A Girl Called Boy

by Belinda Hurmence

A pampered young African-American girl finds herself mysteriously transported back in time to the days of slavery.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Time Travel, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Childrens, Fantasy

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had loved this book growing up. I used to check it out from the library every summer. A few years ago, I bought myself a copy and finally have gotten around to reading it. This is one of my childhood favorites that doesn't quite live up to my memory.

I think that it is a good book for kids and I can see why I loved it when I was one, but now I want more detail. This novel is sort of like an introduction to slavery and what it was like to be a slave. Really good for the 7-10 age group, I think.

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book A Girl Called Boy was so much more than I expected. I figured it would be about a child passing for the opposite sex for reasons Of play or safety. But I did not expect her foray into the pre-Civil War era.

This is such a creative exploration of often misperceptions that many people possess. Some say they could have gotten free or never would have been enslaved. In reality we have no conception of the limitations, circumstances, or depth of treachery the enslaved faced. What is interesting is that it wasn't written as part of a daydream, nightmare, after a fall, or part of a concussion/coma.

This storyline was written as if Boy had walked through the woods and crossed the path into the previous century. The author used a lot of care and kept the child in very safe situations. Boy was never hurt, injured, or beaten. Boy never worked in the fields, so she had an easier time.

This is the first time a book has address the job assignments in such great detail for the children based on gender. I think this unique structured reality makes this book accessible to more children, and it would be a gentle way to open up the dialogue with children about the hurtful past of US and world slavery.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great find! A Girl Called Boy tells the story of a young African American who struggles to understand why her family is proud of their ancestors--southern slaves during the era of the Civil War. On a walk through the woods, Boy suddenly finds herself transported back in time with slave catchers on her trail. This historical fiction novel is exactly the type of book I would have loved and still love to read. Even though it seems written for younger students, I would recommend it for all ages and both genders.

[Breona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me to a whole 'nother world!!!!' On a real-life adventure!!!!! I felt as if I were really there!!! Every step of the way!!! I LOVED reading this book. After I read it the first time I went back and read it again and again and again. I have a copy in my closet right now. This book is awesome! It had my eyes glued to the pages the whole time.

[Pam Bierbaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

The transition is a bit difficult to follow and somewhat scary, but it brought the past alive in meaningful detail. It raises a lot of questions that would encourage research. Some of the dialect is difficult to to follow; most kids would have a hard time following. Maybe by 3rd grade?

[Heather L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Physical book - great book! The main character is very annoying to start but then rounds out as her experience changes. Great journey and lessons learned on the part of the character. Wholesome ending. Enjoyed reading this one and would recommend if you’re considering reading it.

[Gena Swenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another book that took me on such adventures, where the character and I learned together. Well loved, and remembered fondly many, many years later.

[Meghan Szady · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book. There was a bit of language choice that makes me not recommend it for 5th grade despite the good lessons throughout the book.

[Nella ☾ of Bookland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so traumatizing. Like, it legit scared me crapless.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do love me a good time travel story. Boy was a little more stuck up than I would've liked, but I appreciate that that helped highlight the contrast of how she grew by the end of the book.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've recommended this book to several students for three reasons: the title is intriguing, the reading level is 7th grade, and the book is obviously African-American lit. I finally decided to read it myself. It's not quite what I expected.

The students really seem to like it but I found it rather bland. There's no real reason for the time travel to occur. Once in the past, Boy really doesn't learn much other than to gain some sympathy for slaves who didn't run away. I didn't see much growth in character so I was disappointed.

I'll continue to recommend the book and I'll be able to hold a decent conversation about it. On the whole, though, I wasn't impressed.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A modern girl denounces her family for being slaves because she feels they let it happen, until she is transported back in time and finds herself in her great grandmother's shoes.

I really liked the different emotions and perspectives this book brought, but my kids were confused with the time travel, mistaken identity, and other plot twists.

Used for my highest group during Lit circles. Would recommend for upper grades, but students definately needed support while reading.

[Lexi Lexi · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's a very sad book and disappointing lite way.
I'm not eager or excited to keep reading it, I have too read a book and plus it's Black history month.
The main character is Boy,she wish she had a real girl name.
She Hates her Name !
Her mother named her boy because it's a family tradition, Boy was her Mother's name so she Named Boy Boy.
Boy's mother treats her as if she's her own personal save.
she has Boy do everything.

[Hailey Woerner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved that this book added a lot of history into it without seeming like a school textbook. The story was exciting, and I found myself drawn deep into the world with "Boy".

Boy is a well-drawn character with no idea what had happened when she discovered a "portal" that took her to the past. Along the way she meets many other characters, all with their own personalities and values--which makes for quite interesting dialogue exchanges.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.

[Katrina]

so far the book is pretty boring. it seems like boy went back in time some how.boys mother makes her do everything and i kinda know how she feels about her mother making her do everything because that's how i feel.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. Though the premise is promising the story does not deliver.

[Bug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book

[Lisa Mcbroom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bertha O. Yancey (BOY for short) is a spoiled pampered young African American girl. A bump on the head transport her back to the days of slavery and she grows to appreciate her ancestors.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually yelled at the book when it ended. I sat there and repeated 'No. No. No. No, no, no. No. I liked the book, however it was too short for me.