When I pick up a book with a one word title, I expect it to be a significant choice. Crow by Barabara Wright (like Blue by Joyce Moyer Hostetter and Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson) did not disappoint.
Just a few:
Advice from Grandma: “Don’t crow till you fet out de woods. There might be a bear behind the last tree.” (103)
Grandma talking about herself: “If you think an unlettered old crow like me can’t see the use in a good education, you be wrong.” (135)
Daddy when Moses asks is white people are better than us: “You have heard the saying, ‘Every crow thinks her own bird the fairest?’ It’s common to find one’s own kind the most beautiful. From the seagull’s perspective, what is more natural and beautiful. The opposite is true for the crows. Whose to say what it is more beautiful than black? Who sets the standard? 172
Moses Thomas gets the importance of and discusses at least 2 forms of education, formal and informal: “She (Boo Nanny) taught me things that Daddy, will all his degrees, didn’t know…(tides, stars in different seasons, wonders/powers of nature). 106
Moses is a reader. He says of Treasure Island he got from his father for Christmas, “I for the books from my room and turned to the first page. I knew how the story turned out, for I had to read it several times-twice on my own, and once with Boo Nanny- but still I couldn’t wait to get into the tale again.” 145
Moses studies words and their subtleties. “I did what I always sis with a new word- worked it around in my head so it would stick.” 163
Universal theme of this book is ignorance and its results when left unchecked…the Wilmington Race Riots of 18 being one ugly example in our history…
Moses asks, “Why do they hate us, Daddy?”
“Ignorance. People hate and fear whet they don’t understand. The best things we can do is get to know our white neighbors, work with him, show him what makes us tick- that we’re no different from him.” 171
…and a boy’s education as he experiences it firsthand:
“I could feel my father’s presence in the room, could hear him say, “This is how it starts. One small step, and you ignore what you know to be right, and then the nest time, it is easier to do, and the next time a little easier still, and before you know it, every ounce of your self-worth is gone. 286
Just a few:
Advice from Grandma: “Don’t crow till you fet out de woods. There might be a bear behind the last tree.” (103)
Grandma talking about herself: “If you think an unlettered old crow like me can’t see the use in a good education, you be wrong.” (135)
Daddy when Moses asks is white people are better than us: “You have heard the saying, ‘Every crow thinks her own bird the fairest?’ It’s common to find one’s own kind the most beautiful. From the seagull’s perspective, what is more natural and beautiful. The opposite is true for the crows. Whose to say what it is more beautiful than black? Who sets the standard? 172
Moses Thomas gets the importance of and discusses at least 2 forms of education, formal and informal: “She (Boo Nanny) taught me things that Daddy, will all his degrees, didn’t know…(tides, stars in different seasons, wonders/powers of nature). 106
Moses is a reader. He says of Treasure Island he got from his father for Christmas, “I for the books from my room and turned to the first page. I knew how the story turned out, for I had to read it several times-twice on my own, and once with Boo Nanny- but still I couldn’t wait to get into the tale again.” 145
Moses studies words and their subtleties. “I did what I always sis with a new word- worked it around in my head so it would stick.” 163
Universal theme of this book is ignorance and its results when left unchecked…the Wilmington Race Riots of 18 being one ugly example in our history…
Moses asks, “Why do they hate us, Daddy?”
“Ignorance. People hate and fear whet they don’t understand. The best things we can do is get to know our white neighbors, work with him, show him what makes us tick- that we’re no different from him.” 171
…and a boy’s education as he experiences it firsthand:
“I could feel my father’s presence in the room, could hear him say, “This is how it starts. One small step, and you ignore what you know to be right, and then the nest time, it is easier to do, and the next time a little easier still, and before you know it, every ounce of your self-worth is gone. 286