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The Glory Field
- By Walter Dean Myers
- Genre: Family Life
Common Sense Media says
Stunning saga of an African-American family.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a stunning portrait of the progress of black Americans, as courageous teenagers escape slavery and combat prejudice and, later, drug addiction. The family's close ties give its members strength. Each simple but compelling story makes characters come alive and keeps readers involved. Although the book is long, it's divided into stories, making it easy to read.
What's the story?
This captivating saga of one black family takes readers on a journey from slavery to modern times. The book features teenagers from five generations, each undergoing a crisis that leads them to maturity. The collection of stories is compelling. Together they present a dynamic portrait of the progress of black people in the United States. A riveting, important book for all Americans.
In 1753, ten-year-old Muhammad is chained in the hold of a slave ship. In 1864 thirteen-year-old Lizzie escapes from slavery. After the war the family receives the Glory Field as their own farm. In 1900, they struggle to pay their taxes, and fifteen-year-old Elijah earns the money by saving a blind white boy. In 1930, his sixteen-year old daughter, Luvenia, is fired from her job in Chicago but decides to start her own business.
Back in South Carolina in 1964, sixteen-year-old Tommy, who has a chance to become the first black to enroll in the local state college, loses the opportunity when he stages a demonstration for civil rights. In 1994, Luvenia gives money to Malcolm to attend the family reunion, but Malcolm has difficulty trying to travel with his crack-addicted cousin, Shep. In South Carolina, Malcolm helps bring in the last crop from the Glory Field and learns his family's history.
Is it any good?
THE GLORY FIELD weaves together five stories to tell the tale of a strong family living on the land that their slave ancestors had worked and came to own. Each story has the power to keep readers involved, from Lizzie's exciting escape from slavery and Elijah's battle against a storm to Malcolm's trip from New York to South Carolina with his drug-addicted cousin.
The book introduces a wide range of characters and attitudes. While many incidents of white prejudice occur, Walter Dean Myers also presents whites who want justice for their black neighbors. Readers discover the fates of later generations of teenage characters as the stories progress. Tommy dies in Vietnam, and Luvenia becomes a wealthy businesswoman. The strong, capable Lewis family endures with Malcolm as its future.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about family history and obligation.
How does the larger family influence the individual character's
decisions?Does your family have a valued, shared possession -- land,
an object, a story -- like the Glory Field?
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- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
I LOOOOOOOOOOOOved it!
It inspired me to be grateful that I don’t live in earlier times when life was harder. The book made me aware of the things that families and generations before me had to go through. If you have not read this book I think that you should read it now and in its entirety to get the full effect. The Glory Field is a fantastic book that tells the story of the Lewis family from1753 to 1994, that is 241 years in one book. There are no excuses this book needs to be read and I just don’t know how else to say it.
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AGE
Perfect for kids who like black history and would like to know about their raice's past, but im a lil iffy about those yunger th
Omgee i love this book. Im a peprson who loves black history books,etc. and i absolutely aprove of this book. in the middle i thought i would lose interest but...I DIDN'T! This book was interesting all the way through. It is my first time reading a book by Walter Dean Myers but i will deffinately continue reading his books!!!!! p.s Another author i like is Sharon M. Draper!
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AGE
my eyes almost bled to death
i hated this book. if u like history books this book is for u but if u like exciting things then u will cry everytime u read this book
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AGE
A Message You Must Read!
This book was very interesting. It was kind of confusing at first, but then if you look deep within the pages, it contains messages that are great messages for not giving up and standing up for what you believe in. It also can show readers how things changed during the time of the Civil Rights Movement.
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AGE
It was SOOO GOOOD
You got to read this book, it is amazing
I read it, I think Teens Should read this book. I loved it
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AGE
this book is incredible
oh, my got, this book is the best book ever!!!!!!!! teenagers should read this book. it is about blacks sold as a slave. stating from 18th century to 21th century. a family relationship, friendship, and this book is so suspenceful
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AGE
Such A Great Book!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think that this book is verry interesting. I had to read this book for a summer reading project at my school, and i would read it again and again if i could. It really helped me understand how the "blacks" became free. Not only did this book help me in english class but also in history class!
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AGE
its good for tenns and adults
i love the glory field it was the most positive book ever and it also educational
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| Author: | Walter Dean Myers |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Family Life |
| Publisher: | Scholastic Inc. |
| Publication date: | January 1, 1994 |
| Number of pages: | 375 |
| Paperback price: | $5.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 17 |
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