The Stones of Mourning Creek

by Diane Les Becquets

When fourteen-year-old Francie befriends Ruthie, a black girl, amidst the rampant prejudice in their small town in 1960s Alabama, she suffers from the gruesome harassment of her white peers. But Ruthie demonstrates the humanity and love that helps Francie uncover the truth behind her mother’s death and deal with her father’s neglect and alcoholism.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Contemporary, Childrens, Mystery

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Diane Les Becquets is the author of BREAKING WILD and THE LAST WOMAN IN THE FOREST. Breaking Wild, an Indie Next Pick and a national bestseller, received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Booklist, and was featured on NPR’s "Morning Edition." It was the recipient of the Colorado Book Award in Fiction, the New Hampshire Outstanding Work of Fiction, and was shortlisted for the Reading the West Book Award in Fiction. Her newest novel, WHERE THE WATER MEETS THE SKY, will be published by Simon & Schuster on May 5, 2026. For more information, visit: https://lesbecquets.com

Reviews

[Ricki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came highly recommended from one of my very well-read students, so I knew I had to read it. It tells the story of two girls, one black and one white, who become friends in the 1960s. The white girl, Francie, is suffering from the accidental death of her mother, and her father is a drunk. Her life begins to change radically when she discovers her mother's death may not have been an accident after all.

I loved reading this novel and found it to be my favorite book, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. It is beautifully written and very engaging. I was drawn into the beauty of the characters and setting. The only reason I ranked it four stars rather than five was that I found it to be very predictable. I wish the author hadn't included the prologue, as it gave much of the story away to me. I loved reading this and will definitely recommend it to students.

[Jan Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet story of the friendship of two young girls. Francis and her friend unravel the mystery of what happened to Francies mother. But in the end the truth was costly

[Eve Mathews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will always be a beloved book for me. I first read it in the 7th grade and it has stayed with me all these years later. It was the first book that made me feel. It made me smile and it made me weep. It taught me about being a friend and standing up for others. I read it at least 5 times. I think every young person should read this!

[Samantha Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book popped into my head the other day. I read it in my early teens, and it was the first book to ever make me cry, so naturally, I've got to give it 5 stars. Maybe I'll read it again someday and rate it for real.

[Derreke Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I choose it because of the name but it was an interesting read. Loved the story despite the sadness. Great friendship don't always last long.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, great story! I read this in one sitting. I didn't mean to, but it grabbed me and I had to finish it.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book, but the last 2-3 chapters left me sad and stunned. Still, I highly recommend it to both teens and adults. Four stars.

[Makayla Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't express how good this book is! If you're someone looking for a view in the civil rights movement. this is a great book.

[Karrie Bray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is set in rural Alabama during the 1960s when blacks were supposed to have the same rights as white. Unfortunately, that is not the case in Spring Gap, AL. Francie, a 14 year old white girl lives alone with her father since her mother died. Ruthie is a young black girl who saves Francie's life after she is bitten by a snake. The two girls quickly forge a very close friendship. However, racism in their town is widespread. Once the townspeople realize the two girls are nearly inseparable, people begin trying to tear them apart. This is such an inspiring story of how these two girls remain friends while having to endure many indignities because their ethnicity is not the same. Francie is a character that commands admiration because she doesn't care about a person's skin color or their status in the community. Ruthie also elicits a deep respect from the reader with her humanity and love that ultimately help Francie discover the truth of her mother's death.

I think this book will appeal to readers in middle and high school because of the mystery and action involved. There is some strong language that would make it inappropriate for younger readers. This story will make you laugh out loud and cry. This would be a very good reading assignment for social studies to examine how life was for many black people in the South after the Jim Crow laws were abolished. I highly recommend this book.

[TeenFiction Teton County Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

TCL CALL # YA LES BECQUETS

This is the authors first novel and what a novel it is! It is filled with mystery, drama, friendship, racial prejudice and love. It takes place during the turbulent 1960's in Alabama. Francie, who is 14 years old, recently lost her mother in an "accident." Her dad loves his daughter but has his share of problems, which add tension to their relationship. Francie finds great pleasure visiting the creek that runs behind their house. During one of her visits to the creek she was bitten by a cottonmouth. The last thing she remembered was calling for help, but no one was around.

She awoke on a cot with a large colored women next to her, this was Mama Rae. Mama Rae's daughter, Ruthie found Francie by the creek. Francie and Ruthie became close friends. Their relationship grew and they soon found out that they had more in common than they realized. They discovered that Francie's mother was murdered and ruthie held the key to unlocking the mystery.

I couldn't put this book down. I love getting to know each of the girls' family and Francie new boyfriend.
True friendship and lvoe is expressed throughout this book. I'm looking forward to the authors's next book.

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a few years ago and it is one of less than a handful that have stuck with me. This is such a beautiful story that you really need to read to appreciate. It was the second book that really made me cry and that fact alone made a very big impact on me as I'm not one to usually cry (the first was Bridge To Terabithia and I will seriously deem you heartless if you tell me that you didn't tear up, even just a little for that book!!). This story is so complex and REAL and it's very rare to find such novels these days. I've recommended this book to everyone who was willing to read it and have not had one negative response. Because, obviously, it's just not possible with this book!! :)

[Sommer Ann McCullough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taking the regular conflict of the Deep South during the era of black segregation this book offers a breath of fresh air to this topic. Offering a unique story of an unlikely friendship between a white girl,Francie, and a black girl,Ruthie, you can see the turmoil and conflicts they must face. They are brough together and must solve the mystery of Francie's mother's death that may impact them closer than they ever imagined. The story is beautifully formed with the different conflicts leading the story along in an amazing fashion. The character's add so much to the story and you get a great sense of the history. It is one of my all time favs!

[Bri Hogue]

This is book, is so real that it makes you feel like your apart of her life, it's like your there with her.
It would be very hard to loose a mother and have a father that doesn't even listen to what you have to say, that isn't there for you when you need him to be.
Francie, is fourteen and her mother died when she went to try and find her husband, only Francie's father doesn't believe it was an accadent.... I don't want to give out to muh info so if you like books, from the 60s than you'll lOVE this one!...So go check it out!!

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This movie is such a good read!!! The friendship between a white girl and a black girl has never been this captivating in a 1950s setting because of all the discrimination and stereotypes. The ending is so poignant and shcoking that we can't help but shed a few tears, or maybe many. The love story embedded in this novel is also very cute although childish. I strongly recommend this novel to anyone really because it's just so tragic and it's a novel i will never forget.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all my YA loving friends who are always looking for a book suggestion, here it is! Francie, a young girl in the middle of 1960s Alabama becomes best friends with a colored girl and realizes people aren't kind. As she sticks true to her best friend, she begins to discover evils beyond racism surround her.

This is a fast-paced, easy read book touched my heart and held me captivate until the final pages. Such a sweet story of love and friendship in the midst of trouble and turmoil.

[Karin Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of the books that I could borrow free from Kindle's lending library. I thought it was good, but fairly predictable and there were some elements that just didn't work for me. A big element that didn't work was the portrayal of her father. It was just too inconsistent. Also, I felt the timeline of the story was a bit choppy.

Yet, I liked the historical setting and the friendship between Francie and Ruthie. Although, I think Ruthie's character needed more development too.

[Goldie Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, it is definitely one of my all-time favorite books. The plot, setting, and relationship between the main characters is captivating. My favorite character is tied between Mamma Rea and Ernest. I would recommend this book to anyone. I must admit that I i hated the fact that Ruthie was murdered

[Riley Boese · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book! I never had one before I read this one. I always said all books were my favorite. But this book had me at the edge of my seat. I kept saying "I'll read one more chapter and then stop." But I read until I finished the whole thing. I even started crying! This book is AMAZING!!!!!!

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intense, somewhat shocking read. The story is set in 1966 and is about Francie and Ruthie, two girls who become best friends across the color lines. A complicated series of events leads up to a major twist of the ending... well crafted to keep all the pieces in order!

[Mary Jo Mack · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book. We are discussing this title soon at book discussion and I think it will make for an interesting evening. I am still trying to decide at what grade level this book would be appropriate for a junior book discussion.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot better than I thought it would be. The relationship between Ruthie and Francine is so pure and genuine. The love story between Ernest and Francine never overpowers the other story-lines/relationships. Amazing read for any age!

[Pmcdnld2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Francie is 14, her mom has recently died, dad is a drunk-she becomes friends with Ruthie, a young black girl. Set in Alabama in the 1960's in a small town where a few white men get away literally with murder and anything else they want. Great read if very sad in places.

[Len Grabowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected find

Almost didn't, purchase, but what a great story.was not what l expected. Easy to read and understand.Beautiful vivid descriptions, felt like I was right there watching the story unfold.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching storyline

Really good book. Several storylines rolled into one. Murder, mystery, friendship beyond color boundaries, young love, faith & justice. Definitely recommend this book.

[Marcia Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book with a feel of The Secret Life of Bees but with a weepy ending. While 'The Bad' get what they deserve its at a huge loss to young girls. Brings to the forefront the reminder of racism and ignorance which at times is hard to swallow.

[Lora Beth Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story of friendships and love

Easy read. Good storyline of friendships, falling in love, and the struggles of being a teenage girl living in the back woods, southern USA, during Vietnam...and loving someone regardless of their color.

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made a big impression on me as a child.
I remember crying at the end.
Its a very sad story about racism, alcolismn, dept and murder.
A bit heavy for children especilly that kitten scene brrrrr....

[April Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book! A really great story about a friendship between two girls, one black, one white, in a time of racial prejudice.

[Heidi W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only got half-way through it and decided it wasn't worth it! It was really boring and not to mention morbidity+kittens= I hate this BOOK!

[Charlottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book!