Leaving Gee’s Bend by Irene Latham
In Leaving Gee’s Bend by Irene Latham, ten-year-old Ludelphia Bennett only knows one way of life and that is sharecropping and the people in her small town. In fact, she’s never left the town at all or explored the surrounding communities.
Life is relatively simple and happy but not without its sorrow as her mother loses baby after baby or without poverty due in part to the Great Depression. There is one thing that Ludelphia loves more than anything and that’s to quilt. Her mother says she was born to quilt and she’s never seen without a scrap of cloth and needle in her pocket. The act of quilting and the subsequent act of contemplation that it brings is a thread that binds this story together.
When Ludelphia’s mother delivers her new baby early and falls deathly ill, her family is told that there is nothing that can be done. But Ludelphia won’t give up that easily and takes off on her own to Camden, a town forty miles away in hopes of bringing the white doctor back with her.
The journey is eventful and challenging and tests Ludelphia’s courage and resolve. Remember she’s never been beyond her town’s borders before nor even seen a white person. But in her attempt to save her mothers life will she end up dooming the entire town of Gee’s Bend? It’s certainly possible.
I enjoyed learning more about this real town of Gee’s Bend which is steeped in quilting history and was the inspiration for this novel. The book felt a bit slow near the beginning of the book but once Ludelphia began her journey, everything began to move along and I was fully invested in her story. Many in the town believe in witchcraft which I felt brought an intriguing element to not only the story’s beginning but its end as well.
Ludelphia is a strong and memorable character and while she may not always be the smartest in certain situations, I like young girl characters who know what they want and how to hold their own.
I can’t think of anything better to say then what Steph worded so well in her review:
It offers a memorable character and a compelling story with several interesting twists. It also provides fertile ground for discussion of quilting and folk art, sharecropping, poverty, racism, courage, and compassion, among other things.
The cover is ultimately what drew me to this cover. I knew I wanted to read it before I knew what is about.
Leaving Gee’s Bend is part of my themed reading for the month of February which celebrates Black History Month. Join me this month as I explore books that celebrate the history of African-Americans.
Links of interest: Irene Latham website, blog and Twitter.
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction, approx ages 9-12.
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile. January 7, 2010.
Hardcover, 230 pages. ISBN 0399251790
Source copy: Unsolicited review copy (meaning it mysteriously showed up in my mail)
Leaving Gee’s Bend is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.
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Tags: African American, Black History Month reads, Fiction, historical fiction, I-L Author, I-L Title, published 2010, Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
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Another good pick Natasha. I really like the cover as well. I am going to see if my library has this one when I get back home.
on February 7th, 2010 at 7:34 amI loved this book! I read it in one sitting yesterday, while snowed in on the East Coast and I was completely engrossed in Ludelphia’s story. So well written.
on February 7th, 2010 at 8:35 amHaving lived in Alabama twice, I’m very familiar with Gee’s Bend and the quilts that are created there. I cannot wait to read this book!
on February 7th, 2010 at 8:35 amI plan to read and review this soon — it’s the quilting connection that interests me.
on February 7th, 2010 at 10:01 amI’m intrigued by the inclusion of the art of quilting in the story. My grandmother came from a line of quilters!
on February 7th, 2010 at 11:41 amI have memories of my mother and grandmother quilting. I remember there conversations, discussions and gossip during their stitches. This book should be enlightening and fascinating. Best of luck with your book.
on February 7th, 2010 at 1:09 pmGL
I’ll clear up a little mystery – copies of LEAVING GEE’S BEND came from the same publicist who sent us all copies of BLACK ANGELS. She originally contacted me asking if I was interested in BLACK ANGELS and if I could suggest other reviewers who might be also. No need to thank me (unless you have some extra Reese’s PB cups laying around – I’ll take those!).
Anyway, I’m excited to read this book, too. I’ve heard lots of positive buzz.
on February 7th, 2010 at 3:33 pmI’m going to see if my library has this. Doret at Happy Nappy Bookseller reviewed it. Because you have very different takes, I’d going to take a look.
on February 7th, 2010 at 6:27 pmAck, wrong link. Try this.
on February 7th, 2010 at 6:31 pmThis looks lovely; definitely adding to my tbr list.
on February 7th, 2010 at 9:11 pmHi! you came to my school love the book!
on February 18th, 2010 at 11:06 am[...] takes: Maw’s Books: “I enjoyed learning more about this real town of Gee’s Bend which is steeped in quilting [...]
on November 5th, 2010 at 10:03 pm