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The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA
The Coretta Scott King Honor-winning author tells the moving story of the friendship between a young white boy and a Black WWII veteran who has recently returned to the unwelcoming Jim Crow South.
On Gabriel's 12th birthday, he gets a new bike - and is so excited that he accidentally rides it right into the path of a car. Fortunately, a Black man named Meriwether pushes him out of the way just in time, and fixes his damaged bike. As a thank you, Gabriel gets him a job at his dad's auto shop. Gabriel's dad hires him with some hesitation, however, anticipating trouble with the other mechanic, who makes no secret of his racist opinions.
Gabriel and Meriwether become friends, and Gabriel learns that Meriwether drove a tank in the Army's all-Black 761st Tank Battalion in WWII. Meriwether is proud of his service, but has to keep it a secret because talking about it could be dangerous. Sadly, danger finds Meriwether, anyway, when his family receives a frightening threat. The South being the way it is, there's no guarantee that the police will help - and Gabriel doesn't know what will happen if Meriwether feels forced to take the law into his own hands.
On Gabriel's 12th birthday, he gets a new bike - and is so excited that he accidentally rides it right into the path of a car. Fortunately, a Black man named Meriwether pushes him out of the way just in time, and fixes his damaged bike. As a thank you, Gabriel gets him a job at his dad's auto shop. Gabriel's dad hires him with some hesitation, however, anticipating trouble with the other mechanic, who makes no secret of his racist opinions.
Gabriel and Meriwether become friends, and Gabriel learns that Meriwether drove a tank in the Army's all-Black 761st Tank Battalion in WWII. Meriwether is proud of his service, but has to keep it a secret because talking about it could be dangerous. Sadly, danger finds Meriwether, anyway, when his family receives a frightening threat. The South being the way it is, there's no guarantee that the police will help - and Gabriel doesn't know what will happen if Meriwether feels forced to take the law into his own hands.
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First published January 8, 2019
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About the author
Brenda Woods
22 books70 followersBrenda Woods was born in Ohio, grew up in Southern California, and attended California State University, Northridge. Her award-winning books for young readers include The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond (a CCBC choice and a Kirkus Reviews Best Book); the Coretta Scott King Honor winner The Red Rose Box; the ALAN Pick Saint Louis Armstrong Beach; and VOYA Top Shelf Fiction selection Emako Blue. Woods’s numerous awards and honors include the Judy Lopez Memorial Book Award, the FOCAL International Award, and the ILA Children’s Choice Young Adult Fiction Award. She lives in the Los Angeles area.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 289 reviews
February 18, 2019
A very good middle school read about life in the Jim Crow South, following WWII. A young white boy growing up in a progressive, educated home (with parents educated at Oberlin College) turns 12, and is almost killed riding his new bicycle, but is saved by the quick action of a black handyman named Meriwether. The two strike us a friendship, resulting in Meriwether getting hired at the boy's father's gas station when a mechanic leaves for a woman. The other mechanic is most displeased, and may belong to the local KKK chapter. Turns out Meriwether is one of the many blacks who returned from WWII having served in the military with distinction only to find out they were still second class citizens. When things go south [pun] for Meriwether and his family, they get enough help to avoid a serious problem. Hopeful book about the future of race relations.
August 21, 2018
Such a strong and beautiful story between a boy and a soldier with a past bursting to be shared.
June 6, 2020
I love it when I stumble across a book that opens my eyes to another piece of history, another part of the world, another person’s experience. Especially if it’s middle-grade fiction because somehow those are always more poignant while they are gentle.
I didn’t know much about the Black Panthers, and now I want to know more. *opens Wikipedia tab* I didn’t know about the disrespect and violence against black veterans returning from World War II. And I didn’t know about some of the more subtle ways racism has reared its ugly head.
And the great thing about this book was that the main character, twelve-year-old Gabe, didn’t either. I almost felt as if I got to discover and be heartbroken by these things right along with him. He was a good point of view character in that respect, but it was also fun how he was all boy with his own hopes and dreams and wonderings. ;) Meriwether was a great mixture of mentor and friend, and I loved him for his bravery and gentleness. I was with him all the way and really rooting for him to make the right decision in the end, though I was empathetic to all the pressure on him. And their friendship was pretty great. :D
I loved the characters, the writing style, and the setting, but the greatest power of this book was how ordinary it was. Just a small town with big problems, like yours or mine. It was quite thought-provoking, and the ending tugged at my heartstrings and tear ducts. ;)
Just a note, since this book deals with the issue of racism, parents may want to have a guided discussion with young readers. There was also . Some racistic terms and possibly one blasphemy were also used.
Best quote: He smiled. “Glad to know that. I would hate to have anything bad happen to a friend.” “Friend? Thank you, sir.” “I bet I know what you’re thinkin’...but age has little to do with genuine friendship. Recipe for friendship is liking and trust. Respect gets mixed up in there too.”
Altogether, I’m glad I’ve read this. I will be adding it to the annals of my favorite American history books. ;)
And three cheers for the cover. <3
I didn’t know much about the Black Panthers, and now I want to know more. *opens Wikipedia tab* I didn’t know about the disrespect and violence against black veterans returning from World War II. And I didn’t know about some of the more subtle ways racism has reared its ugly head.
And the great thing about this book was that the main character, twelve-year-old Gabe, didn’t either. I almost felt as if I got to discover and be heartbroken by these things right along with him. He was a good point of view character in that respect, but it was also fun how he was all boy with his own hopes and dreams and wonderings. ;) Meriwether was a great mixture of mentor and friend, and I loved him for his bravery and gentleness. I was with him all the way and really rooting for him to make the right decision in the end, though I was empathetic to all the pressure on him. And their friendship was pretty great. :D
I loved the characters, the writing style, and the setting, but the greatest power of this book was how ordinary it was. Just a small town with big problems, like yours or mine. It was quite thought-provoking, and the ending tugged at my heartstrings and tear ducts. ;)
Just a note, since this book deals with the issue of racism, parents may want to have a guided discussion with young readers. There was also . Some racistic terms and possibly one blasphemy were also used.
Best quote: He smiled. “Glad to know that. I would hate to have anything bad happen to a friend.” “Friend? Thank you, sir.” “I bet I know what you’re thinkin’...but age has little to do with genuine friendship. Recipe for friendship is liking and trust. Respect gets mixed up in there too.”
Altogether, I’m glad I’ve read this. I will be adding it to the annals of my favorite American history books. ;)
And three cheers for the cover. <3
February 3, 2019
This book was overly simplistic even for a middle grade audience. The biggest issue is that it falls under the “magical negro” trope which I am not a fan of. A young white boy, in the south, rides his new bike, and is saved by an older black man. They become friends and the boy gets the man a job at his dad’s garage. Man teaches boy lessons including that African Americans served with honor and distinction in WW2 and were then ‘punished’ when the returned home. While it’s important for kids to know this history, it could have been told in a more sophisticated way.
January 9, 2022
Take a step back in time to the mid 1940s in a small southern town. . .
Set in 1946 (about a year after the end of World War II), Gabriel,a white tween who befriends Meriwether Hunter, a World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Even though Meriwether is a war veteran, he is having a hard time finding employment and supporting his family because he is a Black American.
Can Gabriel help him find employment? Can he protect his new friend and his family from the racists in town? This is a fast-paced story that will leave you with uneasy answers.
Set in 1946 (about a year after the end of World War II), Gabriel,a white tween who befriends Meriwether Hunter, a World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Even though Meriwether is a war veteran, he is having a hard time finding employment and supporting his family because he is a Black American.
Can Gabriel help him find employment? Can he protect his new friend and his family from the racists in town? This is a fast-paced story that will leave you with uneasy answers.
January 4, 2019
The cover is priceless and speaks beautifully of the story within. An unemployed WW II vet risks his own life to save a twelve-year-old boy from getting hit by a car. In the voice of this young man we view the town of Birdsong, South Carolina circa 1946. We learn the harsh realities of the Jim Crow South through his eyes and hear his voice. As Meriweather becomes a friend, we learn the value of seeing the world through more than one set of eyes. Highly recommended!
A big thank you to Nancy Paulsen Books and Edelweiss for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A big thank you to Nancy Paulsen Books and Edelweiss for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2018
Interest Level: 5-8
Have you ever made a big mistake but luckily someone was there to save you? Gabriel turns twelve and is so excited to get a brand new bike. He is so busy showing off and watching people watching him that he was not paying attention to the traffic light that had just turned red. He is just about to be hit by Mrs. Babcock and her big ole car when someone rushes in and pushes him out of the way. It was a black man named Meriwether who was sitting on the corner looking for a job. The problem is, this is Birdsong, South Carolina in 1946. Even though segregation is over, this is the south, and things are not as accepting as in the north. Gabriel and Meriwether become fast friends despite the vast age difference and the color of their skin. Gabriel talks his dad into hiring Meriwether at his gas station, which happens to be in the Green Book. This was a book that offered places of safety for African Americans who were traveling. However, Gabriel's dad has a young, white male who works for him that doesn't believe that whites and blacks are equal and is determined to cause all kinds of problems for Meriwether. Gabriel then learns a huge secret that Meriwether has been keeping - he was actually a member of the Army's All Black 761st Tank Batillion of WWII. He is very proud of his service but he has to keep it a secret because it is so dangerous for himself and his family if anyone found out. When the wrong person finds out about this, Meriwether's daughter is in danger. Will Gabriel be able to save Meriwether and pay him back? Or will evil win? Read this amazing book full of family, friendship, and love despite skin color.
This book is so absolutely, incredibly, amazingly fantastic!! Even though we have come so far since these days, I feel like we have not come far enough. I love fact that Gabriel just sees a friend, not black vs. white. I love the fact that Gabriel stands up for right no matter what the cultural expectations are. I also love that Gabriel's dad instilled these values in his son. My favorite quote from the book is "Well, Gabriel. You'll learn some people just feel the need to think they are better than other folks strictly because of the color of their skin. But I say this: treat all folks, regardless of color, with courtesy and respect. And be as good a person as you can be. Simple as that." This is a MUST read for 2019!!!
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Have you ever made a big mistake but luckily someone was there to save you? Gabriel turns twelve and is so excited to get a brand new bike. He is so busy showing off and watching people watching him that he was not paying attention to the traffic light that had just turned red. He is just about to be hit by Mrs. Babcock and her big ole car when someone rushes in and pushes him out of the way. It was a black man named Meriwether who was sitting on the corner looking for a job. The problem is, this is Birdsong, South Carolina in 1946. Even though segregation is over, this is the south, and things are not as accepting as in the north. Gabriel and Meriwether become fast friends despite the vast age difference and the color of their skin. Gabriel talks his dad into hiring Meriwether at his gas station, which happens to be in the Green Book. This was a book that offered places of safety for African Americans who were traveling. However, Gabriel's dad has a young, white male who works for him that doesn't believe that whites and blacks are equal and is determined to cause all kinds of problems for Meriwether. Gabriel then learns a huge secret that Meriwether has been keeping - he was actually a member of the Army's All Black 761st Tank Batillion of WWII. He is very proud of his service but he has to keep it a secret because it is so dangerous for himself and his family if anyone found out. When the wrong person finds out about this, Meriwether's daughter is in danger. Will Gabriel be able to save Meriwether and pay him back? Or will evil win? Read this amazing book full of family, friendship, and love despite skin color.
This book is so absolutely, incredibly, amazingly fantastic!! Even though we have come so far since these days, I feel like we have not come far enough. I love fact that Gabriel just sees a friend, not black vs. white. I love the fact that Gabriel stands up for right no matter what the cultural expectations are. I also love that Gabriel's dad instilled these values in his son. My favorite quote from the book is "Well, Gabriel. You'll learn some people just feel the need to think they are better than other folks strictly because of the color of their skin. But I say this: treat all folks, regardless of color, with courtesy and respect. And be as good a person as you can be. Simple as that." This is a MUST read for 2019!!!
Follow me:
Blog - Blazer Tales - https://blazertales.com/
Facebook - Laurie’s Library Place - https://www.facebook.com/LauriesLibra...
Instagram - laurieslibrary - https://www.instagram.com/laurieslibr...
Twitter - @laurieevans27 https://twitter.com/laurieevans27?lan...
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February 18, 2019
It's the summer of 1946 and in Birdsong, South Carolina, Gabriel Haberlin has just tuned 12 and received a brand new Schwinn Autocycle Deluxe for his birthday. Excited to test it out and show his friend Patrick, Gabe sets off not paying too much attention to a stoplight ahead of him that has just turned red, and it's too late for him to swerve out of the way of an oncoming car. Lucky for Gabe, someone pushes him out of way just in time.
That someone is Meriwether Hunter, a black man looking for work. Gabe, so grateful to him not just for saving his life, but for fixing his mangled bike on the spot, convinces his father, owner of a garage that is listed in The Negro Motorist Green Book, to give Meriwether a job fixing cars. It seems Meriwether is a genius at fixing things. The only problem is that the other mechanic, Lucas Shaw, really doesn't like black people and rumor has it that he either belongs to the Ku Klux Klan or at least has friends who belong.
Gabe's mother has always thought of Birdsong as a "peaceful, pretty place" but that's because the Haberlins are white. For the black people living on "The Other Side," Birdsong is a segregated, potentially dangerous place, as Gabe discovers when he befriends Meriwether. And as they spend more time together, Gabe begins to look around him and see just how life really is for those living on The Other Side: his school so much better than the school the black children go to, he has access to the public library, while Meriwether's daughter Abigail, an avid reader at 10, can only use the makeshift library in her church, and Gabe begins to notice the large number of signs everywhere saying Whites Only, and the way white people refer to African American adult men as "boy" or "uncle" and women as "auntie," including his friend Patrick.
But a mystery surrounds just how Meriwether learned his excellent mechanical skills fixing cars, and why he refuses to answer when asked about it. When Gabe returns from Charleston after attending a July 4th parade honoring local servicemen who fought in WWII, including Gabe's Uncle Earl who was at the Battle of the Bulge, Meriwether's truth comes out. He, too, had fought in WWII as part of the all-black 761st Tank Battalion a/k/a the Black Panthers, had also been at the Battle of the Bulge, and had proven himself as a great mechanic throughout his service. Gabe learns not only are there no parades for African American veterans who served honorably in the war, in the south, they are also being advised not to let people know about their service so as not to bring harm to themselves or their family.
Everything comes to a head when a mysterious package shows up on Meriwether's doorstep putting the family in grave danger.
As I started reading, I thought it was interesting that Brenda Woods wrote this from a white boy's point of view. But as I kept reading, I realized that this story couldn't be told any other way. By looking at the injustice and inequality that African American were subjected to in the Jim Crow south through Gabe's awakening eyes, Woods was able to create a richly layered story.
Despite growing up in a home where he was taught to "treat all folks, regardless of color, with courtesy and respect. And be as good a person as you can be" (pg 50), Gabe's friendship with Meriwether that summer of 1946 is a real coming of age summer where the truth of injustice and inequality becomes an undeniable reality to him.
And through Gabe, Meriwether's story becomes all the more poignant and, for the reader, all the more informative. For example, the fact that Uncle Earl participates in a big parade celebrating the white veterans makes the lack of a parade for black veterans that much more painful for Meriwether. It really highlights how during the war American lives were in the same danger as the white soldiers, that they were fighting every bit as hard as them and that many fell in action as well, and yet they received not honors when they returned home accorded white soldiers, only threats to their lives.
Meriwether Hunter's story really shows how the war may have ended for the world, but another fight, the fight for justice and equality, continued for African American veterans.
Woods has written a novel that is both serious and often amusing, especially when Gabe gets together with his camera toting, slang using cousin Tink. And to underscore his coming of age, his crushes on a local girl and on Tink's liberal neighbor from NYC. I loved Meriwether's daughter Abigail, who was not afraid to speak her mind and I know in my heart of hearts that if these were real people, the future Gabe and Abigail would be out there in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement fighting for change.
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was purchased for my personal library
That someone is Meriwether Hunter, a black man looking for work. Gabe, so grateful to him not just for saving his life, but for fixing his mangled bike on the spot, convinces his father, owner of a garage that is listed in The Negro Motorist Green Book, to give Meriwether a job fixing cars. It seems Meriwether is a genius at fixing things. The only problem is that the other mechanic, Lucas Shaw, really doesn't like black people and rumor has it that he either belongs to the Ku Klux Klan or at least has friends who belong.
Gabe's mother has always thought of Birdsong as a "peaceful, pretty place" but that's because the Haberlins are white. For the black people living on "The Other Side," Birdsong is a segregated, potentially dangerous place, as Gabe discovers when he befriends Meriwether. And as they spend more time together, Gabe begins to look around him and see just how life really is for those living on The Other Side: his school so much better than the school the black children go to, he has access to the public library, while Meriwether's daughter Abigail, an avid reader at 10, can only use the makeshift library in her church, and Gabe begins to notice the large number of signs everywhere saying Whites Only, and the way white people refer to African American adult men as "boy" or "uncle" and women as "auntie," including his friend Patrick.
But a mystery surrounds just how Meriwether learned his excellent mechanical skills fixing cars, and why he refuses to answer when asked about it. When Gabe returns from Charleston after attending a July 4th parade honoring local servicemen who fought in WWII, including Gabe's Uncle Earl who was at the Battle of the Bulge, Meriwether's truth comes out. He, too, had fought in WWII as part of the all-black 761st Tank Battalion a/k/a the Black Panthers, had also been at the Battle of the Bulge, and had proven himself as a great mechanic throughout his service. Gabe learns not only are there no parades for African American veterans who served honorably in the war, in the south, they are also being advised not to let people know about their service so as not to bring harm to themselves or their family.
Everything comes to a head when a mysterious package shows up on Meriwether's doorstep putting the family in grave danger.
As I started reading, I thought it was interesting that Brenda Woods wrote this from a white boy's point of view. But as I kept reading, I realized that this story couldn't be told any other way. By looking at the injustice and inequality that African American were subjected to in the Jim Crow south through Gabe's awakening eyes, Woods was able to create a richly layered story.
Despite growing up in a home where he was taught to "treat all folks, regardless of color, with courtesy and respect. And be as good a person as you can be" (pg 50), Gabe's friendship with Meriwether that summer of 1946 is a real coming of age summer where the truth of injustice and inequality becomes an undeniable reality to him.
And through Gabe, Meriwether's story becomes all the more poignant and, for the reader, all the more informative. For example, the fact that Uncle Earl participates in a big parade celebrating the white veterans makes the lack of a parade for black veterans that much more painful for Meriwether. It really highlights how during the war American lives were in the same danger as the white soldiers, that they were fighting every bit as hard as them and that many fell in action as well, and yet they received not honors when they returned home accorded white soldiers, only threats to their lives.
Meriwether Hunter's story really shows how the war may have ended for the world, but another fight, the fight for justice and equality, continued for African American veterans.
Woods has written a novel that is both serious and often amusing, especially when Gabe gets together with his camera toting, slang using cousin Tink. And to underscore his coming of age, his crushes on a local girl and on Tink's liberal neighbor from NYC. I loved Meriwether's daughter Abigail, who was not afraid to speak her mind and I know in my heart of hearts that if these were real people, the future Gabe and Abigail would be out there in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement fighting for change.
This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was purchased for my personal library
January 8, 2019
"Whenever possible, you gotta try to see the goings-on of life through more eyes than just your own, because that can help you see things more clearly. Sometimes it'll even let you see things the way they really are and give you peace of mind." Meriweather Hunter (quoted from uncorrected Advance Reader Copy)
Set against the backdrop of the Jim Crowe South, this historical fiction novel couldn't be more timely for middle grade readers. The unexpected friendship that develops between Gabriel and Meriweather is the heart of this story. I see lots of opportunity for conversation about civil rights, acceptance, and integrity that align themselves with today's current events.
I did have two issues as an adult reader that I think would have made the story even stronger and are important to notice as we strive to curate more inclusive book collections for middle grade readers. One would have been telling the story from Abigail's perspective would have given more depth and fill a definite void I'm seeing in middle grade novels set during this time period. Also, giving a clue to the "heart condition" earlier in the storyline would have made an event toward the end more believable.
Set against the backdrop of the Jim Crowe South, this historical fiction novel couldn't be more timely for middle grade readers. The unexpected friendship that develops between Gabriel and Meriweather is the heart of this story. I see lots of opportunity for conversation about civil rights, acceptance, and integrity that align themselves with today's current events.
I did have two issues as an adult reader that I think would have made the story even stronger and are important to notice as we strive to curate more inclusive book collections for middle grade readers. One would have been telling the story from Abigail's perspective would have given more depth and fill a definite void I'm seeing in middle grade novels set during this time period. Also, giving a clue to the "heart condition" earlier in the storyline would have made an event toward the end more believable.
October 2, 2018
This had the potential to be great, but the best language in the book was found in the first two pages, and it went downhill from there. Very simplistic writing with characters who over-explained everything in cheesy overly-Southern dialogue. "You can't just make your characters say how they feel! That makes me feel angry!" And it did make me feel angry, or exasperated on behalf of middle-years readers who don't need to be talked down to. "Wolf Hollow" is a shining example of a book that deals in hard truths without ever pandering to its audience, and "The Unsung Hero" could have learned something from it.
Read
April 1, 2021The cover is priceless and speaks beautifully of the story within. An unemployed WW II vet risks his own life to save a twelve-year-old boy from getting hit by a car. In the voice of this young man we view the town of Birdsong, South Carolina circa 1946. We learn the harsh realities of the Jim Crow South through his eyes and hear his voice. As Meriweather becomes a friend, we learn the value of seeing the world through more than one set of eyes.
This title is on the Mark Twain Nominee List for 2021-22.
Highly recommended! *Reviewed by Darla from Red Bridge*
This title is on the Mark Twain Nominee List for 2021-22.
Highly recommended! *Reviewed by Darla from Red Bridge*
August 3, 2021
Middle Grade (4-8)
Sunshine State nominated book 2021-22
Audiobook - Library Copy
This was a quick read with interesting characters. I enjoyed it.
Sunshine State nominated book 2021-22
Audiobook - Library Copy
This was a quick read with interesting characters. I enjoyed it.
February 24, 2019
This was a wonderful, MG book about life in the South after WWII. As with all historical fiction, it brought to light a hard truth in our past and it showcased it in a completely relatable way for kids to read about and understand. I had very little knowledge of this issue (the hardships black soldiers faced coming home from serving in WWII) and this book brought it to my attention. While the subject matter is important and deep, this book is a great example of how you can introduce those topics to younger readers (grades 5-8) and give them a starting point with the issues. Highly recommend.
October 9, 2019
Great book for young people to see what African Americans went through during segregation and also how they were treated when they came home from the war. Young Gabriel learns a lot from the black man that saved his life and ended up becoming his friend.
August 1, 2019
Gabriel gets a new bike for his 12th birthday. He takes it out for a ride and is almost hit by a car. He is pushed to saftey by Meriwether Hunter, a back man who can fix anything! Gabriel is so grateful to Meriwether for saving his life and fixing his bicycle that he is able to get him a job at his father's garage. This does not sit well with Lucas Shaw, the other mechanic at the garage. Lucas is racist and a suspected member of the KKK.
Gabriel and Meriwether become friends. Gabriel soon learns that Meriwether was a soldier who drove a tank in the Army's all-Black 761st Tank Battalion in WWII. His uncle, also a returning war hero is honored with a parade, but there is no mention of Meriwether or any of the other balck men who fought so bravely in the war. Meriwether tells Gabriel that his part in the war must remain a secret because the white people do not like that the black soldiers were their equals in the war. Meriwether eventually leaves town after his daughter's life is threatened by Lucas.
This book takes place in Birdsong, South Carolina in 1946. Jim Crow laws are still in effect and the threat of the KKK is very real. Mr. Merriwether Hunter, a black man who is WWII war hero, finds this even harded to live with since reurning from the freedom he experienced in Europe. It was upsetting to read about what life was like for blacks in the south after they sacrificed themselves for the war, just like white people did. This was a great story and I think kids will learn a lot from reading it.
Gabriel and Meriwether become friends. Gabriel soon learns that Meriwether was a soldier who drove a tank in the Army's all-Black 761st Tank Battalion in WWII. His uncle, also a returning war hero is honored with a parade, but there is no mention of Meriwether or any of the other balck men who fought so bravely in the war. Meriwether tells Gabriel that his part in the war must remain a secret because the white people do not like that the black soldiers were their equals in the war. Meriwether eventually leaves town after his daughter's life is threatened by Lucas.
This book takes place in Birdsong, South Carolina in 1946. Jim Crow laws are still in effect and the threat of the KKK is very real. Mr. Merriwether Hunter, a black man who is WWII war hero, finds this even harded to live with since reurning from the freedom he experienced in Europe. It was upsetting to read about what life was like for blacks in the south after they sacrificed themselves for the war, just like white people did. This was a great story and I think kids will learn a lot from reading it.
March 14, 2021
Read aloud to the kids for school. We really enjoyed this historical fiction set in South Carolina after WWII. A shorter read (under 200 pages) full of characters with lots of heart. The book covered issues of Jim Crow laws and did a really good job of helping kids imagine what it felt like to see “colored” or “whites” signs, the alienation of that, especially for African Americans who had served in the military. The book was a little too neat and tidy at times, but a good lead into March, which we are reading next about the start of the Civil Rights Movement.
This book introduced us to the 761st tank division, but we were really disappointed to find that there are no kids books written about this group of Black soldiers who served heroically at the Battle of the Bulge. I will keep digging to see if we can find mentions in more general WWII books.
This book introduced us to the 761st tank division, but we were really disappointed to find that there are no kids books written about this group of Black soldiers who served heroically at the Battle of the Bulge. I will keep digging to see if we can find mentions in more general WWII books.
February 11, 2019
Richie’s Picks: THE UNSUNG HERO OF BIRDSONG, USA by Brenda Woods, Nancy Paulsen Books, January 2019, 208p., ISBN: 978-1-5247-3709-2
“You also had some very fine people on both sides.”
--Donald Trump, August 15, 2017
“Makes me wanna holler
The way they do my life”
-- Marvin Gaye “Inner City Blues” (1967)
“Ahead, the railroad tracks and small grocery store right beside them let me know that we were about to cross into what most folks around Birdsong refer to as The Other Side.
I come here now and then with Mama when she drops off a lady named Mrs. Masters, who helps her with spring cleaning and serves when we have Christmas parties. Mostly colored people live here, and that includes, according to Mrs. Masters, five families of Gullah-Geechees who somehow made their way here from the Carolina Sea Islands and speak their own language.
Patrick and I strolled through The Other Side and passed a Baptist church and the colored school, which is actually just a small house. Once, just a couple of weeks earlier, when I had to bring five dollars to Mrs. Masters that Mama owed her, curiosity kept poking at me until it finally forced me to peek through the windows. A single room with a blackboard and a few rows of desks was all I saw. Right then, I’d wondered why my school has so many classrooms plus a library and a playground and a cafeteria too, when all the colored kids have is this one room. And that night after supper, I’d asked Mama and Daddy about it.
‘Things are not always fair to colored folks,’ Daddy had told me.
‘Why?’
Daddy let out a loud sigh. ‘Well, Gabriel. You’ll learn some people just feel the need to think that they are better than other folks strictly because of the color of their skin. But I say this: treat all folks, regardless of color, with courtesy and respect. And be as good a person as you can be. Simple as that.’ Then he’d buried his face in the newspaper.”
In the summer of 1946, in a small town outside of Charleston, South Carolina, twelve year-old Gabriel Haberlin doesn’t need to look any further than his dad’s combination gas station-auto repair shop-auto sales lot for a prime example of someone needing to think they’re better than other folks strictly because of the color of their skin. Lucas Shaw is an expert mechanic but a thoroughly despicable human being with reputed Klan ties.
This becomes an issue for Gabriel after Meriwether Hunter, an African American mechanic who’s out of work, saves Gabriel’s life. In thanks, Gabriel persuades his father to give Mr. Hunter a job. A white businessman giving a black person a quality job in that time and place might seem a bit far-fetched, but Gabriel’s parents met while attending Oberlin College in Ohio, so we can understand how their views might be well out of sync with 1940s South Carolina.
Lucas Shaw makes his feelings about Meriwether visibly clear from the beginning. Gabriel’s dad wisely sets the schedule so that Meriwether doesn’t start work until three in the afternoon, which is Lucas’s quitting time. But there’s still occasional overlap, and Lucas is nursing so many grudges and so much prejudice that we expect him to explode at any moment.
What makes Meriwether Hunter the unsung hero of the book’s title is that he keeps it under wraps that he served bravely in a segregated Black tank unit in WWII. That was when he became such a crackerjack mechanic. But, as we learn, black war heroes didn’t get the public acclaim that white war heroes did. Instead, they were often targeted by racists.
Meriwether’s service in the war is one of several contrasts between him and Lucas, who was repeatedly rejected by the military. Lucas’s wife has left him; Meriwether has a happy marriage and a sharp ten year-old daughter. Lucas is slovenly, smelly, and unfriendly; Meriwether is meticulous and personable. Meriwether teaches Gabriel that friendship isn’t limited to one’s own age group. It has to do with liking, trust, and respect.
Since this is the Deep South in the 1940s, we expect something awful to happen to Meriwether Hunter. Even young Gabriel fears this from the start. We wonder whether he be able to help save his new friend from whatever may befall him.
Step back and think about this. Meriwether Hunter is a war hero who was in action at the Battle of the Bulge. But when he returns Stateside after the war. the racist culture leaves him so powerless to do anything himself, and so unable to gain assistance from local law enforcement, that we are hoping some little white kid can save the day. That’s how treacherous the Deep South was for blacks. That’s why you had millions of blacks migrating north. (Not that the North was really all that much better.)
Given Gabriel’s vantage point, the story provides a powerful look at racism. THE UNSUNG HERO OF BIRDSONG also provides a needed history lesson about black war heroes who have served their country with pride and courage despite the country repeatedly and thoroughly failing them.
P.S. Having recently enjoyed seeing The Green Book movie, it’s fun to see the Green Book referred to here. (Gabriel’s dad’s business is listed in it.)
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
“You also had some very fine people on both sides.”
--Donald Trump, August 15, 2017
“Makes me wanna holler
The way they do my life”
-- Marvin Gaye “Inner City Blues” (1967)
“Ahead, the railroad tracks and small grocery store right beside them let me know that we were about to cross into what most folks around Birdsong refer to as The Other Side.
I come here now and then with Mama when she drops off a lady named Mrs. Masters, who helps her with spring cleaning and serves when we have Christmas parties. Mostly colored people live here, and that includes, according to Mrs. Masters, five families of Gullah-Geechees who somehow made their way here from the Carolina Sea Islands and speak their own language.
Patrick and I strolled through The Other Side and passed a Baptist church and the colored school, which is actually just a small house. Once, just a couple of weeks earlier, when I had to bring five dollars to Mrs. Masters that Mama owed her, curiosity kept poking at me until it finally forced me to peek through the windows. A single room with a blackboard and a few rows of desks was all I saw. Right then, I’d wondered why my school has so many classrooms plus a library and a playground and a cafeteria too, when all the colored kids have is this one room. And that night after supper, I’d asked Mama and Daddy about it.
‘Things are not always fair to colored folks,’ Daddy had told me.
‘Why?’
Daddy let out a loud sigh. ‘Well, Gabriel. You’ll learn some people just feel the need to think that they are better than other folks strictly because of the color of their skin. But I say this: treat all folks, regardless of color, with courtesy and respect. And be as good a person as you can be. Simple as that.’ Then he’d buried his face in the newspaper.”
In the summer of 1946, in a small town outside of Charleston, South Carolina, twelve year-old Gabriel Haberlin doesn’t need to look any further than his dad’s combination gas station-auto repair shop-auto sales lot for a prime example of someone needing to think they’re better than other folks strictly because of the color of their skin. Lucas Shaw is an expert mechanic but a thoroughly despicable human being with reputed Klan ties.
This becomes an issue for Gabriel after Meriwether Hunter, an African American mechanic who’s out of work, saves Gabriel’s life. In thanks, Gabriel persuades his father to give Mr. Hunter a job. A white businessman giving a black person a quality job in that time and place might seem a bit far-fetched, but Gabriel’s parents met while attending Oberlin College in Ohio, so we can understand how their views might be well out of sync with 1940s South Carolina.
Lucas Shaw makes his feelings about Meriwether visibly clear from the beginning. Gabriel’s dad wisely sets the schedule so that Meriwether doesn’t start work until three in the afternoon, which is Lucas’s quitting time. But there’s still occasional overlap, and Lucas is nursing so many grudges and so much prejudice that we expect him to explode at any moment.
What makes Meriwether Hunter the unsung hero of the book’s title is that he keeps it under wraps that he served bravely in a segregated Black tank unit in WWII. That was when he became such a crackerjack mechanic. But, as we learn, black war heroes didn’t get the public acclaim that white war heroes did. Instead, they were often targeted by racists.
Meriwether’s service in the war is one of several contrasts between him and Lucas, who was repeatedly rejected by the military. Lucas’s wife has left him; Meriwether has a happy marriage and a sharp ten year-old daughter. Lucas is slovenly, smelly, and unfriendly; Meriwether is meticulous and personable. Meriwether teaches Gabriel that friendship isn’t limited to one’s own age group. It has to do with liking, trust, and respect.
Since this is the Deep South in the 1940s, we expect something awful to happen to Meriwether Hunter. Even young Gabriel fears this from the start. We wonder whether he be able to help save his new friend from whatever may befall him.
Step back and think about this. Meriwether Hunter is a war hero who was in action at the Battle of the Bulge. But when he returns Stateside after the war. the racist culture leaves him so powerless to do anything himself, and so unable to gain assistance from local law enforcement, that we are hoping some little white kid can save the day. That’s how treacherous the Deep South was for blacks. That’s why you had millions of blacks migrating north. (Not that the North was really all that much better.)
Given Gabriel’s vantage point, the story provides a powerful look at racism. THE UNSUNG HERO OF BIRDSONG also provides a needed history lesson about black war heroes who have served their country with pride and courage despite the country repeatedly and thoroughly failing them.
P.S. Having recently enjoyed seeing The Green Book movie, it’s fun to see the Green Book referred to here. (Gabriel’s dad’s business is listed in it.)
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
July 22, 2020
I usually don't read middle-grade books, but this was definitely a good one.
It covered topics such as the Second World War, the KKK, Jim Crow laws, and racism as a whole. It's a good book to give to children to teach them that people shouldn't be treated differently based on the colour of their skin. It's what's on the inside that counts.
The plot felt a little rushed, but it's a book for middle schoolers, so of course, it can't be that long.
I rated this four stars because middle-grade books aren't really for me, however, this was a really good one and I liked it a lot. If I ever decide to have children, I will be giving them this book to read as one of the first books they will ever pick up when they reach this level of reading.
It covered topics such as the Second World War, the KKK, Jim Crow laws, and racism as a whole. It's a good book to give to children to teach them that people shouldn't be treated differently based on the colour of their skin. It's what's on the inside that counts.
The plot felt a little rushed, but it's a book for middle schoolers, so of course, it can't be that long.
I rated this four stars because middle-grade books aren't really for me, however, this was a really good one and I liked it a lot. If I ever decide to have children, I will be giving them this book to read as one of the first books they will ever pick up when they reach this level of reading.
March 17, 2023
This book is written in the vein of Homer Price. Although it tackles tough issues of racism, prejudice, and hatred in the Jim Crow South, it does so in a way is manageable for middle grade readers. This book was a wholesome and worthwhile read.
January 3, 2019
Just read the first paragraph of this book, you won’t want to stop until every last word is written.
A book that shows change can begin with our young readers. It’s not too early to start asking questions.
And friendship. This book is about a really great friendship.
A book that shows change can begin with our young readers. It’s not too early to start asking questions.
And friendship. This book is about a really great friendship.
March 22, 2019
Recommended by Mary Lou. Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore...
April 14, 2019
Wonderful book about race relations in post-WWII in Birdsong, SC. Loved every page! Great middle grade book.
May 27, 2020
I did not Like the ending, But overall it was ok. It had a good story to it.
December 30, 2023
2.5 rated down.
“The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA” is a book about a young white boy who survived a near-death incident thanks to the quick movements of a black man looking for a job. Grateful, the boy, Gabriel, offers the man a job at his father’s auto shop. The man accepts, and through visits to the shop, the man, Meriwether, shares his story as a black man who served during WWII. As the story progresses, Gabriel’s eyes are opened more to the hardships of black people during that time, and learns kindness and caring through the unsung hero of Birdsong.
While this was a heartwarming story, there were a few issues that made the rating so low for a book with such potential.
1. Character development
Gabriel, the main character, has no real personality. All I know is that he has a crush on Rosie Riley (who comes out only two or three times!) and that he is a nice guy. The characters with real personalities were Abigail and Meriwether. Character development just…no. There was not enough…well, character in the characters for me to like them.
2. Climax/Plot
The intended climax, I think, was either when Meriwether came to Gabriel’s house with news of Abigail’s near-death experience or when Meriwether almost killed Lucas Shaw. However, each of these fit into one short chapter (5 pages + 5 pages) and I didn’t feel any tension or nervousness of “is he going to be ok? how will this end up?” because there was no build-up. Plus, both of these had nothing to do with Gabriel. He didn’t do anything too important; if these climaxes had more action in general or more action through Gabriel’s eyes, this book would feel so much more complete.
3. Speed
This book was honestly a really slow read. I felt like everything interesting and exciting happened far too fast, and the rest of the book was full of slow, not-very-action-packed events. I’m fine with spreading out a book (but not too much…) since it could really help with character development, showing relationships, or simple world-building and building up to the climax. But this book spread it out so much. If the climaxes were made longer, say, two or three chapters instead of one 5 page chapter, it would’ve been such a bigger, more exciting book.
•Overall•
I’m not trying to be mean, or to roast this book until it’s burnt: no. I’m saying that while the plot, the idea, and the lessons in this story are so so good, it was…delivered in a way that was underwhelming. More action or even simple character development would make worlds of a difference.
Overall, it was a good book with a good story, just told in a way that might not have delivered it in the intended “wow this book is so amazing” way. “The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA” could’ve been so much; it honestly had so so much potential and I am really sad and disappointed that I didn’t like it as much as I had hoped when I first picked it up.
“The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA” is a book about a young white boy who survived a near-death incident thanks to the quick movements of a black man looking for a job. Grateful, the boy, Gabriel, offers the man a job at his father’s auto shop. The man accepts, and through visits to the shop, the man, Meriwether, shares his story as a black man who served during WWII. As the story progresses, Gabriel’s eyes are opened more to the hardships of black people during that time, and learns kindness and caring through the unsung hero of Birdsong.
While this was a heartwarming story, there were a few issues that made the rating so low for a book with such potential.
1. Character development
Gabriel, the main character, has no real personality. All I know is that he has a crush on Rosie Riley (who comes out only two or three times!) and that he is a nice guy. The characters with real personalities were Abigail and Meriwether. Character development just…no. There was not enough…well, character in the characters for me to like them.
2. Climax/Plot
The intended climax, I think, was either when Meriwether came to Gabriel’s house with news of Abigail’s near-death experience or when Meriwether almost killed Lucas Shaw. However, each of these fit into one short chapter (5 pages + 5 pages) and I didn’t feel any tension or nervousness of “is he going to be ok? how will this end up?” because there was no build-up. Plus, both of these had nothing to do with Gabriel. He didn’t do anything too important; if these climaxes had more action in general or more action through Gabriel’s eyes, this book would feel so much more complete.
3. Speed
This book was honestly a really slow read. I felt like everything interesting and exciting happened far too fast, and the rest of the book was full of slow, not-very-action-packed events. I’m fine with spreading out a book (but not too much…) since it could really help with character development, showing relationships, or simple world-building and building up to the climax. But this book spread it out so much. If the climaxes were made longer, say, two or three chapters instead of one 5 page chapter, it would’ve been such a bigger, more exciting book.
•Overall•
I’m not trying to be mean, or to roast this book until it’s burnt: no. I’m saying that while the plot, the idea, and the lessons in this story are so so good, it was…delivered in a way that was underwhelming. More action or even simple character development would make worlds of a difference.
Overall, it was a good book with a good story, just told in a way that might not have delivered it in the intended “wow this book is so amazing” way. “The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA” could’ve been so much; it honestly had so so much potential and I am really sad and disappointed that I didn’t like it as much as I had hoped when I first picked it up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2020
FIrst, this is an exciting, heartwarming, and powerful story that will engage readers of many ages. It is a wonder how the post-WWII Jim Crow South was anchored as an integral force within this story, including details that "were not meant for someone so young", and yet unfolded naturally and credibly within the friendship of just-turned-twelve Gabriel and Black WWII veteran Merriweather. The nuance with which these two and each of the supporting characters rose from the story with individuality, voice, and impact while mired in a web of centuries-old racism is an incredible feat of writing. The author fully confronts the realities of racism (in the South as well as in the North), with no hedging about the horror of war or of Jim Crow laws and entrenched racism.
I'm in awe of the skillful weaving of situations and secondary characters through enough plot AND history to both inform and entertain. There is a bittersweetness to the conclusion, providing satisfaction but with no pat answers suggested.
One wise takeaway, though, is the thought implanted in the first pages and proceeding stroke for stroke until the ending: Viewing our world though a single pari of eyes yields a distorted view of our lives and the world around us. The more we can connect and listen to the perspectives of others, the more "eyes" we can access, the richer and more honest our understanding of the world will become.
This, too me, is a bridge from a specific summer in the post-war south to the summer of 2020, including the Black Lives Matter protests, the Covid 19 pandemic and its politicization, and the polarized impact of an upcoming election.
I recommend this book for all middle grade and older, but also for adults. I am reading THE WARMTH OF OTHER SUNS, and recommend that multi-award winning examination of America's twentieth century Great Migration. The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA feels like a fictionalized sidebar drawn that greater documentarian investigation of generational loss and struggle of Black Americans.
I'm in awe of the skillful weaving of situations and secondary characters through enough plot AND history to both inform and entertain. There is a bittersweetness to the conclusion, providing satisfaction but with no pat answers suggested.
One wise takeaway, though, is the thought implanted in the first pages and proceeding stroke for stroke until the ending: Viewing our world though a single pari of eyes yields a distorted view of our lives and the world around us. The more we can connect and listen to the perspectives of others, the more "eyes" we can access, the richer and more honest our understanding of the world will become.
This, too me, is a bridge from a specific summer in the post-war south to the summer of 2020, including the Black Lives Matter protests, the Covid 19 pandemic and its politicization, and the polarized impact of an upcoming election.
I recommend this book for all middle grade and older, but also for adults. I am reading THE WARMTH OF OTHER SUNS, and recommend that multi-award winning examination of America's twentieth century Great Migration. The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA feels like a fictionalized sidebar drawn that greater documentarian investigation of generational loss and struggle of Black Americans.
Read
January 18, 2024""One funny thing about life and all the stuff that happens while you're living it is that mostly you only see it through your own eyes, that is unless you decide to try to see things through the eyes of someone else. Then, you have four eyes, and looking at things with more eyes than just your own lets you see things more clearly-- maybe even see things the way they really are, not just the way you want them to be."" - from the book
This book is written from the perspective of Jake, a kid in South Carolina after WWII. Jake thinks his town is just peachy and wonderful-- it has a movie theater, it has a drugstore with candy, it has a gas station owned by his honorable dad, it's hosting a parade for veterans like his brave uncle, it essentially has all the comforts and amenities a boy could dream of. Then one day, Mr. Hunter Merriweather encounters Jake and saves Jake's life, and Jake learns of a very different experience of his town from someone of African-American descent, and his rose-colored glasses are removed from him.
This book reminds kids of the importance of listening to and appreciating other people's experiences and viewpoints, and the importance of responding with kindness and care for others
This book is written from the perspective of Jake, a kid in South Carolina after WWII. Jake thinks his town is just peachy and wonderful-- it has a movie theater, it has a drugstore with candy, it has a gas station owned by his honorable dad, it's hosting a parade for veterans like his brave uncle, it essentially has all the comforts and amenities a boy could dream of. Then one day, Mr. Hunter Merriweather encounters Jake and saves Jake's life, and Jake learns of a very different experience of his town from someone of African-American descent, and his rose-colored glasses are removed from him.
This book reminds kids of the importance of listening to and appreciating other people's experiences and viewpoints, and the importance of responding with kindness and care for others
July 11, 2020
“Whenever possible, you gotta try to see the goings-on of life through more eyes than your own, because it can help you see things more clearly. Sometimes, it’ll even let you see things the way they really are and give you peace of mind.” This is just one of many highlighter worthy lines in The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA a middle grade novel set in the Jim Crow South. Told through the eyes of Gabriel, a young boy saved from an accident on his 12th birthday by a Black man who happens to be nearby at the exact right moment. This the story of Gabriel learning about injustice and racism in his hometown and also learning about friendship and loyalty. It’s beautifully written, and doesn’t gloss over the hatred in some of the unsavory racist character’s hearts. I devoured it in one sitting and know that Gabrielle and Meriwether will be with me for a long, long time. “The first time you meet someone, it’s the beginning of a brand-new unmapped trail, so there’s no way of knowing if that path is going to be a short one, a long one, or somewhere in between, or maybe bone that takes you in a circle and therefore never ends. Not much time had passed since the day I’d met Meriwether, but because he was so interesting and kind, I didn’t want our friendship to be over yet.” didn’t want it to be over when I turned the last page either.
October 13, 2022
Why I chose this book: This book is on my library's Battle of the Books list.
Brief summary: Gabriel gets into an accident on his new bicycle and is rescued by a Black man, Meriwether, who Gabriel then forms a frienship with. The book is set in the 1940s in the south and Gabriel learns a lot about how Black people are treated.
What I didn't like about this book: The book is written largely in dialogue. There's not a lot of description or exposition. There were a few chapters in the middle where Gabriel meets his uncle, who is a war veteran, that completely lost my attention because they didn't really relate back to the main thread. Meriwether is also a veteran, so I guess the point is to show the difference between the reception of veterans who are Black or White, but these chapters feel dropped into the book rather than woven in.
What I like about this book: I like that this book shows a young reader this part of our nation's history through a narrative.
Brief summary: Gabriel gets into an accident on his new bicycle and is rescued by a Black man, Meriwether, who Gabriel then forms a frienship with. The book is set in the 1940s in the south and Gabriel learns a lot about how Black people are treated.
What I didn't like about this book: The book is written largely in dialogue. There's not a lot of description or exposition. There were a few chapters in the middle where Gabriel meets his uncle, who is a war veteran, that completely lost my attention because they didn't really relate back to the main thread. Meriwether is also a veteran, so I guess the point is to show the difference between the reception of veterans who are Black or White, but these chapters feel dropped into the book rather than woven in.
What I like about this book: I like that this book shows a young reader this part of our nation's history through a narrative.
May 18, 2021
A white boy gets a job for a black man in 1946 as a mechanic at his dad's shop. This book is good example of a white savior complex and white privilege. (The Dad gives him a car if he can get it to run.) The African American is named Merriweather which seems insensitive. While the storyline of revealing the mistreatment of African Americans' that served in the military during WWII had some interesting parts, it was too few and far between, not to mention plot conveniences. I really struggled with this one in light of today's civil rights and efforts to be aware of white narratives that don't reflect our diversity. Instead, try "Root Magic" by Eden Royce.
July 4, 2021
I wanted to like this one. The description on the back showed great potential. However, I thought it really fell flat. Middle grade readers don’t need things over-explained, as this book did throughout; it made the main character seem extremely immature. The novel addressed an important topic, and could have been written in a much more sophisticated, realistic, and suspenseful way. I try to read all the Mark Twain nominees each year, and this was my least favorite to date.
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