Mother Daughter Book Reviews
is pleased to be coordinating a Blog Tour for the middle grade book, "Between the Lines" by Claudia Whitsitt from May 18 to 31, 2015.
About the Book
Title: Between the Lines
| Author: Claudia Whitsitt |
Publication Date: March, 2015
| Publisher: Independent
| Pages: 318
| Recommended Ages: 9+
Summary:
Between the Lines tells the story of three girls who become friends during the racially-charged aftermath of the 1967 Detroit Riots.
Hattie Percha is crushed when the riots start on her tenth birthday, and when she must move away from her treasured childhood home and friends, attending public school for the first time, she’s afraid her life is over. Then, she meets Beverly Jo Nichols, her first black friend, and Crackers, a fearless tomboy. Despite opposition from Hattie’s mother and a racist teacher, the unlikely friends join forces. As the self-proclaimed Dream Girls, they challenge bigotry and intolerance, willing to do whatever it takes to hold onto what’s most precious to them all, their friendship.
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MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:
I cannot even tell you how much I loved this book. I think I cried like a little girl while reading this book. Prejudice is something I don't think I will ever be able to wrap my head around. Ever. I never want to. I will never understand why people can treat others different, or with disrespect no matter who they are. Everyone in this world is created equal. Regardless of race, religion or color!! I wish I could say I never judge, but that just isn't the case. I dislike all stupid people. Notice that did not have a race, religion, or color attached to it. Nope...just stupid people.
Hattie, Crackers, and Beverly are my heroes. I loved this book. I loved the three little girls. I have a 10 year old son and I can only hope and pray that he stands up for everyone. I hope he is an advocate for all things good in this world.
When Hattie has to move into a new house and a new school district, she is forced to go to public school she doesn't think she will ever be able to make friends again. She is pleasantly surprised. Her first friend is the sweet Beverly. The only black girl in the school. Hattie doesn't see her that way though. Beverly was the first one to be nice to Hattie, and that is what she liked the most about her. Hattie had no idea how hard it would be for her to have a friend that is colored. Crackers comes into play, and she is the wild child of the group. Always stepping out and making scenes. Making people laugh, making teachers crazy :). She cracks me up. The three of them quickly become the three musketeers.
When Hattie invites the girls over to her house for lunch one day, Hattie's world is turned upside down. Hatties mother tells her she cannot be friends with Beverly. She said being friends with her would cause Beverly and her mother problems, along with them. People looked down on others if they accepted black people as equal.
The kids at school were exactly the same. The teacher of their class, and other students are horrible to Beverly. They treat her badly, while Crackers, and Hattie try hard to stand up for her in all cases. When the girls are beat up by some other kids in their class, the Principal and cops step in. They give the three girls a project. They have to write up a project on how to make things better. They do, and it is powerful, and amazing.
Hattie had chosen to write a letter to Martin Luther King Jr. for another project they had in class, that were submitted for an award in the school. Hattie had a hard time dealing with her mother who seemed to have the same prejudices as so many others. Hattie was torn between following her mothers rules, and standing up for what she believed in.
Crackers, Hattie, and Beverly came up with a project that involved the class, and Hattie writes her letter. The experiment is touching. So powerful. Amazing.
Whitsitt's writing is beyond amazing. The story is so beautiful, and touching. This is such a great book for kids to read. I am going to read this one with my children. I hope they get the same message I got from this book. It's powerful. It's just plain amazing. I have read a few books lately that have just been so powerful. This one is no exception.
Children have a wonderful way of teaching us what is important in life. They love more easily. They trust more easily. Children are kind unless they have been taught not to be. They are innocent, and seek the good out of others. This book is a real testament of that.
Pick this book up, I don't think you will regret it. It's so great!
Source: I was given this book as part of a tour. I was not compensated in any way for this book. These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.
MY RATING:
The Buzz
"Between the Lines is a powerful piece of historical fiction that must be added to the reading list of every middle grade student."~ 5 Stars, Lori L., Goodreads
"Teachers and parents need to purchase this novel... Parents could use this novel to engage their kids in discussions to help develop a sense of social responsibility, friendship, and morality... Ultimately, this story is inspirational." ~ 5 Stars, Amazon Customer
"This book is a must read for everyone, no matter what age ... I would recommend it highly to be in the curriculum of every 5th and 6th grade classroom. " ~ 5 Stars, Sandra W., Amazon
"My daughter and I read this book together and loved it. It is a story that will stay with both of us for many years to come!" ~ 5 Stars, aleblanc, Amazon
"Between the Lines tells a really heartbreaking but uplifting story, about race and loyalty and friends, in a way that any kid will relate to. A perfect gift book for that hard-to-please youngster!" ~ 5 Stars, Jimmy, Amazon
About the Author: Claudia Whitsitt
Claudia Whitsitt spent a lifetime teaching special education and writing before becoming a full-time author. She believes in the power of friendship, small acts of kindness, and paying it forward. Nothing makes her happier than spending time with her children, which includes not only the five she raised but the countless students who touched her life over the years.
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
"Between the Lines" Blog Tour Schedule (2015)
May 18
May 19
May 20
May 21
May 22
May 23
May 24
May 25
May 26
May 27
May 28
May 29
May 30
May 31
* Blog Tour Giveaway *
Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice
Contest closes: June 7, 11:59 pm, 2015
Open to: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by Claudia Whitsitt and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This truly sounds amazing Becca and I absolutely love reads like this one! I'm off to mark this one to read!!
ReplyDeleteYAY...It was amazing! I loved this so much. It is such a sweet sweet read.
DeleteBravo!!! I loved your review. Thank you so much for taking part in the "Between the Lines" Blog Tour. I'm so glad you agree about how amazing this book is. My daughter read it before me and she and I can't stop talking about it. This is one I want to scream from the rooftops about! :-D
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. I want everyone to read it! It's such an amazing book with such a great message.
DeleteThank you so much for the fabulous review! I'm always thrilled and humbled to hear a reader loved it as much as I hoped they would.
ReplyDeleteI am so honored you stopped by. I LOVED this book! I just love the message this book has. I am so happy I got to be part of the tour :)
DeleteSounds like this book really struck you. I'll have to check it out!!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
It did Nicole. I just cannot wrap my head around racism. I love how this story is told. I love how innocent children are, and this is the most wonderful story about how children can see beyond all of that and just see what they love in each other.
DeleteThis one sounds really, really good. I'm going to go add it to my tbr. Think of that - you added a book to my list. ;)
ReplyDelete