The Sharecropper Prodigy: A Southern Historical Thriller

by David Lee Malone

A true underdog story of an unlikely hero and two best friends coming of age in depression era, rural Alabama. Tom is white, Ben is black. This creates problems in this particular historical period. Ben Evans was born forty years too early. A black kid growing up in the height of the Great Depression in the South, being raised by an alcoholic, abusive and incestuous father. This is not the place, nor the circumstances, you would expect one of the brightest young minds of the time to emerge. But Ben has an insatiable curiosity from a very young age to learn everything there is to know about the world. With the help of Rachel Winston, the benevolent daughter of the man who owns the farm the Evan’s family lives on as sharecroppers, Ben finds a way to educate himself. He gains access to Rachel’s text books, as well as her fathers extensive private library. When a series of adventures cause Ben and his best friend Tom Martin to move to Atlanta to find work, Ben gets the opportunity to really expand his education. But the more educated Ben becomes, the more trouble he encounters in a time where black folks were not supposed to forget their place. Despite racism and other seemingly impossible barriers, Ben doesn't give in to self pity or hatred. Instead, he becomes more determined than ever. Genius and tenacity vs. racism, envy and lynch mobs in this southern historical thriller. Which will prevail? A novel for adults as well as young adult readers.

Genres: Fiction, Historical, Historical Fiction, Drama

317 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 31, 2012

Reviews

[Alicia Huxtable · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt story

I loved this story. Ben was such a wonderful character and it really showed in the way the author wrote his part. Every character in this story just made it a really 'unputdownable' book.......except Rube......I didn't like him at all.

[Renée Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Ben's thirst for knowledge. This book was very moving and touching. I cried and cried but I was also in awe with young Ben. The author of this book shows us how high and far the mind will take us once we fill it with knowledge. Ben did not let his color and age stop him from achieving what he wanted to achieve and doing what he knew was right. Even though the color of his skin brought on harsh treatment he treated everyone he meet with the same honest attitude. In the end it was Ben's honesty that hurt him the most.

[Willi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was heartrending!I love books about how black people overcame the race obsticles and somehow survived.Most of the time it's the other way around.This read was great to be able to vision a boy who was so smart and though he was black, could not get enough knowledge or love his Country enough.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and disturbing read dealing with a dark time in USA history, proving once again that intelligence has nothing to do with money or skin color.

[Eileen Abers · Rating 4 out of 5]

great story that kept me reading.

[Jerry Blackerby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting historical fiction novel. It presents three children, a brilliant black boy, a white boy and a white girl, who grew up as close friends during the Great Depression in rural Alabama. The characters are believable and the history is accurate resulting in an interesting, easy read; a real page turner. I could hardly put the book down until I finished it. I recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction.

[Jamie Teixeira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I absolutely loved this book. It contained everything. Friendship, loyalty, love, small minded bigotry, death, intellect, people getting their comeuppance. So beautiful written. It wasn't really a thriller but it definitely had suspense and a storyline that I have never come across. Highly recommended. The ending is so sad but I won't tell you why. Great job Malone.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

Well written tale of a brilliant black boy's struggle to overcome racism in the deep south in the 1940s. Great character development and expression of the prevailing attitudes of that time period.

[Laurie Burlison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, but lots of errors

It was enjoyable, but there were so many typographical and grammatical errors. They made me nuts! I enjoyed the characters, though. I only wish real life fell into place so easily.

[Jonetta Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

Excellent read

from the first page to the last, it kept me wanting to read more.
would love to see a second book picking up where this one left off

[Loren Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read

I enjoy the book so much
A must read book
I couldn't put it down
I hope they make a movie