The story is told over a year through the eyes of Cassie (a 9 year old black girl in 1933 Mississippi). During the year her world changes as she discovers what her position in society is, or at least what the white folks who live nearby think it is, and why their opinion counts for so much. The warmth and love within her family gives an excellent grounding and allows for some truly horrific things to happen but because of Cassie’s faith in her family you always felt they would work out. Cassie’s protected perspective means the story came in bits of over-heard conversation or playground gossip so it takes a while for the whole picture to emerge and the consequences of actions to be revealed.
An excellent book well worth a read!
