Dirt: Identical Twins, Identical Crime, Identical Time

by Teffanie Thompson

Washington would rather be playing basketball in the tournament instead of traveling to East Texas for a family reunion. He hates to read, but takes off on his own with a book to satisfy his parents. Washington travels back to the past where he encounters his ancestor Square and witnesses the brutal punishment of a slave when he is caught reading.When he steps out of the circle of dirt, Washington fears he may never be able to return to the present or see his family again.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction

141 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 23, 2016

About the author

Teffanie Thompson grew up in Killeen, Texas where she spent many years playing with words on Gaynor Drive in Sugar Loaf.

Today she lives in Midland, Texas, without her angelic oldest daughter and creative genius son. Teffanie does reside with her farmer husband, Ginger puppy and brilliant youngest daughter, working in education.

A Master's graduate of Seton Hill University's esteemed Writing Popular Fiction program Teffanie has written several pictureless stories for children, teens, and ballerinas. When not writing, she enjoys working, hula hooping, road tripping, attending concerts and, yes, watching marathon reality television.

She can be contacted at p i c t u r e l e s s books, teffanie@gmail.com, or @teffanie on Twitter.

Reviews

[Venessia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing little book. I had no idea when I picked it up it was more for middle school readers but as an adult in her 30s I absolutely loved this book. Washington Square gets into trouble at school for his reading score and instead of playing basketball for the Summer like normal, he will be in Summer School. In addition to that he is forced to read books that he doesn't want to read and also go to a boring family reunion in Texas. While he was at the family reunion, he actually gets bored enough to read and during a hunger pang he eats some red dirt and ends up being transported back to a time where we were beaten or killed for wanting to even touch a book. This book stressed the importance of reading, gave some powerful visuals of History, and why it is so important for us to TRULY know our History. I think this book would be excellent for young black boys who think they don't like to read and especially if they love basketball. Very relatable and original story with a little bit of paranormal. I will be looking for more of this Author's work in the future.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a boy who hates to read. His parents tell him that he'll work on reading during the summer at the expense of traveling with his basketball team. At a family reunion, he "travels" back to the past and confronts his hatred of reading.

This is a very short novel. It could easily be read by upper elementary children, but they probably won't get some of what is going on.

[Sydney Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. Very original way to help children look back on our horrible history of slavery and encourage progress today. I am not sure what grade this would be good for, that would be up to the adult and the child reading it. I do think an adult should be involved for younger children. I was wondering if I could read it to the second grade call I "adopt" to read to each year, but it's just too heavy for my limited exposure to them. Still, it's definitely got a place.Kudos to the author (and thank you for the book plate!!!)

[Jeida K. Storey · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Dirt” by Teffanie Thompson is a young adult novel about Washington Square, a twelve-year-old boy who loves basketball and hates reading. He and his family attend their family reunion where young Washington travels back to the days of slavery and meets his ancestors who risked their lives by learning to read.
Teffanie takes readers on a wild ride as Washington comes face-to-face with the freedom and empowerment that reading and literacy have afforded his lineage and the African American community as a whole. “Dirt” is not only entertaining; it teaches valuable lessons that resonate long after you’ve read the last page. All brown boys and girls should read this book (or read it together as a family!). As parents, writers, leaders, teachers, and mentors, it is our job to ensure that today’s youth achieves their full potential. Books, words, prose, and literature open up a world that our young people should be exposed to, as young Washington discovers in this novel.
Teffanie uses “Dirt” to perfectly intermingle the love and appreciation for art, literature, history, and lineage that is sure to spark conversations with your little ones.
Get this book for the children in your life and purchase a copy for yourself. “Dirt” encouraged and enriched my soul so imagine how many young people “Dirt” will inspire for years to come.
--Jeida K. Storey, contributing author of The Ex Chronicles

[Trudy Zufelt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Washington can think of no better way of spending his summer vacation than at a basketball tournament performing as a star in the sport he loves. When his parents inform him he must give up his spot in the tournament to focus on his reading skills, Washington feels as if his life is ruined. It gets worse when his parents insist he accompany them on a family reunion to East Texas with extended family he barely knows.

While reading under a tree and with the help of red dirt, Washington travels back in time to witness the horrors of slavery through the lives of his predecessors. The cruel treatment a slave receives for merely reading a book shocks Washington. Will his life ever be the same after what he sees and will he recognize literacy is a gift?

Dirt expounds not only on the importance of family but also the importance of education. A must read for the young adult reader who might need to be reminded of the importance of literacy. An inspiration to African American community of what education can accomplish and a sober reminder to others of the dark past we sometimes forget.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review on my blog, Boys To Books

[Tonya Bullock · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter DeYonna read this book; a 7th grader in North Carolina. She also chose this book for a reading assignment and wrote a Conflict/Contrast essay afterwards. This is her review.

"Dirt" was a captivating read. The story line was relatable because I'm a young student and a athlete too. It's about a young boy named Washington. He enjoyed playing basketball but wasn't a big fan of school; he barely passes the sixth grade. His mother implements how important it was to have an education. She made him read two hours daily which became the highlight of the story. Washington was given a book to read during the travel to Texas for their family reunion. While thumbing a few pages he magically took a trip back in time and relived many historical moments and so much more. A recommended book for all ages with many lessons to be learned. Thank you Author for this great book and your effort to reach the younger readers.

[Angela Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read for young adults and adults! Dirt is an excellent book that can absolutely be used as a teaching tool for parents and educators. Dirt captures your attention from the first to the last sentence. You are captured by the characters and find yourself on the journey through the past, present and future as one young man, Washington discovers his family roots and heritage and the power he has through reading. Who knew that sitting under a tree and eating a little red dirt would cause such an adventure. Pick up your copy today and journey with Washington through this eventful journey while attending his family reunion.

[Loureva Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

I thoroughly enjoyed Teffanie Thompson's DIRT! It is a beautifully crafted middle grade short novel that is certain to inspire young African Americans to take advantage of the many opportunities that were denied to our ancestors because of the color of our skin. Indeed, knowledge is power. Knowledge is liberating. And I absolutely love the creative way Thompson illustrates these truths. DIRT is a quick and captivating read--a journey from the present to the past and back--a journey that is definitely worth taking.

[Bobbi Shook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Destined to become a YA classic, Dirt’s entertaining characters and captivating story line make it the perfect classroom novel. Ms. Thompson draws the reader into a realistic view of slavery as seen through the innocent eyes of a 21st century teenage boy, taking us back in time on a journey to solve a mystery of heritage and love. In the end, strength of family prevails and both our young protagonist Washington and the reader are better for having made this journey.

[Shannan Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This is a great story. It might have been short, but very powerful and it had wonderful life lessons. Way to many of our people died for our rights, including our right to read. I normally don't read books for young adults, but the author did such a good job, this book will be enjoyed by everyone who reads it.

[Gale Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

For readers young an avid and reluctant, Dirt inspires and call us all to cherish the power and blessings of reading and the freedoms and privilege granted to us by those who suffered to make this possible. Without question, teachers should obtain this book!

[Lakesa Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Definitely something middle school aged young men can benefit from reading.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

While written as YA, DIRT appeals to adults as well, sharing the touching story of family, legacy, and literacy found in a world that includes a touch of magical realism.

[QUEENIE CLEM]

Dirt – Teffanie Thompson

Washington is a young man that doesn't like to read. He would rather go play basketball then go to an old stupid family reunion. But it's not his choice. Washington travels back in time when slaves were punish for knowing how to read.
This is a great story for a young person who doesn't think education is important but that rapping or playing some sport is going to make him or her famous.
This book puts the importance of reading first and foremost. I want to thank the author for that. This was a story I really enjoyed reading that I am going to let my son read it in a couple of more years. This story had a lot of life lessons that are powerful. The emotional journey I took with the author was phenomenal. I have never read anything by this author but I will definitely will after this read.

This book was provided by the author for an honest read.
Queenie,
Brown Girl Faith Street Team

[Desiree Dorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirt is a fantastic book with fully developed engaging characters that grabs your attention and doesn't let go.

[LaCeasha]

When I picked up this book I had no idea what to expect. This is my first read by this author and it will not be my last. This book tells the story of the importance of reading. Wash loves basketball, but because he's in trouble at school his parents are making him read for the summer rather than play basketball. Wash and his family go to a family reunion and he doesn't want to be there so he wanders off into the woods. While his family searches for him, Was is transported to a time when black people were not allowed to read. Not only does he learn a lesson about reading he learns a few things about his families history. My copy was provided by the author for my honest review.

[LeeTravelGoddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

WONDERFUL short on the past, our learning and having the space to learn as Black Folk. Initially I was like UM, what is this but then I got into it and REALLY got into it!!!

Of course It’s a tops... 💚💚💚 man, let’s continue to teach the generations below us that reading is important!!!

[Mariah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, sweet and to the point narrative that emphasizes why it is so important for young Black children to value reading by connecting it to the sacrifices made by our ancestors.

Two things worth noting:

Late in the book Washington realizes that a girl he's befriended in the past is actually related to him because she marries an ancestor of his. He is grossed out because he was harboring a small crush on her. She asks him to jump the broom with her. He says no and that she's destined for someone else. Then like a minute later, when they are about to enact their plan to help him return to his time, he asks her to come with him to the future. He just recognized that she was his great great grandmother; why would he ask her to runaway with him when if she accepted that could completely rewrite all of history? Why not have him ask before he realizes who she is? That would have served a dual purpose of adding interesting conflict between the characters.

The ending was very odd. Washington wants to go back to slavery to be with Lucy because he feels out of step immediately after returning to present day. The spirit of his grandfather must talk him down from running back. It's really strange that a child who witnessed the horrors of slavery would ever want to return. This could easily be read as a reactive response to his traumatic experiences, however, I am unwilling to be that charitable due to the length of the book. There simply is not enough page time to explore the idea so it's really just me trying to rationalize the irrational.

Also, I know that trauma does not have to stem from multiple incidents or occur over a long stretch of time, but it was hard to believe that a child who had only spent a day and night would have the sort of complex trauma that would create such a response in the first place. It felt like it was there just to allow Washington and his grandfather to spend time spoon feeding the audience the message.

Overall, a solid book that I have no problem recommending. Though, admittedly it would not be my first or second choice.

[Cinthia Cano · Rating 4 out of 5]

¨Dirt¨by Teffanie Thompson is an inspiring novel, is all about to create consciousness of the privileges that nowadays we have, and sometimes we do not appreciate them.
This book captures your interest, it is an easy-read piece that mixed historical facts with fiction.
At first, I thought it would be childish but not at all, the main topic moves my emotions; thus, I could recommend it for all ages.
I like the way the author related so many factors in just one plot. She combined family values, the importance of reading and education, heritage, freedom, and Washington's dreams.
The story is about an African American boy who loves to play basketball but misunderstood the importance of reading.
His parents are worried about his grades.
During a family reunion, he goes back to the past and gets to know his ancestors. In that travel, he experienced slavery and realized how valuable it was to read.

[Mary Boland-Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about the importance of our heritage, the history of it, and the sacrifices made to ensure that we have the liberty to enjoy literacy. A well crafted story with a believable young main character, his parents, and his coming to terms with what it took for others to get him what he takes for granted. Lovely story from a dedicated author. Don't miss it, it's not just for the kids.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely story! It was a beautiful way to talk about slavery and how we are all connected generationally through family, blood, and dirt.

[Annalise Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story had two things I love, time travel and basketball. Great read.