Flying South

by Laura Malone Elliott

Set during the sticky-hot summer of 1968 - a year in American history marked by assassinations, Vietnam War protests and civil rights rioting - "Flying South" tells the coming-of-age story of Alice, who faces some trying concerns of her own. She longs for a connection with her mother, who is beautiful but distant, caught up in the search for a husband who will help erase the memory of Alice's father. Alice's friendship with Bridget, a tennis-playing Twiggy, introduces her to competitiveness and the shallow pettiness of rich girls as well as to the prejudice that many Americans still feel towards black people. But it is her friendship with Doc, the family gardener, that continually brings her back to the truths that will shape the decisions in her life as he reminds her that she should always do what's right.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade

Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

About the author

also published under the name L.M. Elliot

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is 1968 and Alice, on the brink of turning 11, is spending a typical summer at home with Doc, their older gardner who she considers her best friend, and Edna, the sweet, paitent cook. Doc, at times cranky and grumpy, decides he wants to teach Alice about the roses, so she will be able to take care of the landscape when he is gone. They live in Virginia, in the house that Alice's mother grew up in.

Through Alice's eyes, the reader uncovers a rich, difficult history of a family and gets a glimpse into the political turmoil of the time. Alice's mother, Grace, moved back to the mansion she grew up in after running away at a young age with an aspiring pilot. He left her, with a very young Alice, and eventually Alice's grandmother brought them back to Virginia. Alice's grandparents are no longer alive, but through Doc and Edna she learns a bit more about Grace's wild ways and how her grandparents disapproved of her father. When Grace meets a wealthy, conservative politician, Alice's tomboy rambunctiousness becomes something of a problem. He has the great idea of having Alice spend time with his niece who is in town for the summer so that she can teach Alice tennis and refine her ways.

Things get serious with Grace's boyfriend. But when his proposal of marriage comes with a threat towards Alice, mom and daughter's relationship gets shaken and both must stand up for themselves.

This short chapter book for middle school students would be a good way to open up discussion about women's changing roles and the political events of the time. It is a good text for exploring mother/daughter relationships and coming of age, loyalty and friendship.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about growing up in the Summer of 1968. A summer of trouble in Virginia, US. Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther Luther Jr both assassinated, violent protesters against Vietnam and the black struggle continues.

But also a summer for growing up. All the struggles of choosing to spend lots of time with an elderly gardener or a family member of her mother's new boyfriend. Will her mother's boyfriend marry her mother or not?

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not a bad book. The rating is just a personal preference thing. I've never been a big fan of stories set in the 1970's. It didn't help that two of the characters were incredibly dislikeable for being so vocally prejudice and self-involved.

[Linda Stuckey · Rating 4 out of 5]

love the characters...Alice, Doc and Edna. They were so real to life. a soothing cozy read for me.

[Jina Mirghani · Rating 5 out of 5]

🤍

[Jina Mirghani · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Miss Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

gr 4-7 148 pgs

1968 Charlottesville, Virginia. 11 year old Alice lives with her widowed mother, Edna her housekeeper, and "Doc" the gardner. Alice wishes she was closer to her mother, but finds it easier to talk to Edna and "Doc". She especially likes talking with "Doc" about the roses. With their help, Alice tries to make sense of all the changes that are happening in society around her. When he mother's boyfriend's outspoken family put down people she cares about, Alice must decide whether she should be quiet or speak up for those she cares about.

Great story.

[Xue Yun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living in the same house as her mother, Alice tends to struggle to bond with her mother. While her mother tries to marry a politican and forget Alice's father, it's hurts for Alice to see her mother passinately forgetting her father.

Even though her mother rejected her, ALice, without a second word, with all she can do, helped her mother escape from the marriage blackhole with the politican.

This is a touching story and would really make you cry.

[Dotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice is inquisitive and that’s good and bad. Good because patient people like Doc and Edna are ready to answer her constant stream of questions. Bad because not everyone in Alice’s world wants to answer her questions. In 1968 there questions about race relations and relatives that are at the tip of Alice’s tongue.

Will kids react to this as well as I did? I thought the chapter headings with the lesson or axiom learned were cool.

[Ms. Heres]

The 1960's are full of unrest as the Vietnam War is protested by many and Civil Rights is a concept that is still difficult for some to appreciate. However, Alice is only worried about the people in her own small circle. More than anything she wants a closer relationship with her mother who seems to be thinking about marrying her latest boyfriend. Alice is not ready for all the change happening in her world.

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read, about a preteen during summer of 1968. Girl is dealing with a distant mother, but her grandfatherly Gardener helps her to understand how her Mom treats her isn't always how she really means to. Alice also deals with racism in her small town in Virginia, as well as sees how men and women aren't treated equally.

[Children's Literature Project · Rating 4 out of 5]

No reading level information available.

Alice lives in Charlottesville, VA in the year 1968. Assassinations, civil rights rioting and war protests are taking place. Alice learns life lessons such as standing up for what you believe in with the help of her friends Edna and Doc.

This book is recommended for grades 5-7.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set dufing the 1960s this book touches on some of the social and racial turmoil of the times as seen and experienced through the eyes eleven-year-old Alice. Though it is foreshadowed throughout the story, the ending left me hunting the tissues.

[Sharon Skinner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. Well-written.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was realistic and entertaining at the same time. It was about a girl growing up to do in the 1968 and 1969. It told about the struggles of growing up and racial injustice of the time.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic read and a must for every child raised in the South.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I read a children's book and it absolutely guts me and makes me cry, even though I am a cynical old adult. This was one of those books.

[Sniffer Blog · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I deeply, truly, wholly regret.
http://wp.me/p4DmjQ-ct

[Ari]

I did not finish this book. Why? Because I found it boring. It would have been a waste of a few hours if I finished this book.
I bought this book 3 or 4 years ago at a school fair for reasons I don't remember. I might read this book one day as it isnt completely horrible. Im just not interested in reading it.