but at the same time making an effort to gain her trust and approval. It was clear to me that he cared deeply about Jolene, especially after his proud/joyful tears after receiving the symbolic quilt that Jolene made. For me, the quilt was a general representation of Jolene realizing that she has the power to rebuild and fix the parts of her life that feel broken. The way it ended with them all hugging really got to me. It made me think about how strong and important family is, especially to children.

I also loved the historical setting of this book. It takes place in a mill town outside of Alexandria, Louisiana. The Louisiana setting made it easy for me to relate and visualize many places. The year is 1940 and it's the winter time. Holt uses all these subtle details to describe different aspects of their settings. Instead of directly saying where the characters are, Holt simply described different sensory details about the surrounding environment that gives the reader enough contexts to conceptualize the settings. Holt was really good about describing the segregation and division of class and race through the description of details in the setting. She also pointed this out through many of Jolene's personal observations. The setting felt realistic and educational without taking too much away from the emotional journey of all the characters. show less

After her father died, Jolene's family has always been Momma (Ruby), Grandpa, and herself. Her mother sews, her grandpa goes to work, and every Friday night they would go to the picture show. This changes when they encounter Leroy Redfield one Friday night. Jolene immediately does not like him: "Leroy was the biggest, loudest, sweatiest flathead getting off the train." Things get worse when Leroy starts taking Ruby dancing. Jolene refuses to call him anything but "Mister," but Leroy laughs. After a while, Leroy wants to marry Ruby and has a talk with Jolene. He buys Ruby beautiful red velvet fabric to sew a dress, but Jolene tears it up and hides the pieces to get back at him. She regrets this when Leroy proposes and asks for the fabric show more to give to Ruby. Ruby is infuriated with Jolene for destroying such expensive fabric, but Leroy says nothing. Grandpa and Ruby then have to leave for New Orleans to visit a sick family member, leaving Leroy to watch after Jolene. Determined to make it up to her mother, Jolene grabs all the scraps of fabric she can find and starts making a crazy quilt (and idea she got from one of her mother's white clients.) During this time, she grows closer to Leroy. He makes her cornbread and even takes her to a dance at her school. Before she knows it, Jolene is having fun with Leroy and finally accepts him into her family. On their wedding day, Leroy and Ruby receive the finished quilt from Jolene and the family embraces, finally complete.

I really enjoyed this book! Written from the perspective of a child, I found the observations fitting. Jolene is a little kid, so of course she wouldn't understand segregation. She mentions that she doesn't like that she has to sit on the balcony for movies: "We climbed the stairs to the balcony with the other colored people. As always, the white folks sat downstairs. It didn't seem fair." Another moment like this is when Miz Logan is throwing a party and Jolene questions why her Momma isn't invited. It introduces the issue of segregation in a simple way for children to understand. It is simple enough that any child could look and say "Hey that isn't fair at all."

Jolene was a tough kid to crack. With a stubborn attitude and a gift of speaking her mind, it's a wonder how Leroy was so patient with her. I can understand why she wouldn't want to disrupt her family atmosphere, but I'm glad she put her mother's happiness before her own. Overall, I feel that this book is very relatable. Jolene is so close to her mother that she was scared Leroy would take her place or push her out. But, not all step-parents are evil and Leroy is a kind and loving step-dad. It goes to show that you can't judge a book by its cover. show less

MISTER AND ME is a touching tale of a little girl struggling to accept her Mother's new beau. Set in Louisiana during Segregation, Jolene is a child trying to make sense of the world around her. For example, she doesn't understand why she and her family have to sit upstairs at the show or why she should always have to bite her tongue. Most of all she doesn't understand why Leroy (or Mister as she prefers to call him coldy) has to keep coming around her mother. Jolene wants to be enough for her mom and she isn't interested in sharing any attention. However, in being loving and consistent (and with one grand gesture tailored just for her), Leroy is able to gain her affection. The book does great job of illustrating both the potential show more struggles and beauty of a blended family. Surprisingly, the author is able to accomplish so much and touch on many topics in under 80 pages. show less

Holt uses this book to tell a story of a girl who, although not initially fond of him, grows to love the man her mother is to marry. They introduce us to the characters and begin with indirectly informing the reader of how close this family is. We learn that the main character, Jolene, has lost her dad some time in the past, and misses him very much. She and her mother have a weekly tradition- the picture show. One night while they're there, Jolene gets a bad feeling about her mother's interaction with a man. I immediately felt connected to Jolene because I, too, have been through this. My parents divorced when I was a little bit older than Jolene and when they started to see other people, I was terrified of what that meant for me. I show more was afraid that a new person meant that they would take the place of my other parent, or take up all the attention/time from my parents which would, in turn, leave me forgotten. Jolene goes through a struggle that (sadly) many kids in America go through these days. I watch her and relate to her and she battles internally with watching her mother grow to love someone who isn't her father. The climax occurs when she shreds the gift that Mister has prepared for her mother for when he proposes. I think that Jolene experiences a learning moment here that most kids with divorced parents have gone through at some point. She did it to hurt them, but then once she hurts them, she regrets her decision. Jolene spends hours for days in a row making this blanket out of the scraps of the fine fabric that she ruined and in the end, her mother AND mister are touched by her effort. They come together as a large family at the conclusion of this book and it brings a feeling of familiarity that some children of broken homes can relate to after finally growing to love their new step-parent. show less

This novel was so relatable. I loved the point of view the book was told from. Jolene is this outspoken little girl who says the first thing that comes in her mind. The relationship between the family is precious. my favorite part of this book is when Jolene is standing between the bed and the wall with the fabric and and what else, a pair of scissor. I gasped so hard reading this part and exclaimed, "ohhh nooo Jolene please." I knew the moment she cut the first piece she would regret it. But I liked this part so much because even though as the reader I knew how much pain it would cause to Ruby and Leroy, I still sympathized for Jolene's feelings and emotions. TO have a kid think that they're aren't enough has to be the most show more heartbreaking thing of all time. then I quickly put on my future mother hat an thought about she would have a good ole punishment waiting for her after I found out what she did. The sweetest part was was the tear that Leroy let fall from his eyes when Jolene gifted to the newlyweds of the revamped gift. So many life lessons in this story, it was so touching. show less

Page turner indeed, this book kept me engaged and interested throughout. Best and most relatable book I have read in a very long time. I related to it very much, starting with the Louisiana setting the cooking of red beans and cornbread aroma and taste in particular transformed me into my childhood where my mother cooked me these same dishes. The girls longing to bring her dads photograph everywhere pulled my heartstrings from having a distanced father. I related extensively to Jolene's character, the whistling memory specifically, as well as, the big dipper relation to her dad reminds me of how every plane in the sky reminded me of my dad visiting. The attempt to sabotage the new marriage was also relatable, I remember stories of how I show more threw up in my steps dad's brand new car the first time he met me. Just as Jolene's character develops and opens up to Leroy I opened up to my stepdad and allowed us to be a happy family. The ending of the book with the family gathering in a circle at the wedding transported me back to the day my mom married my stepdad and how the family felt whole again. I think her questioning if she and grandpa were enough for her mom allows readers to understand that she was enough, the mom only deserved more. This book would be great for single family children to read as well. The setting of grey clouds and crisp air in the church setting portrayed the energy surrounding Leroy at the beginning versus the opposing sunshine on the wedding day. The quilt of clothing reminded me of nostalgic photo albums and memories as well. The setting of time was also important, 1940 times where segregation still took place seen in the theater plot and allows readers to grasp the effect it had on children's curiosity, a perspective they may not otherwise think of. The innocent child questions why Miz. Logan would not invite them if "everyone was invited" the mother must explain the social construction of difference in a race. This is also seen through the contrasting lifestyle of sawmill hard workers versus partying tea drinker whites. Overall this book kept me engaged wondering what would occur next. show less

"Mister and Me" is a delightful story that explores the concepts of family through the eyes of a little girl named Jolene. Jolene misses her father who passed away years ago but is perfectly content with Momma and Grandpa being her only family. Jolene also enjoys having Momma and Grandpa's full attention all the time, so needless to say she isn't thrilled when Leroy begins to steal Momma's attention. It is clear Leroy wants to be a part of Jolene's family, but Jolene is going to make it clear to him that she has enough family and there isn't any room for him.

Reading this children's novel, children living with most would call a tradition family will be able to understand that they are different types of families. I think the novel would show more also help children whose father is absent from their life relate to how it feels to see other children with their father. It could also allow children who are having difficulties coping with a change in their family structure. Kimberly Willis Holt, the author, makes it clear through Leroy's character that stepparents are not looking to replace biological parents. A child going through a similar change in family structure would be able to see parallels between their conflict and Jolene's conflict. This may allow them to reach the same conclusion as Jolene did at the end of the story.

The novel is a very localized work and can give a non-New Orleanian a sense of the culture. Being from New Orleans I was happy that the novel reflected parts of the New Orleans culture such as red beans, rice, and cornbread as a meal. The characters are well developed. I even began to root for Leroy and felt the closeness between Momma and Jolene which allowed me to understand Jolene's feelings. Overall, I felt as if the novel was well written using language that would have been common for the setting of the novel. show less