Marvelous Middle Grade Monday - Glory Be

Welcome to Marvelous Middle Grade Monday!  It has been a few weeks, but I'm so glad that you've stopped by to see my pick for today.

GLORY BE
By: Augusta Scattergood
Scholastic Press 2012

First I would like to mention that the copy of Glory Be I read is actually a signed copy that I won from my good writing friend, Barbara Watson.  When you're done reading my post, go on over and see what book Barbara has featured today!

Glory Be is an historical novel that takes place in Mississippi during the summer of 1964. For middle school children who don't know much about this time in history and the upheaval found in America, it definitely gives them a sense of the issues our country faced in a simple yet meaningful way.

From Goodreads:
A Mississippi town in 1964 gets riled when tempers flare at the segregated public pool.

As much as Gloriana June Hemphill, or Glory as everyone knows her, wants to turn twelve, there are times when Glory wishes she could turn back the clock a year. Jesslyn, her sister and former confidante, no longer has the time of day for her now that she’ll be entering high school. Then there’s her best friend, Frankie. Things have always been so easy with Frankie, and now suddenly they aren’t. Maybe it’s the new girl from the North that’s got everyone out of sorts. Or maybe it’s the debate about whether or not the town should keep the segregated public pool open.

Augusta Scattergood has drawn on real-life events to create a memorable novel about family, friendship, and choices that aren’t always easy. 

I found it very interesting to read about the racial issues found in Hanging Moss, Mississippi through the eyes of Glory. Written in first-person, I felt like I was there with Glory feeling her anger at the pool being closed, her confusion as to why and her sense of duty to express her opinion in the only ways she could. The sense of how important family is was a thread woven throughout the novel and really brought all the characters together.

I hope you will add Glory Be to your to-read list! For my favorite MMGM links, check out the list to the right. Have a great week! 

One more note that I need to add.  The amazing Shannon Messenger, who started the idea of MMGM (Marvelous Middle Grade Monday), is soon to be published. Her debut middle grade novel, KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES, will be released on October 2nd.  On her blog this past Friday, Shannon shared an amazing pre-order offer for the book that enables you to receive a signed hardcover, book swag AND have another copy of the book donated to Kids Need to Read. To find out more about this amazing offer, check out Shannon's blog.