A Summer of Kings

Book Description

It's 1963 and fourteen-year-old Esther Young is looking for excitement. Cursed with a lack of talent in a family filled with artistic types, Esther vows to get some attention by initiating a summer romance with a black teen accused of murdering a white man in Alabama.

King-Roy Johnson shows up on Esther's doorstep that summer, an angry young man who feels betrayed by the nonviolent teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. Sent north by his mother to escape a lynch mob, he meets a follower of Malcolm X's who uses radical teachings about black revolution to fuel King-Roy's anger and frustration. But with each other's help, both Esther and King-Roy learn the true nature of integrity and find the power to stand up for what is right and true.

National Book Award-winning author Han Nolan brings readers a bold new voice--by turns funny and poignant, innocent and worldly--in this powerful coming-of-age story set during the turbulent struggle for civil rights.

Customer Reviews:

Summer of Kings.......2007-08-14

A Summer of Kings, is a realistic fiction book it contains adventure. The book is written by Han Nolan, takes place in the 1960s during a time when the world was facing racial tensions between African Americans and Anglos. This book is realistic, historical and emotional. It disputes both sides of racism, the violence of the white man against the black man and the anger of the black man towards the white man.

In the book, one of the main characters, King-Roy Johnson, is accused of murdering an Anglo man. Esther, the 14 year old Anglo girl, has very strong emotions about wanting to become something new, something better. She is very frustrated with herself because her family makes statements to her about her being stupid because she failed the 3rd grade. This is obvious when she is told that she should be a gym teacher since it does not require intelligence. She believes that by falling in love with King-Roy, this will begin the process of becoming something new.

King-Roy begins to believe the teachings and philosophies of Malcolm X, who promotes the use of violence to resolve racial issues, after meeting Ax (who doesn't like the "white-devils" which are Anglos) on the bus to live at the Young's House. Esther learns the peaceful ways of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ghandi principles.

Esther and King-Roy produced issues between them. Esther is approaching the issues as not keeping promises and honesty. Esther's first matter is promises because King-Roy said that he would meet her, Sophie, and Stewart at the bus station, but in spite of his honesty they went to Harlem to get him so they would be home on time for dinner.

Esther's friend, Pip was "in training" for cross-country so Esther would run with him every morning at 5:00 a.m. Later in the city, King- Roy and Esther agreed to meet at the bus station at 4:00 p.m. to go back home; King- Roy never showed up after Sophie and Stewart's auditions. King-Roy was found in Harlem with his friend, Ax (who didn't like "white devils" which are Anglos). Esther then climbed up a tree because she was mad that her family was making fun of her. Her father came to her and said that he was sorry about the incident that happened. Next, King-Roy came and said that he would teach Esther how to tap dance. Lastly, Mrs. Young, Esther's mother, came outside to apologize Esther was complaining because she never received a thank-you for everything that she did. Mrs. Young said that she never receives a thank-you from anybody in the house-hold.

I really liked the book, its description and mental visualization. I didn't really like the lack of honesty between each character. The narrator explained their story very well and simple so it was easy to receive the information.

The book is one of my new favorite books. It is in my top 3 books!!!

The Summer of Kings: Good, Not Great.......2007-06-18

First, I would like to start off with the cover of the book. King Roy (the black man) looks like a 14-year-old boy without glasses. In the book he wears glasses, but how come not on the cover? Esther (the girl) looks like a 10-year-old, even though she is 14. Now I am going to talk about the characters. Sophia (Esther's 6-year-old sister) is a little spoiled brat who I've wanted to strangle ever since I started the book. Stewart (Esther's 7-year-old brother) is one of the only nice people in the book. Monsier Vichy is a cool character, even though Esther keeps saying he's "evil" (maybe because he's French, but who knows). Esther's mother is the most uptight mother ever, and she even makes fun of Esther, but she doesn't seem to mind. If I was
Esther, I would already have hitten her with a baseball bat. Esther's father is not in the book that much. The only thing I know about him, is that he is a director. Auntie Pie is a weirdo who has a very sweet tooth, Beatrice is an actress who is bad, and that's all I know about them. Pip is probably my favorite character, because he's calm, and he doesn't do stupid stuff. King Roy is following Malcom X's plan of destroying all the whites (yawn, like that's going to happen) and gets mad practically everyday. Esther is worried about the change, and thinks she is getting left behind. She is an outcast even in her family, and everyone thinks she is stupid, except for Pip. All in all, The Summer of Kings is a good book, but it sure is not a masterpiece.

A Summer Of Kings, an amazing book.......2007-04-24

"I decided that this would be the summer of a new me, a more mature me, a more mysterious and exotic me, and I determined that are new houseguest, the murderer, was to play a starring role in my new life." This is a quote from the amazing historical fiction novel, A Summer of Kings, by Han Nolen.
Esther is 14 years old, and she is always getting "left behind". Everyone is always telling her to grow up and her family is mean to her. She wants this summer of 1963 to be different, and it will be.
Esther plans on falling in love with King-Roy, who is an 18 year old African American sent to live with Esther's family after being accused of killing someone. King-Roy feels that the only way to get his rights is by being violent. He hates whites and is upset by the segregation going on in the world. Esther tries to help and understand while learning about what is happening in the world and "being the change she wants to see in the world'.
This is an amazing story, telling people to stand up for what is right and reminding people what life was like in the 1960's and the importance of freedom. Ester's feelings come right out of the book and I feel as if everything happening to Esther is happening to me.
I would recommend this book to anyone in 6th to 8th grade. I would also recommend this book to people who enjoy learning about the past and the life and problems of people who lived during that time.

Wonderful historical fiction/coming of age novel!!.......2006-07-22

A Summer of Kings is a great book. Part Historical Fiction, part a story about finding out who you are and what your place in the world is. It is very well written, thought provoking, has wonderfully developed characters, humor, and romance.

The plot:

Esther young is 14 years old, and is the black sheep of the family. She is viewed as untalented, stupid, and ugly. She is actually quite the opposite, and she is looking for a change. The perfect chance comes when she learns that a black man named King-Roy Johnson is coming to live with them, after being accused of murdering a white man. She is determined to fall in love with him, and have him return her feelings, an idea that receives much scorn from her best friend 'Pip'. When King-Roy arrives, Esther immediatly likes him, and he immediatly feels comfortable with her. They would be fast friends, except for King-Roy's internal struggle with what he believes is right. After a terrible tragedy results from the peaceful teaching of Martin Luther King Jr., King Roy is more enclined to believe in the teachings of Malcom X, A man who is against whites and believes that the only way to freedom is through violence. King-Roy and Esther will both go through a tough time in there life, in which they search for what is right, and what the true meaning of freedom is.

This book is wonderful! Han Nolan fans will thouroughly enjoy it, and so will first time readers of her work! ENJOY!!

A Summer of Kings reigns true.......2006-07-12

The story of Esther Young's summer preceding the famous March on Washington is one not to be missed. It was amazing how Nolan was able to intertwine such an important piece of history with a fictional story of a young girl's road to self-discovery. Whether the fiction or the history encompassed by this story is of interest to any reader, he or she is bound to love the story for all its parts.

Pony-Crazed Princess: Princess Ellie's Summer Vacation (Pony-Crazed Princess)

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Pony-Crazed Princess: Princess Ellie's Summer Vacation (Pony-Crazed Princess)
Diana Kimpton
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1423106164

The Chronicles of Faerie: The Summer King (Chronicles of Faerie)

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Great Faerie tale
Death does not part them
what a page turner!
My favorite of the Chronicles of Faerie
The Summer King

The Chronicles of Faerie: The Summer King (Chronicles of Faerie)
O.R. Melling
Manufacturer: Amulet Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0810959690

Book Description

Sequel to the critically-acclaimed The Hunter's Moon

This second book in a series "shimmering with magic, myth, and romance" (Booklist), follows sixteen-year-old Laurel as she tries to understand the cause of her twin sister's mysterious death. Honor believed in Faerie, a parallel land of mischievous immortals. Laurel doesn't. That is, until the fairies come and ask her to take up her sister's failed quest to find the Summer King, a lord who can light the midsummer fire that keeps the two worlds, human and Faerie, cleaved. Laurel must decide to help those whose cause killed her sister, and, in the process, come to believe that there is still magic-and love-in the world.

Lush descriptions of Ireland and Celtic lore make this a satisfying read for travelers to other lands, real and mythic.

Praise for The Hunter's Moon

*"A compelling blend of Irish mythology and geography." - School Library Journal (starred review)

"...[This] sensation-loaded celebration of Ireland and Faerie will be a powerful draw for many readers." - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Customer Reviews:

Great Faerie tale.......2007-05-17

On the anniversary of her twin sister's death, Laurel returns to Ireland in search of answers. Using her sister, Honor's, journal she finds references to a 'doorway', 'roly-poly man,' and a 'mission.' But what mission? Honor believed in the world of Faerie, something the cynical Laurel does not.

In the urban fantasy book, THE SUMMER KING, the reader follows cynical Laurel as she begins a quest to find the Summer King and save Faerie. All the while she harbors her own dream--to save her sister.

I found this book interesting and I loved the way author O.R. Melling describes the world of Faerie. You feel as if you are there. Rich and alive, you can almost feel the shock Laurel has when she realizes that Honor was right--Faerie does exist. The Gaelic language is vivid and though at times it did take me out of the story, I felt it was realistic. I mean, who hasn't heard the Irish tales of fairies? My own grandmother used to tell me these tales when I was young.

Check out the author's website at [...]The next book in The Chronicles of Faerie, will be THE LIGHT-BEARER'S DAUGHTER.

Death does not part them.......2007-05-17

Almost a year after her twin sister's death, Laurel returns to Ireland to find out why. What killed her bookish, honor student sister who believed in faeries? And--if what the fae are telling her is true--can she really get Honor back?

O. R. Melling is the real deal. She's Irish, she speaks the language, and she's studied the myths. When she writes about Ireland, she takes you there--and you don't want to leave. Go Underhill with Melling and other faery tales will not seem quite so real.

While this book is written for YA audiences, I think it's a compelling story for all ages and well worth the read. I plan on passing my copy along to a 13 year old niece and I'll get her the rest of the series as well.

what a page turner!.......2007-04-30

I keep telling myself that I am going to go to bed when I finish this chapter. Only to continue because I can not wait to find out what happens next! You know you got an entertaining story on your hand when that happens. I enjoy that its easy to read and I love the gaelic thrown in here and there. I intend to learn a lot more about Irish folklore after reading this book because it has sparked my interest. Very fun to read!

My favorite of the Chronicles of Faerie.......2007-04-27

Wow. I love fantasy, and this one truly captivated me. It is full of imagination and the characters were great as was the romance. The author's use of the Irish language and folk tales really brings these books to life. I definitely recommend this!

The Summer King.......2007-03-21

Our organization donates books to the schools and library every year. The librarian recommended this book which follows last years Hunters Moon as their choice. Both books are totally enjoyable and fanciful. The Summer King was a good choice for the middle schools. The teachers and librarians were very please with this choice as were the pupils who had read the first one.

Life & Style Compact Bible - King Kobra Cantaloupe: Summer Line 2005 (Nelson's Life & Style Bibles)

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Life & Style Compact Bible - King Kobra Cantaloupe: Summer Line 2005 (Nelson's Life & Style Bibles)

Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Imitation Leather

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Life & Style Gift Bible - Sandcastle Lagoon: Summer Line 2005 (Nelson's Life & Style)

ASIN: 0718012216

Book Description

Innovative, fresh looks that reflect today's progressive styles! Lightweight, portable, and downright stunning. Nelson's Life & Style Bibles comunicate individual personality and artful awareness. They're the "go-anywhere" Bibles for today with unconventional yet contemporary looks.

CHECK OUT the complete Summer Line for 2005
Pocket Bibles: Gator Green, Flamingo Fuchsia, Fiber Filter Mocha, Fiber Filter Lilac
Compact Bibles: Tidal Wave Sea Green, Tidal Wave Crystal Blue, Tidal Wave Midnight, King Kobra Watermelon, King Kobra Cantaloupe, King Kobra Pineapple
Gift Bibles: Sandcastle Sunset, Sandcastle Lagoon, Sandcastle Bronze, Distressed Cherry, Distressed Turf, Distressed Shadow

The Pattern in the Web: The Mythical Poetry of Charles Williams

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The Pattern in the Web: The Mythical Poetry of Charles Williams
Roma Alvah, Jr. King
Manufacturer: Kent State University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Letters to Lalage: The Letters of Charles Williams to Lois Lang-Sims

ASIN: 0873384121

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The Sweetest Book
A KIDS REVIEW
Wonderful story...read all books in the trilogy.
Best Friends Forever
The Wonderful Friendship that will Never End

Last Summer With Maizon
Jacqueline Woodson
Manufacturer: Putnam Juvenile
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0399237550

Book Description

Margaret dangled her legs over the edge of the fire escape and flipped to a clean page in her diary. "Maizon took a test in May. If she passes, she's going to go to this big private school in Connecticut. Every night I pray she doesn't get accepted."

Margaret and Maizon may not be family, but their bond feels a lot stronger than just friendship. They aren't exactly two peas in a pod-Maizon can be pretty flashy, while Margaret is more subdued-but they've done everything together since they can remember on their block in Brooklyn.

After this summer, though, everything might change. Not only has Margaret's father been in the hospital a lot lately, but for the first time she and Maizon will be split up. Maizon is afraid to go to a school with hardly any black students, and Margaret is afraid of feeling all alone, even though she's the one staying home.

Customer Reviews:

The Sweetest Book.......2006-05-10

This book is a reflection of when I had a really really good relationship with one of my friends and how Maizon and the other girl just always stuck together no matter what would happen. They were like paper and glue, just no seperation. Even through their trials and tribulations, they are like really close sister. Over there summer time, they went places together, spent time with each other. Went shopping with each other.

A KIDS REVIEW.......2005-04-06

IF YOU ARE A GIRL AND LIKE BOOKS ABOUT FRIENSHIP, THEN YOU WILL DEFINITELY LOVE LAST SUMMER WITH MAIZON. IT A LL BEGINS IN A FRIENSHIP THAT WILL LAST FOREVER. MARGARET AND MAIZON HAVE BEEN FRIENDS SINCE THEY WERE LITTLE AND THEY SHARE SO MANY THINGS LIKE WEARING THE SAME OUTFITS AND IN THE SAME CLASS TOGETHER. SUMMER IS COMING UP AND THEY ARE WILLING TO SPEND IT TOGETHER, BUT WILL ALL THIS CHANGE WHEN MAIZON TAKES A TEST FOR A SMARTER SCHOOL?
I LIKED THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT HAD ALOT OF DETAILS ON MANY DIFFERENT CHARACTERS AND IT MADE YOU GET SO INTO IT THAT YOU COULD NOT PUT THE BOOK DOWN AND STOP RDEADING BECAUSE ONCE YOU GOT INTO A CERTAIN PART , YOU JUST COULDN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. LIKE WHEN MAIZION TOOK THE TEST, I JUST HAD TO READ THE NEXT PART TO SEE IF SHE HAD GOT IN AND WAS GOING TO THE NEW SCHOOL.
IF I HAD A CHOOSE I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE I KNOW BECAUSE I WOULD DEFINITELY HAVE TO GET THE WORD OUT TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE SO THEY CAN AGREE WITH ME THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY A VERY GOOD BOOK. IF YOU DON'T READ THIS BOOK THEN HOW CAN YOU SEE FOR YOURSELF IF YOU LIKE IT OR NOT.

Wonderful story...read all books in the trilogy........2005-03-18

I read this book in order to prescreen it before giving it to my beloved 8-year old niece. It held my adult attention with no problem, but is still age-appropriate as marketed. The fascinating story of Maizon and her best friend Margaret unfolds largely on their block in the big city. These two have grown up together and are as "thick as thieves". The story follows them over the course of a summer when Margaret faces a personal family crisis and Maizon deals with the uncertainty of moving away from her beloved grandmother, family and friends (including Margaret) for the very first time.

Jacqueline Woodson crafts a fine story that is so real you'll believe it could have happen to you or some beautiful brown baby girl you know.

I'd highly recommend all of the books in the trilogy.

Best Friends Forever.......2004-10-11

This book reveiw is on a book named Last Summer with Maizon. This book is about two best friends named Margarate and Maizon who lives on Madison Street. Her friend Maizon was accepted to Blue Hills, a school where really educated people go. Margarate does not want them to be separated. Every night she wishes Maizon will not get accepted. But when Margarate's father has a second heart attack, he dies and now all Margarate has is Maizon, her mother, her little brother Jay and the people around. Margarete was having a rough time anyway and then Maizon got accepted to Blue Hills. When it was time for Maizon to leave Margarate, her mother and Maizon's grandmother dropped her off. When Maizon wasn't there with Margarate her whole life changed. At school she was becoming popular, she was liked now. Days passed by and Maizon still didn't call. When Margarate went to go get her brother at her neighbors house, that's when Maizon calls. Margarate was so excited that Maizon wanted to come home. Margarate ran to the grandmother's house telling her the news. Margarate said Maizon wants to come home, the grandmother says that she would go get her. When Maizon got home it was like old times, they ran into each others arms. They then went to their favorite spot and started talking. Maizon said she came back because she wasn't being treated right, she didn't feel the same. So they sat there and talked and felt like old times with my best friend Maizon. I think that this book should have gotten an award or five stars. This book has mostly everything of real life. It deals with best friends, for example like my friendship with Kiena. It has separation, like my sister and me. It has a lost loved one like my godfather and it has a lesson like when you do wrong and learn your lesson. I think that this book should have five stars because it really relates to real life,it shows friendship and it shows and explains what happens in real life. I like this book because it reminds me of my life, me and my friends, how we argue and lose our friendship and then gain it back with a little talking. It reminds me of how I lose people in my family and then cry because I miss them. If I could buy this book, I would let my whole family read it, I would make it our reference book for when we need advice or something to do. This book is so good that all my friends wanted to read it. It is so good that I really read it because I don't really read books and when I read the book it made me think of when my best friend Ariel was going to move and how it made me feel, and how I compare it to Margarate and Maizon. This book is excellent, the author really put their heart in it and that they were depressed and needed a friend. If you ask my best friend Johnniece, she'll say that she really enjoyed the book, that it should get five stars, because the author really put thought, confidence, respect, love, care and her whole heart into this book. When I say she put confidence in this book I meant that she wrote it knowning that it will be a hit. The author thought about the words, thought her life and compared it and started writing it with compassion. I think that this book should be the book of the month in my school, because it shows and teaches a lesson. With the summary I wrote I put my heart in it because when I read it, it touched my heart. I won't want my friend away from me. I think that I mostly relate to Maizon, because when she left Margarte was beginning to be liked, and the girl was talking about Maizon and Margarte sat there and watched and listened instead of doing the right thing and telling them to stop doing that to their friend. I relate to Maizon, I relate to her because if people don't like me, I don't care. If people want me out of somewhere, then I'll leave and if people love me, I love them back and that's how Maizon is. She doesn't take junk. Alot of people relate to Maizon. This book is interesting and gets interesting as you read on. This book is really a good book that shows you friendship, break-up and everything else that deals with real life. I love this book, it is really good and I think that if most people had this book then they wouldn't be out doing the stupid and illegal things that they are doing. This book really didn't grasp Dr. Kings dream because when Maizon went to Blue Hills, the whites were treating her bad, they saw her different. Brenliniqua, Class 7-512.

The Wonderful Friendship that will Never End.......2004-10-07

The Wonderful Friendship that will Never End
By: Johnnise Lopez

This review that you will read is about a wonderful book called "The Last Summer with Maizon" by Jacquline Woodson. This book is great I would recommend it to readers that likes to read about best friends relationships. I can relate to this book because I'm going through the same thing. Oneof my best friends, Aerial is leaving to Westown boarding school when we graduate from 8th grade. I will miss her alot but when she comes for vacation we will be together.
Now let me tell you more about the book. This story was mainly about two best friends Maizon and Margaret. Maizon lives with her grandmother. Her grandmother wants to to get her into a gifted J.H.S. in Connecticut called "Blue Hill".She thinks these schools in New York aren't challenging enough so she wants Maizon to go to boarding school in Connectitcut.
The next main character is a girl named Margaret which is Mazion's best friend. Maizon lives with her mother, her father, and her little brother Lil'Jay. Margaret doesn't want Maizon to go to Connecticut. She prays every night for Maizon to stay here on Madison Street.
Maizon and Margaret has been together since they were babies they both grew up together on Madison Street in New York. They have went to school on Madison Street they have carved their names on that street and did many other things that they will always remember. Its like their life is on Madison Street and Margaret doesn't want Maizon to leave.
Maizon's grandmother took Maizon to take the test for the gifted J.H.S. Maizon was hoping she failed the test but she then changed her mind. Everyday she would check the mailbox hoping the test was there. Margaret did the opposite she prayed everynight hoping Maizon failed the test. Margaret felt that if Maizon left she will then be alone and Maizon will find a new best friend, and forget about her.
A few months later Maizon looked in the mailbox for the millionth time and found a letter that was from Blue Hill. Maizon went up stairs opened the letter read it and spread a big smile across her face because it said "Congratulations Maizon you've been excepted to Blue Hill. Maizon told her grandmother then quickly called her best friend and told her the good news but Margaret thought of it as bad news. Margaret went and told her mother and she said "oh great". Margaret's mother didn't know how she felt about Maizon going to Blue Hill which meant leaving her. These two girls were so close that they promised each other not to go to Manhattan without each other.
Time then came for Maizon to go to Connecticut. Maizon, Margaret, Lil Jay, Margaret's mother and Maizon's grandmother went on the train to Manhattan to take Maizon to Penn Station. Maizon gave Margaret a huge hug said good bye and did the same to the others. On their way back to Madison Street Margaret asked her mother will her and Maizon become old best friends. Her mother said "no" never that made Margaret feel so much better but she still worried.
Hours later Maizon got to Blue Hill settled down met all her teachers and classmates. After a few days of being in the school Maizon got the message from her classmates. Maizon felt that they didn't like her, no one talked to her, no one payed her any attention, or even tried to be friends with her. Maizon didn't call anyone in New York for days because she wanted everyone to think she was okay. One day she couldn't hold it anymore and decided to call. She called and and spoke to Margaret told her how she felt and she wanted to come home. She told Margaret to tell her grandmother because she didn't want to disappoint her. she thinks her grandmother might think she just said that because she doesn't want to be there. Her grandmother found out called her and told her "it was going to be okay" and she can come home. A few days later Margaret was looking out the window and saw Maizon running to her house. Margaret went outside hugged her and told her how much she missed her. They then walked down Madison Street and talked about everything they did when they were younger.
I hope you enjoyed the review. I also hope you saw that there were two problems in the story. The 1st problem was that Margaret didn't want Maizon to go to Blue Hill. The solution was Maizon went but she didn't like it so she came back which made Margaret very happy. The2nd problem was that Margaret didn't like the way her classmates were treating her and she wanted to leave. The solution was that her grandmother made plans as quick as possible to get her here and she did. Maizon and Margaret was happy again.
Now that you have read a wonderful book review about the book "The Last Summer with Maizon" by Jacqueline Woodson, I hope you check it out and read it. Once you read the first page you will fall in love with the book.I hope you read the whole book and check out the 2nd part of the book "Maizon at Blue Hill". This book is just as good or better. The second part of the book talks about when she goes to Blue Hill and how she feels that she is different from the white kids, in the school. At Blue Hill there are only 5 black children and Maizon is the only 7th grader. Imagine how interesting this book will be "you can't know without reading it". I hope you read it and, I hope you liked the review.

I Am a Man!: Race, Manhood, and the Civil Rights Movement

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Black masculinity is a political force

I Am a Man!: Race, Manhood, and the Civil Rights Movement
Steve Estes
Manufacturer: The University of North Carolina Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0807855936
Release Date: 2005-02-16

Book Description

The civil rights movement was first and foremost a struggle for racial equality, but questions of gender lay deeply embedded within this struggle. Steve Estes explores key groups, leaders, and events in the movement to understand how activists used race and manhood to articulate their visions of what American society should be.

Estes demonstrates that, at crucial turning points in the movement, both segregationists and civil rights activists harnessed masculinist rhetoric, tapping into implicit assumptions about race, gender, and sexuality. Estes begins with an analysis of the role of black men in World War II and then examines the segregationists, who demonized black male sexuality and galvanized white men behind the ideal of southern honor. Later, he explores the militant new models of manhood espoused by civil rights activists and groups such as Malcolm X, the Nation of Islam, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Black Panther Party.

Reliance on masculinist organizing strategies had both positive and negative consequences, Estes concludes. Tracing these strategies from the integration of the U.S. military in the 1940s through the Million Man March in the 1990s, he shows that masculinism rallied men to action but left unchallenged many of the patriarchal assumptions that underlay American society.

Customer Reviews:

Black masculinity is a political force.......2005-09-09

Borrowing from a research model pioneered by feminist scholars,
Steve Estes examines the history of African American men in a racialized-gendered context to argue that black men's masculinity was at stake throughout these struggles.

The assistant professor of history at Sonoma State College produces an interesting and readable account of state politics. Examining the politics of representing black men's bodies, he argues that appearance can and does effectively influence civil rights.

From the days of slavery to the civil rights movement, black men being too assertive in the public sphere was a breach of the 'social order' established by racist white society.

Even people who were allegedly on their side (white abolitionists) depicted black men as 'begging' for their freedom, inferring dependence and weakness--decidedly 'unmasculine' traits.

Alternately, black men's sexuality was portrayed as a threat to the established order. A black man who had any degree of contact with a white woman in any context risked being perceived as the 'rapist' an ultra-masculine stereotype. Ironically, the white individuals and their organized hate groups claimed to only be protecting white women with the subsequent lynching being through `white masculinity's' obligation to `protect' the women of `our community'.

Because it was safer for black men during those times, they consequently adopted a position of subservience to the 'larger world'. Black women took an active lead in the earliest civil rights movements out of practicality.

Whether they had all of the theories our society now has access to, the Black Panthers also articulated a critique of black masculinity and political legitimacy. Sharply contrasting against the buffoonish 'Jim Crow' their ideal black man was an articulate, proactive, solider fighting on behalf of himself, his community, and his people.

Estes is passionate about his work and makes a generally convincing case for his thesis. I am curious that his manuscript did not include a more extensive examination of the Black Pather's articulated desire to build (then-unprecedented) alliances with homosexuals and women. There's some information about each group in this book, but nothing about this earliest coalition building attempt and nothing how that action had challenged heterosexism within the Black Panthers, or the after effects for black masculinity as a political force.

Taliessin through Logres, The Region of the Summer Stars, and Arthurian Torso

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Invocation, Invitation and Incantation
Bad Poetry but Great Commentary
The deepest, most richly-layered poetry I have ever read.

Taliessin through Logres, The Region of the Summer Stars, and Arthurian Torso
Charles Williams , and C. S. Lewis
Manufacturer: W. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

ASIN: 0802815782

Customer Reviews:

Invocation, Invitation and Incantation.......2003-09-04

"The cone's shadow of earth fell into space, and into, other than space, the third heaven. In the third heaven are the living unriven truths, climax tranquil in Venus. Merlin and Brisen heard, as in faint beelike humming round the cone's point, the feeling intellect hasten to fasten on the moving earth's hide. In the third heaven the stones of the waste glimmered like summer stars." That's the only poetry I can recite and I probably got it wrong. It's from Taliessin Through Logres and The Region of the Summer Stars, Williams' two cycles of Arthurian poetry (here in one volume). Without reading C.S.Lewis' commentary in Arthurian Torso (also in this volume)I wouldn't know what he meant, but these lines have something most poetry doesn't; they sound like an incantation, pulsing with power and vision. Like everything Williams wrote, they seem to pull you into another place and the walls between the two worlds dissolve. That's the effect of hearing these poems. Understanding them is another matter. Numerous critics have pointed out that they're rather hard to understand; C.S. Lewis penned his significant commentary in an effort to make Williams' last (and unfinished) poems accessible to a wider audience. He brilliantly succeeded both in opening these poems to the reader and showing how they complement Williams' other writings and echo his ideas. Lewis couldn't keep these two cycles from going out of print, but this Eerdmans volume, scarce as it is, gives credence to Williams' self-penned epitaph, "Poet, Under the Mercy."

Bad Poetry but Great Commentary.......2000-04-05

This book comes in four parts 1)Taliessin through Logres (collection of Charles Williams' poems about the Arthurian saga as seen through the eyes of the court poet Taliessin) 2)The Region of the Summer Stars (more of Williams' poems about the Holy Grail) 3)Arthurian Torso, consisting of a) Charles Williams prose work on the history of the Grail/Arthurian legend, entitled The Figure of Arthur, and b)C.S. Lewis's commentary on Williams' poetry, entitled Williams and the Arthuriad. A fine introduction by Mary McDermott Shideler accompanies the Eerdmans edition of this work.

I found Arthurian Torso to be the best part of the book by far. By itself, it deserves a five star rating. Williams traces the fascinating history of the Grail with the legend of King Arthur and the Round Table using a combination of scholarly acumen and lucid tutorial explanations. In other words, it is both accurate and understandable. Lewis, in turn, adds insightful commentary about both the Arthurian saga and Williams' poems on the subject. Lewis's wisdom and lucid prose are as delightful to read on this matter as they are about other subjects he tackled.

Unfortunately, I think the poetry will appeal to very few people. I give it a one star quality (which, when combined with the five star quality of the Arthurian Torso give the book an overall rank of three.) Even C.S. Lewis admits that Williams' biggest fault is his obscurity. (There are times when even such a scholar as Lewis - who not only loved the Arthurian legend, who adored poetry, and who had discussed this poetry at length with Williams himself - found himself puzzled by parts of it, describing parts of it as "cryptic", or saying "I end in doubts" or "There are things in this piece which I do not understand.")

I was unmoved by this poetry. It was like trying to read something in an unfamiliar language - no meaning was conveyed.

So all in all, this book receives a mixed review. If the Arthurian legend interests you, then this work is worth obtaining, simply for the Arthurian Torso section of it. If you get anything out of the poetry, it will be a bonus.

The deepest, most richly-layered poetry I have ever read........1997-04-19

This poetry takes some time to master, but it is well worth the effort. It recounts the rise and fall of Arthur's kingdom from the point of view of Taliessin, the court poet. The non-linear lyric pieces are a perfection of the craft; especial standouts are "Taliessin's Song of the Unicorn," and "The Queen's Servant." Perhaps if enough people become familiar with this hard-to-find classic, it will reappear in print! All lovers of Arthuriana: this is a must. Tawny M. Goswitz

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The Winter King and the Summer Queen
Poorly written and biased against winter
Neato, I must say...

The Winter King and the Summer Queen
Mary Lister
Manufacturer: Barefoot Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Fiction | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General & Reference | Technology | Science | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1841483575

Customer Reviews:

The Winter King and the Summer Queen.......2007-02-03

Although the text is not first-rate, the beautiful illustrations carry the story. As an elementary school librarian, I use this book with kindergartners, who love it and check it out over and over. A large bulletin board version of the King and Queen serves as a takeoff for vocabulary development--winter words are written on die-cut snowflakes, icicles, and clouds, and summer words are written on flowers, bees, bunnies, etc. Although not scientifically accurate, the pourquoi story satisfies young children's sense of wonder.

Poorly written and biased against winter.......2006-01-11

I think this is a pretty bad children's book, for two reasons.

First, the writing is poor in many ways. Some words are unnecessarily difficult for a young child to understand, and sentence structure and flow are very choppy at times. It's almost as if a third-grader and a twelth-grader took turns writing the sentences.

Second, the book claims that Summer is "good" and Winter is "bad". The two forces initially are at peace, but then Winter starts freezing people. Summer decides to rescue them by warming them up. Then two sides decide to negotiate a peace. Huh? It's just so ridiculous. I would have preferred a story that shows that both summer and winter as being equally valuable, but just different. I get the feeling the author lives up north somewhere and just personally hates the cold.

Neato, I must say..........2003-05-09

When I ordered this book, there was no other review for me to go upon. I judged this book solely on its cover and I am very pleased. The pictures are beautiful (in an ordinary way) and fit the story very well. However, they are not in the same league as K.Y. Craft or Mercer Mayer's fairy tale work. One thing that I found very helpful within this book for a classroom is the diversity pictured. The King and Queen's friends are all different colors and different cultures, which teaches young children an important lesson. My favorite is Maya Monsoon. The story also teaches children the importance of compromise and settling arguements with words not actions. The story is a creative way to explain the changing of the seasons and weather, with the neat addition of the King and Queen's friends. This book does a nice job explaing something quite complicated to young children. Enjoy!

Life & Style Compact Bible - Tidal Wave Crystal Blue: Summer Line 2005 (Nelson's Life & Style Bibles)

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Life & Style Compact Bible - Tidal Wave Crystal Blue: Summer Line 2005 (Nelson's Life & Style Bibles)

Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Imitation Leather

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Bible & Other Sacred Texts | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0718012208

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