Status
Check shelf
Call number
Publication
Bantam (1983), Mass Market Paperback
Description
A young black girl struggles to fulfill her papa's dream of a better future for their family in the southwestern town where, in 1910, they are the only blacks.
Local notes
0812-03
User reviews
LibraryThing member stephanie123
Words by Heart is about a girl named Lena. She still lives in the time were there is racism. Lena is trying to win a bible quoting contest to make her papa proud of her. After she wins no one really likes he because of the color of her skin. She moves into a neighborhood and her family is the only
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african american there. Now she needs to forgive the people that hurt her. Show Less
LibraryThing member cataylor
Though it is 1912, Lena has been raised in a sheltered environment without knowledge of racial hatred. Now Lena's family has moved to Texas where slavery was never an issue and Lena goes to school with the local children, but when she wins a contest quoting the most Bible verses she realizes the
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jealousies that begin to show in the community can be tinged with real fear. Her father's work ethic shows up a local white share cropper and Lena's innocence is destroyed, but her father's ability to forgive and see the good in people even as they do you harm is her biggest life lesson. Show Less
Awards
National Book Award (Finalist — 1980)
Texas Bluebonnet Award (Nominee — 1982)
Sequoyah Book Award (Nominee — Children's — 1982)
William Allen White Children's Book Award (Nominee — 1981-1982)
Mark Twain Readers Award (Nominee — 1982)
Maud Hart Lovelace Award (Nominee — 1986)
Gouden Griffel (Vlag en Wimpel — 1985)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 1979)
Read Aloud Indiana Book Award (Middle School — 1991)
Language
Original publication date
1968-12 Short Story
1979 Novel
Physical description
6.7 inches
ISBN
0553259008 / 9780553259001