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.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful.
A Truly Wonderfully Conceived Story
By Eric Selby
Set in the 1960s in Mississipp, Glory is an eleven-year-old white girl who has a fourteen-year-old sister. They live with their minister father and the maid/housekeeper, a black woman named Emma. There mother is dead. Yes, this is a typical southern middle-class family. It is summer, and Glory is looking forward to swimming in the pool--the whites only pool--and her up-coming birthday. She is also a reader--this helps one to believe the first-person narrative the author has chosen--with a special affinity for Nancy Drew mystery books.And the novel has a bit of that flavor. But also I see the influence of Harper Lee in this novel with the first person narrator, the mother who is dead, the black housekeeper, the father who represents virtues.And it is that historical time when Yankee--you know, those do-gooders who just aren't welcomed--come to the South to help with desegregation. And indeed a mother and her daughter have arrived, a daughter Glory's age. They meet in the library.And I am not going to tell any more of the story except to say that I am old enough to know that this is very accurate and one that I am sure young adults as well as actual adults would enjoy reading. I suspect the many young adults will know little of this history although I think the author has done a very good job of providing enough information to help young readers.I could easily see this being used as a classroom teaching tool. As a retired English teacher I know I would have used it.This is like putting "The Help" and "To Kill a Mockingbird" together for adolescents. Really great writing.
34 of 36 people found the following review helpful.Outstanding book!
By A Mississippi reader
This author tackled a painful subject, one that isn't being taught in many schools today. But a topic that needs to be taught! After reading the book, I can promise it is one you will want to read WITH your children and grandchildren and discuss how important these changes were. She writes about the South as only a true southerner could. Characters come alive and become friends you will remember. Such an important book in my view, I bought two copies of Glory Be to donate to the library at the school our grandchildren attend!
16 of 19 people found the following review helpful.A Southern charmer
By Barbara O'Connor
An important story of sisterly love, friendships, racial tension, all wrapped up in a pitch-perfect Southern setting. Scattergood is a debut author to watch. Add this one to your list.
