The Friendship

Brutal story illustrating the realities of Mississippi under Jim Crow. I loved Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry as a child, and read a few of the sequels as well -- Cassie and her family are wonderful characters. This little book is confusing, because it looks like a short story for beginning readers, but I think kids will miss a lot of the context presented in the longer books. Desperately sad and defiant.

Having never read any of Mildred Taylor’s work, (I am embarrassed to say), I was AMAZED by the depth of social and cultural issues she was able to convey in 53 pages! The story takes place during one short afternoon. What can happen in one short afternoon? I was very skeptical, and assumed I would use this book in middle elementary classrooms, and it would be a very basic look at African-American life. I could not have more wrong! This book portrays a struggle between African-Americans and whites for the respect they both think they are entitled to and the lengths they will go to get it. It also demonstrates the pride both men feel for their race. This series of unfortunate events is a mirror image of hundreds of encounters between show more blacks and whites as they struggle throughout history.
Library Implications: This book is a great example of historical fiction for middle elementary school children; however its applications reach far beyond a good story. This book would be an excellent way to bring social studies, literature circles and the librarian all together. Because of its combination of short length and depth of information, older students can spend a small amount of time reading and still get a wealth of information that can be used for discussion groups and literature circles. This book also focuses on social interaction and the role segregation plays in the lives of African-Americans. This could launch a discussion on the question of segregation and if it still exists today, and if African-Americans are the only group to experience this type of degradation. show less

I read this book as a child and was just as disturbed then as I am now. The subject matter is one that, while thankfully lessened, still persists to this day. We get just the tiniest of glimpses into the past here. I knocked off a star simply because it was way too short. I would have loved to see what happens next.

This book begins in a old country store where girl names Cassie and her brother are sent to get some medicine for a neighbor. The store owners give the kids a hard time and even insults her little brother. On their way out they run into Mr. Bee a friend of theirs and he tells them to wait while he runs in and get a couple items so he can join them on their walk back. Mr. Bee addresses Mr. Wallace the store owner by his Christian name John, which is not acceptable from African Americans at the time. Mr. Wallace’s sons who work there verbally state their opinion on the matter but Mr. Wallace serves Mr. Bee and tells him to get on his way. Mr. Bee and Mr. Wallace had an agreement a long time ago when Mr. Wallace was little and Mr. Bee show more saved his life, Twice. Mr. Wallace told Mr. Bee he could always call him John, but now that time passed things changed. Mr. Wallace and the kids return to the store later to get a couple more things and things then get violent. Not to ruin the book, this book just shows that judgment plays a strong role on individuals. Even though Mr. Bee saved Mr. Wallace’s life, Mr. Wallace doesn’t want people to know that he respects a man of a different race and instead betrays Mr. Bee.

This book touches so many topics on race and friendship. I liked the book’s message and the pencil illustrations were great. This book puts you in a place in time when these events actually did happen in real life. I enjoy Mildred Taylor’s book, they are great.

In the classroom students could discuss what the message of the book. This could also be great beginner on studying the author Mildred Taylor and following with some of her other books. show less

This is a short work that could easily be a missing scene from "Roll Of Thunder, Hear My Cry," although the events in it are so heartstopping that it can be tough to believe that Cassie Logan wouldn't have referenced them when similar events came up in that book (or its sequel, "Let The Circle Be Unbroken". Mildred Taylor is not one to pull punches, and I have no trouble believing that something very much like this story happened more than once in the 1930s South.

An epic story that tests the bonds of friendship in a time of great divide in American history. The story takes places in a small town in Missisppipi in 1933. Four black children are sent to a local store owned by a white family. The children have been sheltered much of their lives and during this trip experience a lesson in race relations of the time period and witness a true test of friendship. The dialogue, events, and characters are incredibly relaisitc and clearly provide children with a snap shot into his time period.
The book is fairly short and the plot is relatively easy to follow. The use of time period language and local dialect may present challenges for some readers. There are underlyiing themes that could also challenge show more students ready for more rigor. It is a great book to introduce a unit on racisim or perhaps ōcharacter motive.
There are some very powerful metaphors and symbolism.
A great read for upper elementary or middle school aged students. show less

An epic story that tests the bonds of friendship in a time of great divide in American history. The story takes places in a small town in Missisppipi in 1933. Four black children are sent to a local store owned by a white family. The children have been sheltered much of their lives and during this trip experience a lesson in race relations of the time period and witness a true test of friendship. The dialogue, events, and characters are incredibly relaisitc and clearly provide children with a snap shot into his time period.
The book is fairly short and the plot is relatively easy to follow. The use of time period language and local dialect may present challenges for some readers. There are underlyiing themes that could also challenge show more students ready for more rigor. It is a great book to introduce a unit on racisim or perhaps ōcharacter motive.
There are some very powerful metaphors and symbolism.
A great read for upper elementary or middle school aged students. ( show less