INTRODUCTION
Many of you appreciated the last middle grade book that Kate Lundeen reviewed on my blog, LOON COVE. Today she is back with her analysis of an historical novel, ONE FINE VOICE by Rebecca Langston-George.
REVIEW
Historium Press proudly presents the middle-grade novel One Fine Voice by Rebecca Langston- George. As the new preacher’s kid in Grayson, Indiana, Esther Hopkins feels pressure to be a godly role model. Townspeople want her to form friendships with acceptable deacon daughters but the kids at school want her to join them as they bully the poor kids in town.
Esther’s lonely heart wants to fit in and find friends. Esther’s family and the townspeople begin to question her loyalty when she forms relationships with kids from the wrong side of the tracks. The big test comes during the upcoming Independence Day celebrations. Esther has the voice of an angel, and the townspeople ask her to sing at the Independence Day celebration. At first Esther agrees but then she notices secret injustices occurring in town (Ku Klux Klan activities, religious discrimination of schoolmates, and shady political dealings). She considers going back on her word. Does she have the courage to stand up for the town’s downtrodden?
One of the admirable character qualities of Esther Hopkins is her determination to rise above the prejudice underneath the societal norms of her new home. She states, “I loathed, hated and absolutely abominated unfairness and people who acted better than everyone else” (p. 31). She lives this out in several ways. She forms a tight bond with a Catholic schoolmate even though her family is Baptist, befriends the African American family who others consider are no better than laundry maids, and tries to make her family aware of the KKK’s nefarious nature despite their polite political veneer.
Some of Esther’s methods for securing justice for the downtrodden may be a bit naughty (sneaking into an adult only school board meeting to find out information for her Catholic friend, lying to her parents several times about her whereabouts when she visits the African American family and meetings with her Catholic friend, and even ruining the headlines on the family’s newspaper to illustrate the KKK’s true nature).
I do not recommend her methods, but Esther’s heart is in the right place. Racial conflict and societal tension would not be as prevalent if we had the same compassionate heart and gumption that Esther Hopkins has. The end of the novel contains a touching and redemptive twist in Esther’s standing with her family and the townspeople.
Giveaway
Rebecca Langston-George has agreed to give an autographed copy of ONE FINE VOICE. Please leave a comment by March 4 to enter the giveaway. If you share this on social media or if you are an educator or librarian, let me know and I’ll enter your name twice. U.S. addresses only.
Guest Reviewer
Kate Lundeen is a frequent contributor to my blog. Last year she shared her thoughts about The Trail. She writes, “The Lord’s hand of watchful care and protection blessed my life from my start as a tiny premature infant. Doctors diagnosed me with cerebral palsy from birth complications which mainly affected my legs and motor skills. I also have a learning disability that does not allow me to write down or process thoughts as fast as other people. I am a former homeschooler and obtained an Associate in Arts degree from a North Carolina community college after five years of hard work! I discovered and developed a love for writing in college. Now I pen articles for my local church newsletter and write book reviews. I enjoy my current job as a part-time library assistant in a Christian library in Matthews, NC. I have a servant’s heart and a willing attitude to grow in old skills and develop new ones along whatever path the Lord chooses to take me.”
Make sure you check out other fine middle-grade books on Greg Pattridge’s Marvelous Middle Grade blog.
Just seeing this review makes me cry. For joy. To see a book like this is so uplifting. I truly hope I win it. I have a librarian in mind who would LOVE IT.
Thank you, LInda. I’ll enter your name twice!
This sounds like an interesting story to read. I would like to read it sometime. I added to my TBR. Oh my name is Havelah McLat 😊
Thanks Havelah. I recognized your name!
It is always inspiring to see someone stand up for someone else. “One Fine Voice” tells about this from a real life. It is amazing how authors like you and Rebecca Langston-George are able to capture the moments of courage from real people.
Don’t put my name in the hat.
Never Give Up
Joan
Thanks, Joan, for leaving a comment. I appreciate you doing that!
I must tell you I smiled reading this review when she said she didn’t recommend Esther’s methods. I think this may be a case where the ends justify the means.
You can let someone else have the opportunity to win this, I’m still working on a pretty massive TBR pile and my library holds have all been coming in at the same time recently!
Thanks for commenting, Laura! I understand a toppling TBR pile!!
This review makes me so happy! Thank you for featuring Rebecca and showcasing the talents of your reviewer. So glad I connected you two!
Thank you too!!
Thank you for the review! This book sounds so emotional and I can’t wait to meet Esther–she sounds like a well-developed character with internal and external conflicts as well as faults that make her feel like a real person. I shared this post on tumblr.
Thank you, Danielle for your comment and for sharing. You’re in twice!
Thanks for the great review, Kate. I enjoy stories where characters stand up to injustice. I’m going to let someone win who has time to read this book now.
thanks for reading and commenting, Natalie!
This has all the elements of a book that will be hard to put down. The main character will certainly engage readers. Thanks for posting your review on this Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. I’ll have to pass on the giveaway as my reasons mimic those of Natalie: TIME!
I hear you, Greg!
This sounds like a really interesting book. Thanks for the review. My reading pile is high so will pass on the give away. Happy MMGM.
Thanks for commenting, Beth. And I understand!!
I’m not sure I agree about disapproving of Esther’s actions. Sounds like she’s doing fine. Also sounds like an important book.
Thanks, Rebecca. I’ll add your name to the giveaway and maybe you’ll win and get to decide yourself!
Love the enthusiasm of so many of the comments. I will pass on the opportunity as many others I’m still working on my TBR.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Terrific review, Kate. Thanks for that. I love the title of the book. It sounds like a great story. I’ll pass on the giveaway. I’m buried in books.