crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
ARC via publisher
I enjoyed the first Zora and Me, but this second book was even better than the first. Zora and Carrie are a fun pair with Carrie being cautious, but willing to follow Zora into her scrapes. Zora is fabulous with words. She has great turns of phrase and can tell stories like nobody's business. Her imagination is working every moment she's awake.
It's also interesting to see the third part of their trio become more than a little distracting for Carrie. Teddy inspires some fluttery feelings.
The story has just the right mix of humor, mystery, creepiness, and love.
I enjoyed the first Zora and Me, but this second book was even better than the first. Zora and Carrie are a fun pair with Carrie being cautious, but willing to follow Zora into her scrapes. Zora is fabulous with words. She has great turns of phrase and can tell stories like nobody's business. Her imagination is working every moment she's awake.
It's also interesting to see the third part of their trio become more than a little distracting for Carrie. Teddy inspires some fluttery feelings.
The story has just the right mix of humor, mystery, creepiness, and love.
mallorykjorgensen's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting. Very different than I thought it would be. I had no idea that this book was based on the woman who wrote "Their Eyes Were Watching God".
pziemlewicz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
amysutton's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting book with a fictionalized version of Zora Neale Hurston's childhood. I really loved the storyline that focused on Carrie and Zora. The alternating perspective was somewhat distracting to me. Overall, this was a very intriguing story. I didn't realize it was the second in a series, but it stood alone just fine. I plan to go back and read the first book soon.
magicianactor's review against another edition
5.0
Profound and important, a very eloquent sequel. Says for ages 10-14, this is definitely for the older part of that range, at least.
duskyliterati's review against another edition
4.0
Last year, I read a great biography about Zora Neale Hurston by Valerie Boyd, so I was looking forward to reading this young adult novel with Zora as a young child. Fourth graders, Zora and her best friends, Carrie and Teddy, search for the truth when a turpentine worker’s body is found dead and beheaded on the railroad tracks. The book is told from Carrie’s point of view; hence, the “Me” in the title. The action takes place in Zora Neale Hurston’s hometown of Eatonville, Florida.
I can see why this book was endorsed by the Zora Neale Hurston Trust (the only project to be given such an honor, not by Hurston herself). Bond and Simon uncannily capture the spirit of Hurston through the young Zora. Zora displays a knack for tall tales, as she convinces the other schoolchildren there’s a gator-man (half-man, half-gator) in their community. If you have read Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, then you will recognize Joe Clarke’s store with the men whiling away the day on the front porch. I love how the authors pay attention to the smallest details, for example, that there were only 45 states at the time.
The authors brillantly capture Hurston’s traveling spirit and natural curiosity in little Zora. This magical story is a must read for Hurston fans.
Zora and Me has been nominated for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award and won the 2011 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award.
I can see why this book was endorsed by the Zora Neale Hurston Trust (the only project to be given such an honor, not by Hurston herself). Bond and Simon uncannily capture the spirit of Hurston through the young Zora. Zora displays a knack for tall tales, as she convinces the other schoolchildren there’s a gator-man (half-man, half-gator) in their community. If you have read Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, then you will recognize Joe Clarke’s store with the men whiling away the day on the front porch. I love how the authors pay attention to the smallest details, for example, that there were only 45 states at the time.
The authors brillantly capture Hurston’s traveling spirit and natural curiosity in little Zora. This magical story is a must read for Hurston fans.
Zora and Me has been nominated for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award and won the 2011 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award.
fae269's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
beecheralyson's review against another edition
4.0
I started this yesterday and had so many interruptions that I couldn't finish it until today. An interesting fictionalized account of the life of Zra Neale Hurston as a child. A wonderful sense of place and setting, and a good story of friendship, and southern tales, race relations, and learning wrapped up all together in one book.
book_nut's review against another edition
4.0
A compelling read, even if the n-word (several times) was a bit disconcerting. Good historical fiction.