A Good Courage

by Stephanie S. Tolan

Having been dragged by his mother from one commune to another as she searches for a place to belong, fourteen-year-old Ty finds conditions at the new place intolerable, even while realizing that for some this way of life is a haven. Reprint.

Genres: Young Adult

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1988

About the author

Stephanie S. Tolan's earliest memories involve books. Those that were read to her and those she read to herself, often late at night with a flashlight under the covers. She always thought there was a special magic in the little black marks on paper that could turn into whole worlds and real people. Born in Ohio and raised in Wisconsin, she wrote her first story in the fourth grade. It was thrilling to discover she could make the magic herself, and she decided then and there to be a writer.

Other ambitions came and went, but writing stayed on, and she majored in creative writing at Purdue University, then went on to a Master's Degree in English. Marriage and the sudden addition to her life of three young stepsons, and then a son, forced writing into the nooks and crannies, but she wrote poetry and plays for adults as she taught college English. In the mid-seventies, Stephanie began working in the Poets-in-the-Schools program in Pennsylvania. Her first group of students were fourth and fifth graders, and she found among them a new generation of intense readers, still using the flashlight-under-the-covers trick.

"They brought back to me that special reading joy that most adults, even the readers among us, have lost, and I wanted to try my hand at writing for those kids, so like myself at their age and yet so different."

The difference, she felt, was less in the children themselves than in the fast-changing world they lived in. Her writing for children and young adults, beginning with Grandpa -- And Me in 1978, has reflected that contemporary world.
Stephanie Tolan is also well known as an advocate for extremely bright children. She co-authored the award-winning nonfiction book, Guiding the Gifted Child, and has written many articles about the challenges gifted "asynchronous" children and adults face as they find a way to fit into their world. She lectures throughout the country to audiences of parents, educators and counselors attempting to find ways to meet the children's needs. Her experiences with these "amazing, off-the-charts" young people inspired the themes of Welcome to the Ark, a powerful novel about four brilliant young misfits in a world teetering on destruction.
Stephanie Tolan currently lives in Charlotte, NC, with her husband.

Reviews

[SraPanadera · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it enough as a kid. Probably wouldn't stand up terribly well to a re-read as an adult.

[Marie Sanders]

I read this in middle school and have been searching for this book ever since. Google search after google search, searching in libraries- finally found it. Excited to re read.

[Lisa Rathbun]

I enjoyed this fast-paced story. The made-up cult was very realistic with its charismatic leader, its strict rules and its justifications for them, and the innocuous face it presented to the world. Ty has a strong relationship with his troubled but loving mother, and it is sad to see her switch her love for him to submission to the cult's rules.



Ty wonders if there is a god, and if there is one, which one. Eventually seeking escape from the believers in Yahweh (the cult), he seeks out a former friend whose god is a vague force in nature. At least, Ty realizes that such a god offers no help and no comfort from fear.



It was troubling to see children on their own, neglected by their parents "for the good of their souls." Sensitive readers will be bothered by the plight of little Noah.



It was a little annoying that the cult used Old Testament terminology, but most cults do this, so I can't fault the author for that. Still though, I'd hate to have readers have negative associations with the name "Yahweh" which is the name of the true God. I also wish the ending had continued just a little longer.



I definitely think this book could be a springboard into a discussion of cults, how they twist the Scriptures and what their appeal is.



*Spoilers* Ideas for discussion: Do a character study comparing Benjamin and Jeremiah. What is the significance of names and why does the cult rename its members? Do you believe Benjamin when he says the cult was once a great place to live? Do you think he can return it to this utopia? Have humans ever created utopia? What happens to Sam and Ty after Polaris reaches them? Does Ty ever see his mother again? How does the leader twist the Bible for his own purposes? How would your biblical beliefs have helped you realize that the cult's teachings were wrong? Why do people get pulled into a cult? How were the cult members controlled and manipulated? How does the Bible view children?

[Jenni Frencham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ty's mom was always looking for love and happiness. She had moved their two-member family to communes and groups all over the place. Ty was used to the routine. Mom would find a new emotional/philosophical "fix" but would soon see reason, and once again they would be on the road. But what if Mom decided not to leave?

Mom and Ty join the Kingdom, a small cult-like group that renames people as they enter and separates parents from their children. While Ty's mom is worshipping and studying with the other adult women, Ty is left to work with the children. Children who disobey are chained to a tree for the night or are denied food for a day. Ty has decided that this is dangerous and abusive, and he is determined to leave. But his mom is still in love with Kingdom life. How will he be able to escape?

It's been a long time since I've been genuinely surprised by a book, but the twist of this plot threw me for a loop. I enjoyed this story as much as I've enjoyed other stories of kids escaping strict religious societies, but I was pleasantly surprised by the changes at the end of the story

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tie-Dye Rainey, or Ty, has been dragged from one commune to another his whole life. Now they are members of the Kingdom of Yahweh. Children are used as servants and they labor without days off, with limited food, and sickness is a sign of the devil. Ty's mother doesn't seem to care about the intolerable situation, so he must escape with the help of Sam, a new friend.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this book back in 6th grade, 7th grade, and 8th grade. its so good. i keep going back to read it.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great fastpaced read for a reluctant teen/high school reader - hard to find - i had to get through ohiolink

[Natalie Garside · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this years ago and still have a copy on my shelf, the story stayed with me long after I finished it. A truly interesting read.