Status
Available
Local notes
Fic Bon
Collections
Series
Genres
Publication
Candlewick (2010), Edition: First Edition, 192 pages
Description
A fictionalized account of Zora Neale Hurston's childhood with her best friend Carrie, in Eatonville, Florida, as they learn about life, death, and the differences between truth, lies, and pretending. Includes an annotated bibliography of the works of Zora Neale Hurston, a short biography of the author, and information about Eatonville, Florida.
Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — Teens — 2011)
Edgar Award (Nominee — Juvenile — 2011)
William Allen White Children's Book Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2012-2013)
Coretta Scott King Award (Winner — 2011)
CCBC Choices (2011)
The Best Children's Books of the Year (Nine to Twelve — 2011)
Great Reads from Great Places (Florida — 2020)
Original language
English
Original publication date
2011
Physical description
192 p.; 6.5 inches
User reviews
LibraryThing member CurrerBell
The moment I finished reading this novel I immediately logged onto my LT account and gave it five stars. A couple days later I decided to reduce it to two-and-a-half but then reconsidered and gave it three. Why do I have these mixed reactions about ZORA AND ME?
It's a charming story, and anyone who
Then I started thinking about its target audience, elementary and middle-school age. Even advanced readers at that age are not likely to know Zora Neale Hurston, nor are very many of them likely to go on to read her until they are a few years older. So now I assess ZORA AND ME based simply upon the story itself, as it will be read by the target audience who have no idea of who Zora Neale Hurston was.
Something about this novel's conclusion gives me a real feeling of discomfort. The novel climaxes with Zora serving in an intermediary role between a good White man and a good Black man, these two men then acting separately but equally to resolve the conflict in their communities. Yes, that's exactly what I mean, SEPARATELY BUT EQUALLY, and it's a solution that is presented as commendable.
For Hurston herself, growing up in Eatonville, Florida, was probably the best thing that could have happened to her in the Jim Crow era, and "separate but equal" may have worked benefits in her own individual case and in the case of Black-controlled Eatonville as a whole, at least in contrast with the severities of Jim Crow rule. Still, I doubt that very many adults will want to present "separate but equal" as a positive good, and I have the uncomfortable feeling that the conclusion of ZORA AND ME does precisely that. It may also be a biographically apt depiction of Hurston herself, considering her own conservative (or perhaps more precisely, libertarian) politics, but this is still a conclusion that many adults might have reservations about in presenting as an affirmative good to young readers, at least where the issue of "separate but equal" is concerned.
All in all, ZORA AND ME is a charming story, but it's one that an adult should read carefully before encouraging a child to read it, and the adult should be available to the child for any questions the child might have. The "separate but equal" conclusion makes me uncomfortable with this as a children's book.
It's a charming story, and anyone who
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loves Hurston will definitely be drawn to ZORA AND ME. For myself personally, I respect Hurston but my real love is for Nella Larsen, so while I found ZORA AND ME a charming book, it's not something I absolutely adored. Nevertheless, based on charm, I initially gave it five stars.Then I started thinking about its target audience, elementary and middle-school age. Even advanced readers at that age are not likely to know Zora Neale Hurston, nor are very many of them likely to go on to read her until they are a few years older. So now I assess ZORA AND ME based simply upon the story itself, as it will be read by the target audience who have no idea of who Zora Neale Hurston was.
Something about this novel's conclusion gives me a real feeling of discomfort. The novel climaxes with Zora serving in an intermediary role between a good White man and a good Black man, these two men then acting separately but equally to resolve the conflict in their communities. Yes, that's exactly what I mean, SEPARATELY BUT EQUALLY, and it's a solution that is presented as commendable.
For Hurston herself, growing up in Eatonville, Florida, was probably the best thing that could have happened to her in the Jim Crow era, and "separate but equal" may have worked benefits in her own individual case and in the case of Black-controlled Eatonville as a whole, at least in contrast with the severities of Jim Crow rule. Still, I doubt that very many adults will want to present "separate but equal" as a positive good, and I have the uncomfortable feeling that the conclusion of ZORA AND ME does precisely that. It may also be a biographically apt depiction of Hurston herself, considering her own conservative (or perhaps more precisely, libertarian) politics, but this is still a conclusion that many adults might have reservations about in presenting as an affirmative good to young readers, at least where the issue of "separate but equal" is concerned.
All in all, ZORA AND ME is a charming story, but it's one that an adult should read carefully before encouraging a child to read it, and the adult should be available to the child for any questions the child might have. The "separate but equal" conclusion makes me uncomfortable with this as a children's book.
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LibraryThing member goddesspt2
Last year, I read a great biography about Zora Neale Hurston by Valerie Boyd, so I was looking forward to reading this young adult novel with Zora as a young child. Fourth graders, Zora and her best friends, Carrie and Teddy, search for the truth when a turpentine worker’s body is found dead and
I can see why this book was endorsed by the Zora Neale Hurston Trust (the only project to be given such an honor, not by Hurston herself). Bond and Simon uncannily capture the spirit of Hurston through the young Zora. Zora displays a knack for tall tales, as she convinces the other schoolchildren there’s a gator-man (half-man, half-gator) in their community. If you have read Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, then you will recognize Joe Clarke’s store with the men whiling away the day on the front porch. I love how the authors pay attention to the smallest details, for example, that there were only 45 states at the time.
The authors brillantly capture Hurston’s traveling spirit and natural curiosity in little Zora. This magical story is a must read for Hurston fans.
Zora and Me has been nominated for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award and won the 2011 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award.
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beheaded on the railroad tracks. The book is told from Carrie’s point of view; hence, the “Me” in the title. The action takes place in Zora Neale Hurston’s hometown of Eatonville, Florida.I can see why this book was endorsed by the Zora Neale Hurston Trust (the only project to be given such an honor, not by Hurston herself). Bond and Simon uncannily capture the spirit of Hurston through the young Zora. Zora displays a knack for tall tales, as she convinces the other schoolchildren there’s a gator-man (half-man, half-gator) in their community. If you have read Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, then you will recognize Joe Clarke’s store with the men whiling away the day on the front porch. I love how the authors pay attention to the smallest details, for example, that there were only 45 states at the time.
The authors brillantly capture Hurston’s traveling spirit and natural curiosity in little Zora. This magical story is a must read for Hurston fans.
Zora and Me has been nominated for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award and won the 2011 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award.
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LibraryThing member blancaflor
A potential weakness of the protagonist here is that most young readers may not be familiar with such great literary giants like Zora. So if this book is to be successful with young readers it will not be because they have read her novels or even her fables and folk tales.
However the book will
However the book will
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probably be very successful with teachers and librarians and other adults that love children's literature and Zora Neale Hurston. It seems like another one of those books that we lovingly share with young readers, especially girls, and everyone enjoys it, even if it wasn't something the child would have chosen to read without the guidance of a well meaning adult. Other books like this include, Julie of the Wolves, Number the Stars, and Because of Winn-Dixie. Show Less
LibraryThing member ECHSLibrary
This book is set in the old south. I lived near Eatonville, so I was excited to read this book. This is an excellent story with action and suspense. It is authentic historical fiction, therefore the "N" word is used. Shocking to the senses.
LibraryThing member bhellmay
The book is about Zora and her friends Teddy and Carrie, exploring the murder of Ivory and trying to prove that it was done by Mr. Pendir who is able to turn himself into a gator. The story is written in a wonderful way, interesting and exciting. I could not stop reading that book, because I wanted
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to find out who had killed Ivory. Through the first-person narration, the reader gets to know about the feelings of at least one person. It shows the differences of being black or white and that you had to decide to which racial group you belong to. But there are also friendships among whites and black. The book tells in parts the character of famous author Zora Neale Hurston, who was not born in Eatonville, but moved there at an early age. There are many character straits that are the same. I can just recommend that book. Regarding the book from a teacher`s viewpoint, I would not read that book in class (with English learners), because it would be to difficult to understand the language, even though in High School. Show Less
LibraryThing member VikkiLaw
Warning to parents of preteens: The book's ending does get into some of the issues around race, segregation and the taboo against Black men talking to White women. After reading it, my 10-year-old daughter asked if I had read it and said that there were some parts that made no sense to her. I
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finally picked it up and read it last night and now understand why the denouement would be confusing to most 21st century tweens. Show Less
LibraryThing member Sullywriter
Engaging and interesting historical novel that speculates on the childhood of Zora Neale Hurston.
LibraryThing member scote23
I have no idea who the audience is for this book, but there are passages I could definitely savor over and over.
LibraryThing member bookczuk
Another audio-read courtesy of World Book Night and audiobooks.com. My only familiarity with Zora Neale Hurston prior to this was via Their Eyes Were Watching God. However, I am a lover of Southern literature, Southern writers, tall tales, and the art of story telling. This book was a wonderful
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interlude on a recent car journey, which brought the town of Eatonville, Florida, and the inhabitants there, clearly alive in my mind. Show Less
LibraryThing member rgruberexcel
RGG: Channels the style and tone of Zora Neale Hurston herself, but makes for a very difficult middle-grade read. Reading Interest: 12
LibraryThing member Whisper1
Yet another Young Adult book dealing with a powerful subject. This is a fictionalized story based on the real life author Zora Neale Hurston, and her friend Carrie. Told from the perspective of Carrie, we see two highly intelligent girls trying to make sense of a murder. As they put the pieces
Carrie loves Zora, and also notes that her friend loves to tell stories, and embellishment is simply part of her make up. In real life, Zora is the author of the book Their Eyes Were Watching God.
Living in Eatonville, Florida, the first incorporated all-black township in the United States, sets the tone of a community where everyone knows one another.
Thus, when a stranger appears, Zora and Carrie are very fascinated with him. Soon thereafter, he is found dead by the railroad tracks.
The young girls all-too soon learn that race relations, particularly in the south, are fraught with spoken, and nebulous rules wherein there is a very high price to pay if a black man breaks social norms when mingling with a white woman.
I very much liked the way in which the author slowly built to the conclusion and, through excellent writing, told the dramatic ending in a way in which the reader was not bombarded, but rather came to learn the ugly workings of racism.
Highly recommended.
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together of the tragic killing of a black man who was beheaded by the railroad tracts, they learn that life is not as idyllic as they perceived.Carrie loves Zora, and also notes that her friend loves to tell stories, and embellishment is simply part of her make up. In real life, Zora is the author of the book Their Eyes Were Watching God.
Living in Eatonville, Florida, the first incorporated all-black township in the United States, sets the tone of a community where everyone knows one another.
Thus, when a stranger appears, Zora and Carrie are very fascinated with him. Soon thereafter, he is found dead by the railroad tracks.
The young girls all-too soon learn that race relations, particularly in the south, are fraught with spoken, and nebulous rules wherein there is a very high price to pay if a black man breaks social norms when mingling with a white woman.
I very much liked the way in which the author slowly built to the conclusion and, through excellent writing, told the dramatic ending in a way in which the reader was not bombarded, but rather came to learn the ugly workings of racism.
Highly recommended.
Show Less
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Pages
192