The Eyes of Willie McGee

The Eyes of Willie McGee

by Alex Heard

416 pages

*** About the Book ***

Mississippi, 1945: Willamette Hawkins, a white woman, accuses Willie McGee, a black man, of breaking into her home and raping her. The public is enraged and demands the death penalty for McGee. McGee, traumatized by his treatment in jail, doesn’t speak a word at his first trial. During the course of the next 10 years, the case is appealed again and again. Eventually McGee tells his lawyers that he and Hawkins had a long-term affair and that when he tried to end it, she accused him of rape. Hawkins denies this and sues the newspaper for slander for reporting it.  In the end, nothing can stop the courts from sending McGee to the electric chair. But the story doesn’t end there.

Fifty years later the legacy of McGee’s trial continues to impact the next generation. Hawkins’s daughters stand by their mother’s claim of rape and seek to re-establish her reputation as an honorable woman. McGee’s children and grandchildren remain furious at the courts and the government for their treatment of McGee and for supporting a woman who claimed to be his wife but actually was not.

This is a true story.


*** Why I Read It ***

I’ve wanted to read TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD for quite some time and this book was described as being similar in content. Plus it was a true story – bonus! Thanks to Regal Literary for sending me a copy.


*** My Thoughts ***

This book is fascinating. It examines the racial politics of the pre-civil rights era American South and the anti-communist craze of the early Cold War era and shows how these forces came together to deprive Willie McGee of a fair trial. The author doesn’t try to prove whether McGee is guilty or not; too much time has passed and there are too many conflicting stories. Rather he details the political and social forces that led the trial to turn out the way it did.

The parts of the story that were most interesting to me were those involving the legacy of the case. The author tracked down the children and grandchildren of McGee and Hawkins and showed how the trial continues to impact the present generation. The families’ differing reactions to the facts he uncovers and to the trial in general really made me think.

I started reading this book on the train to BEA at the end of May and I just finished it during my vacation at the end of June. Reading non-fiction takes more concentration for me than does reading fiction, so there were several times when I had to put the book aside for a few days. Every time I picked it back up I was excited to get back into the story though. It is not particularly long but it is very detailed and I really enjoyed learning about this time and place.


*** Your Thoughts ***

I haven’t seen any other reviews of this book yet – did I miss yours? Let me know and I’ll add it here
.
Does this book sound like one you’d enjoy? If you’ve read TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, do you see any similarities between the two books?

Mom & Son Book Club #17: Misty of Chincoteague

Misty of Chincoteague

by Marguerite Henry

audiobook: 3.25 hours

*** About the Book ***

Siblings Paul and Maureen live on Chincoteague Island with their grandparents.  This year Paul is finally old enough to join the men on their annual round-up of the wild ponies on neighboring Assateague Island.  Paul get amazingly lucky and captures the mysterious Phantom, a mare who has evaded the round-up for several years in a row, and her new foal, Misty.  Paul and Maureen have saved money for months to be able to purchase a pony on Pony Penning Day and now they want to buy both Phantom and Misty.  Will they be able to come up with the money in time?  If they do, can they ever hope to tame Phantom?  And what about little Misty? 


*** Why We Listened To It ***

This is a classic of childrens literature and holds a special place in my reading memory.  Chincoteague is just a few hours from where I've lived all my life, and I visited there for the Pony Penning Day Carnival once as a child. 

With a 7 hour drive coming up, I raided the library for audiobooks that Kiddo might enjoy.  I checked out about 10 books and let him pick from that stack.  Surprisingly he chose MISTY as one of his top picks.  He's not a big fan of horses but I think the fact that this takes place near where we live is what interested him.  I honestly expected him to avoid this one like the plague, so I was thrilled when he seemed excited to listen to it.


*** Our Thoughts ***

I loved revisiting this book, but it was shorter and simpler than I remembered.  Unfortunately the cassettes were really in bad shape so the last part of the book was hard to hear, but that was my only complaint.  Kiddo listened to this in utter silence for several hours so I know he enjoyed it.  Here's his review, in his own words ...

1. Did you like this book? Yes, it was fun.

2. What was your favorite part? I didn't have a favorite part - I liked the whole thing.


3. What was your least favorite part? None, I didn't have a least favorite part.

4. Since this was an audiobook the only illustration was on the cover.  What did you think of the cover? I thought it was cool. I liked the cover because it had Misty and Phantom on it. [Mom's note: The audiobook cover was different than the one pictured above, but I couldn't find an image that matched what we had.]

 5. Would you recommend this book to your friends? No because kids that I know don't like horses or ponies.  Do you like horses? Just the male horses. Like the Pied Piper? Yes. Why? Because they run the her. Is there anything else you'd like to say about this book?  I liked listening to it in the car.


*** Your Thoughts ***

Did you read this book as a child (or an adult)? Which of your childhood favorites have you shared with your own children?  What were there reactions to your old favorites?


This review is part of Kids' Picks, hosted by 5 Minutes for Books.  Check out what other kids are reading today!

Unsigned Hype

Unsigned Hype

by Booker T. Mattison

207 pages

*** About the Book ***


Fifteen-year-old musician Tory and lives in a somewhat rough neighborhood in New York with his widowed mother and two older brothers.  He's classically trained on piano but all he wants to do is create hip hop music.  His dream becomes a reality when his music is featured on a nationally syndicated radio program and Tory is propelled into stardom.  But all that glitters is not gold, and Tory quickly realizes that many of the new people in his life are into a pretty bad scene.  Meanwhile his mother is forcing him to meet once a week for "lessons" with an old friend of his father's, Mr. Lord, in the hopes that she can keep her son out of trouble.  These lessons aren't completely bad though, as they let Tory get closer to Mr. Lord's daughter Precious, the girl he's decided will be his future wife (she just doesn't know it yet).



*** Why I Read It ***

This is not a book that I'd normally be drawn to so when it was pitched to me I immediately planned to turn it down.  But since I really enjoy book trailers I decided to watch this one before making a decision.  Once I saw the trailer I realized that I wanted to give the book a shot so I agreed to review it.



Learn more about the book and the author at Booker T. Mattison's website.

*** My Thoughts ***

This book was way outside of my comfort zone: it's YA, it's about hip hop music, it has an urban setting, and it's written using lots of slang terms.  Yet in spite of all that, once I got into the book I really enjoyed most of it.

Tory seemed very real to me, and the other main characters in the book did as well.  The reactions of his family and friends to his success were just what I'd expect (as an adult) but of course not always what Tory expected.  His experiences and his decisions were completely understandable and I enjoyed reading along to find out what was going to happen next.

What I didn't realize when I picked up that book is that it is written from a Christian worldview.  As a Christian, I appreciate the direction the book goes in, especially since I didn't see it coming.  That said, once I got the drift, I quickly got bored with that part of the story since it seemed predictable to me.  I don't think that non-Christian teen readers would have the same experience that I did though, and Mattison clearly had that audience in mind when he was writing. 

For the most part I enjoyed the book but felt that I wasn't exactly the intended audience. 


*** Your Thoughts ***

I haven't seen any other reviews of this book in the blogosphere - did I miss yours?

A Few Vacation Pics ...

My summer has been crazy busy so far.  Here's a quick photographic overview of my family's trip to California, where we visited from June 25 - July 10 ...

Meeting Wendy from Literary Feline (left) and her husband, and Amy from My Friend Amy

 (right) We had a great lunch and a fabulous chat, despite the World Cup cheering section just behind Wendy ...

Hubby, me, and Kiddo at the aquarium at Legoland

Kiddo pointing out the sights during our audio tour of the aircraft carrier USS Midway in San Diego Bay

lunch in Seaport Village, San Diego - yes, this is what I get from them every day ...

Kiddo chillin' by the pool in my sunglasses

margaritas and Mexican-style shrimp cocktail, courtesy of my wonderful husband

hubby and his aunt, who always lets us stay with her when we visit (We love you Aunt Donna!)

me and gap-toothed Kiddo having a blast at Disneyland

learning to draw Goofy and Chip at the Animation Studio

Kiddo took on all the biggest rides this year - he laughed through Tower of Terror while I screamed and even went on California Screamin, a roller coaster that goes upside down - he's my little adrenaline junkie

I don't think Kiddo was meant to be the king ...

we thoroughly enjoyed the new World of Color show - and that roller coaster? That's the one Kiddo went on earlier in the day ...

Mickey Mouse in his Steamboat Willie costume and Kiddo in his Jack Skellington Mickey ears

our final afternoon in Old Town Temecula

We had a wonderful time! I'm missing that fabulous weather now that I'm back in the heat and humidity of the East Coast.  Can't wait to go back again!

Next week I'm hoping to do a post about Kiddo's amazing experience at Victory Junction Camp in North Carolina, and maybe some of the hilarious videos of his Michael Jackson impersonations that he regaled us with in California ...

"The Color Purple" Read-a-long: Discussion Questions

Welcome to the discussion portion of THE COLOR PURPLE read-a-long. Feel free to participate or not, whatever you prefer.

If you’d like to join in the discussion, choose a few questions that interest you and answer them in a post on your blog or in the comment section. If you post on your blog, be sure to leave a link in the comments so we can check out your responses. (You may want to subscribe to the comments so you can keep up with the discussion.)

Do you have a question you’d like to ask the group? Post it in the comments and I’ll add it to the top of the list.

As a reminder, Nicole will recap the read-a-long at the end of the month and you’ll be invited to link to your review of the book then.

YOUR QUESTIONS

• Submit them in the comments and I’ll add them here.

MY QUESTIONS

• What was your perception of this book coming into thee read-a-long? Had you read it before? Seen the movie? Always meant to read/watch it? Did your initial perception influence your read-a-long experience?
• For new readers: Was the book what you expected it to be? What DID you expect?
• For rereaders: Did your opinion on the book change after reading it again? In what way?
• How do you feel in general about epistolary novels (books told through letters)? Did this format influence your enjoyment of this book in any way? Do you think the story would have had the same impact if it were not told solely through letters? What other epistolary novels have you read? Did they work for you or did the format detract from the book?
• Do Celie’s letters to God and her letters to Nettie have a different feel to them or do they seem the same? What do you think of Celie’s habit of ending her letters to Nettie with “Amen”?
• Why do you think Celie’s husband hid Nettie’s letters rather than destroying them? Does this choice say anything about who he is as a person?
• Are there any parts of the book that moved you? Which ones stand out in your mind? Why?
• Are there any parts of the book that haunt you? Which parts? Why?
• What is the significance of the title? Why do you think the author chose to use that title? What is so special about the color purple?
• Is the story believable to you? Why or why not? Does believability matter to you in a “real-life” type book?

ABOUT THE MOVIE (for those who have seen it)

• How does the book compare to the movie? Was the movie a good adaptation? Did the parts that were left out make a big difference or was the movie a success without them?
• Did the actors fit the images you had of them from the book? If you watched the movie before reading the book, did the actors match the descriptions given by the author?

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLISHER, found at Reading Group Choices and LitLovers

• In Celie’s first letter to God, she asks for a sign to let her know what is happening to her. Discuss the way confusion and deception become powerful tools for those characters who want to take advantage of Celie. Unravel the layers of lies that are told to her throughout the novel, perhaps making lists that compare the fiction she is expected to believe with the truth about her world. These can be concrete (Celie’s impression that Pa is too poor to provide properly for her, and the later realization that he had more resources than he ever lets on) or abstract (the assertion that Celie is unintelligent, though she demonstrates constant intelligence in planning for her safety and that of her sister). […] When in [your] life has the truth set [you] free?
• What is the effect of not knowing Albert’s last name? In early novels, it was not uncommon for authors to use a blank in place of a character’s name, to create the illusion that the character was someone the reader might know—someone whose identity had to be kept secret. What does it mean that Celie must call her husband Mr. ____? When does she at last begin calling him by his first name?
• Why does Albert tell Harpo to begin beating his wife, Sofia? Why is it so important to Harpo that his wife have no will of her own? Is his relationship with Squeak (Mary Agnes) fulfilling? What do these scenes tell us about the nature of abusive cycles? Is cruelty something that is taught—something that is unnatural? In your opinion, what does it take for someone (male or female) to deserve true respect?
• Just as Celie grew up being told she was inferior, Shug Avery was always told she was evil. What are your impressions of Shug, from the photo Celie sees early on, to the end of the novel, when Celie and Albert have united in their devotion to Shug? What does Shug teach Celie about being loved, and about finding one’s true self? What price does Sofia pay for being her true self?
• What does it take for Celie to finally reach her boiling point and reject oppression?
• What is Celie’s opinion of Grady and his haze of addiction?
• Why is it difficult for Shug to commit to the people who love her? In what ways does Shug bring both pleasure and heartache to them?
• Nettie’s life with Corrine and Samuel gives her the first semblance of a healthy family life she has ever known, but Corrine’s jealousy taints this. Only the memory of that crucial early scene, when Celie lays eyes on her daughter at the store, absolves Nettie just before Corrine dies. The Color Purple brims with these intricate turns of plot. List the seemingly minor scenes that turn out to be pivotal in the lives of the characters.

Little Brother

Another quick review as I slowly get caught up ...

Little Brother

by Cory Doctorow 
416 pages (paperback edition)

ebook edition read on my phone

When I got my new Droid phone in May I immediately realized that I could read books on it - woohoo!  The first thing I downloaded was this book and once I started reading I realized that with all the technology in there, it was the perfect book to read on an eReader.

High school student Marcus is out with his buddies when the world goes crazy.  A terrorist group bombs the Bay Bridge in San Fransisco and homeland-security-types immediately begin arresting people left and right.  Marcus and his pals feel that the security forces are quickly becoming worse than the terrorists with all the insane controls they put on the city so they decide to (clandestinely) fight back using all the technological savvy they have at their disposal.

I LOVED the first half of this book and recommend it to several friends.  But then I got to the middle and I felt like Doctorow went off on too much of a political rant.  The end was a bit better, but not nearly as good as the beginning.  I did enjoy reading it but it could have been much, much better in my opinion.

The Wind in the Willows

I'm back from vacation and am trying to get caught up on the books I read and listened to before I left and during the trip. Here's my review of the book I listened to on the coast to coast plane ride ...

The Wind in the Willows

by Kenneth Grahame

first published in 1908
narrated by Mary Woods

audiobook: 5.25 hours

Part of our California vacation included a trip to Disneyland where you can experience Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, an attraction based on this book. Although I was somewhat familiar with this story I don't think I'd actually read it before, so when Kiddo wanted to know about the ride I knew I'd have to check out the book and get the whole story.

This book tells the story of the critters who live on the edge of the river, including Mole, Badger, Ratty, and the infamous Toad.  Most of their adventures are of the quiet sort - picnics on the river, walks in the woods, visiting neighbors - except when Toad is involved; then things get wild and crazy.

After I listened to the story I retold it to Kiddo one afternoon before heading to Disneyland.  He really enjoyed it and it definitely made the ride more fun for him once we got there.  Plus we were able to get the Disney movie version of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and watch that while we in our hotel, so that was an added bonus!

As for me, I can't say that I particularly enjoyed this book though I am glad that I listened to it.  It was alright, some parts were entertaining, but on the whole I didn't particularly enjoy it.  It seems like sacrilege to say that since this book is a classic of childrens literature, but I really don't get the appeal.  What am I missing here?

Announcing the "Children of God" Read-a-long

Have you read THE SPARROW, by Mary Doria Russell?  If not you are missing out on a fabulous book, one of those books that really makes you think about the "big questions" in life.  A few months ago I co-hosted a read-a-long of that book in the hopes that I could introduce it to more readers.  It was a great success, and now I want to read the follow-up book with you as well.

CHILDREN OF GOD continues the story that began in THE SPARROW.  For me, it is an even better book than the first one, but not everyone agrees.  Are you ready to give it a try?  Plan to read along with me in August and see where you stand.

Details and the sign-up post will come at the start of August - look for a copy of the book now and be ready to join in!

I'm back ...

I know you've missed me, right?! I've been out of town for the past few weeks and am finally back home again.  I've got lots of books to review and some fun stuff to share about my vacation but it will probably take a few days before I am back into the swing of things at home.  I've been keeping up on all your blog posts through my phone but it was difficult to comment so I've been rather lax about that.

Just a reminder that I'm co-hosting a read-a-long of THE COLOR PURPLE by Alice Walker this month.  I read the book over three days, finishing it today on the plane home.  It was fantastic and I can't wait to talk about it with all the read-a-long participants.  There's still plenty of time to join so pick up a copy and start reading.

I'm hoping to get some short reviews up within the next few days ... we'll see how well that plan works out!

The Color Purple (summer read-a-long)

Hello and welcome to a read-a-long of THE COLOR PURPLE, by Alice Walker, hosted by myself and Nicole at Linus's Blanket.  The rules for the read-a-long are simple: comment on this post letting us know you're joingin us, read the book this month, post a review, and add your link to Nicole's recap at the end of the month.  To make things a bit more interesting I'll post discussion questions in the middle of the month.  You can answer them on your own blog, you can answer them in the comment section, or you can ignore them completely - it's up to you.


This is really one of the simplest read-a-longs ever - are you in?
 

PS. Get bonus points from me if you watch the movie and review it as well!