A Yellow Watermelon

Ted and Poudlum #1

by Ted M. Dunagan

In rural south Alabama in 1948, whites picked on one side of the cotton field and blacks on the other. In A Yellow Watermelon, twelve-year-old Ted meets Poudlum, a black boy his own age, where the fields meet. Poudlum teaches Ted how to endure the hard work while they bond and go on to integrate the field. Ted learns of evil forces gathering to deprive Poudlum's family of their property. The two boys encounter danger and suspense while saving Poudlum's family and discovering a great secret of enlightenment.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Cultural

240 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

Ted M. Dunagan was born in 1943 in rural southwestern Alabama. He attended Georgia State University, and served for three years in the Army as a member of the 101st Airborne Division and Special Forces Training Group. Dunagan is now retired after a career in the cosmetics and fragrance industry. He writes features and columns for The Monticello News in Monticello, Georgia, where he lives with his wife.

Dunagan is a two-time Georgia Author of the Year Award winner in the young adult category: in 2009 for his debut novel, A Yellow Watermelon, and in 2011 for Secret of the Satilfa. A Yellow Watermelon also earned a spot on the inaugural 25 Books Every Young Georgian Should Read list compiled by the Georgia Center for the Book.

Reviews

[Rebecca Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taking place in rural south Alabama in 1948, this book tells the story of twelve-year-old white boy Ted Dillon who meets Poudlum, a black boy his own age. In a place where whites pick on one side of the cotton field and blacks on the other, these boys form a friendship and go on to integrate the field. Through his friendship with both Poudlum and Jake, an older black escaped convict, Ted begins to fight against the segregation that exists in his town.
This book is rich in history and told in beautiful prose. The story is engaging, drawing the reader in and reminding them of the terrible treatment of blacks in the South prior to the Civil Rights movement, but doing so in a way that it’s not didactic. It’s recommended for nine- to twelve-year-olds, and as that is the age of the two main characters this seems appropriate. The action and suspense of the storyline will draw in the boys of this age, and the history and story of friendship will get the girls.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yellow Watermelon is wonderful! A humorous story of two boys (one white, one black) who become friends in post WWII Alabama. Both boys are confused at the hostility towards their relationship, but figure out ways to work through it. During the summer, the boys upset a bootlegging operation, help an escaped convict get away from a crooked sheriff and devise ways to further their friendship.

[Ally Allowinter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young Ted, through his new friendship with Jack and Poudlum, learns first hand what discrimination means when his new friends are targeted. I think the simplistic language will make it easier for younger readers to understand some of the nuances of this problem. Like the two timing ways of the preacher saying one thing on the pulpit and doing the opposite. Like the rich man never giving anyone a break. Even Ted's father gets rolled into doing something that he doesn't want to do, is affected by his peers even though he doesn't feel right doing it. It shows how fear can be either the reason nobody helps, or it can be the catalyst for change.
I like the bravery that the two young boys show.

Some of the people that gave this fewer stars, probably expected something more "historical" but this is more like an episode from a TV show. Think the old after school specials. There's a problem and two young boys from opposite sides, work together to fix it. And the message about helping others, no matter what color they are, is a good one.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jan and Jerry let me borrow this book. It is set in southern Alabama in 1948. Ted, a white boy, and Poudlum, a black boy, become friends. They help a kind, black escaped convict, who taught them many important lessons on life. They help in the arrest of a mean, crooked bootlegger, and they manage to help their families with money from the still. I loved this story of justice in a time of injustice, kindness in a time of hatefulness, and friendship between boys who really weren't allowed to be friends. I plan to read his three other books as well.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book purchased on my "Reading Across Alabama" road trip. Started with a winner! Also bought another by this author. This was a great 1948 coming of age story of two Alabama 11 year olds. One white and one black. Both wondering why they can't pick cotton, climb trees and have an ice cream cone together in their little town. A heartwarming, feel good story coming out of the state that also infamously gave us George Wallace and Jeff Sessions. Can't wait for the next installment.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, this is a youth book. It has likable characters, a plot that holds the reader's interest and a good message. Frankly, I enjoyed it more than a lot of the adult fiction I've read lately. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel, Secret of the Satilfa. I give it four stars.

[Jean Becker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too obvious for my taste. I enjoyed the “Southernisms” and could feel the author’s restraint to not include ALL of them.
The N Word is almost required to tell this story but appeared too frequently.

[Hannah H. · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I believe this book has a great overall message, I just could not get into it. While I was reading my mind would often wander off to other things or I would be wondering how many pages I had left before the book was over. This book did not keep my attention and I struggled to remain interested. Sadly, I did not connect with this book at all.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT read! Not just because I live close to the place it is set in, but because its a good story about growing up in the south. A white boy becomes friends with a black boy in a time when it wasn't the thing to do. Set in the late 1940s they havea few really good adventures. A quick easy read. Would be great for older kids!

[Quill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a touching story about the power of friendship to overcome prejudice in the pre-'60s South. Drunk preachers, moonshine-running bigots and a host of other troubles are overcome by a Huck Finn-like boy who takes community action to a personal level. Loved this sweet, summer tale. Just right for grades 5-8.

[Suzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book with good intentions, but way oversimplifies life in the Jim Crow south. Particularly didn't like that the prejudice boiled down to 2 "mean men" , and the author never once implicated the entire system that allowed such prejudice to flourish.

[David Wilson Atwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Wonderful characters and plot. Good resolution. An excellant coming of age book where racism in the south was a way of life. Two young boys, one white, one black, who discover that the color of the watermelon doesn't affect the sweetness.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

good and about slavery

[Sheila R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of friendship and life in the south! Loved it!

[Aleph Bet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up at The Augusta Literary Arts Festival and I am really enjoying reading it to my 8 year old. He's not old enough to get all of it but I think its just great.

[Wendy Post · Rating 2 out of 5]

To much use of the n word to make a viable part of a school collection. Wonder if the Alabama Camellia Award Committee read it?