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When Stars Rain Down
Opal is an eighteen-year-old Black woman working as a housekeeper in a small Southern town in the 1930s—and then the Klan descends. A moving story that confronts America’s tragic past, When Stars Rain Down is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching.
The summer of 1936 in Parsons, Georgia, is unseasonably hot, and Opal Pruitt senses a nameless storm brewing. She hopes this foreboding feeling won’t overshadow her upcoming 18th birthday or the annual Founder’s Day celebration in just a few weeks. She and her Grandma Birdie work as housekeepers for the white widow Miss Peggy, and Opal desperately wants some time to be young and carefree with her cousins and friends.
But when the Ku Klux Klan descends on Opal’s neighborhood, the tight-knit community is shaken in every way possible. Parsons’s residents—both Black and white—are forced to acknowledge the unspoken codes of conduct in their post-Reconstruction era town. To complicate matters, Opal finds herself torn between two unexpected romantic interests—the son of her pastor, Cedric Perkins, and the white grandson of the woman she works for, Jimmy Earl Ketchums.
Faced with love, loss, and a harsh awakening to an ugly world, Opal holds tight to her family and faith—and the hope for change.
“When Stars Rain Down is so powerful, timely, and compelling . . . an important and beautifully written must-read of a novel.” —Silas House, author of Southernmost
2021 Langum Prize in American Historical Fiction – FinalistStand-alone novelIncludes discussion questions for book clubs
The summer of 1936 in Parsons, Georgia, is unseasonably hot, and Opal Pruitt senses a nameless storm brewing. She hopes this foreboding feeling won’t overshadow her upcoming 18th birthday or the annual Founder’s Day celebration in just a few weeks. She and her Grandma Birdie work as housekeepers for the white widow Miss Peggy, and Opal desperately wants some time to be young and carefree with her cousins and friends.
But when the Ku Klux Klan descends on Opal’s neighborhood, the tight-knit community is shaken in every way possible. Parsons’s residents—both Black and white—are forced to acknowledge the unspoken codes of conduct in their post-Reconstruction era town. To complicate matters, Opal finds herself torn between two unexpected romantic interests—the son of her pastor, Cedric Perkins, and the white grandson of the woman she works for, Jimmy Earl Ketchums.
Faced with love, loss, and a harsh awakening to an ugly world, Opal holds tight to her family and faith—and the hope for change.
“When Stars Rain Down is so powerful, timely, and compelling . . . an important and beautifully written must-read of a novel.” —Silas House, author of Southernmost
2021 Langum Prize in American Historical Fiction – FinalistStand-alone novelIncludes discussion questions for book clubs
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 13, 2021
130 people are currently reading
11580 people want to read
About the author
Angela Jackson-Brown
9 books484 followersAngela Jackson-Brown is an award-winning writer, poet and playwright who teaches Creative Writing at Indiana University in Bloomington. She also teaches in the Naslund-Mann School of Writing at Spalding University in Louisville, KY. She is a graduate of Troy University, Auburn University and the Spalding Naslund-Mann low-residency MFA program in Creative Writing. She is the author of several novels, including the soon-to-be released, Homeward, and has published in numerous literary journals. Her publisher is Harper Muse, an imprint of HarperCollins.
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February 4, 2021
Review also published on blog: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Beautiful. Emotional. Expressive. Heart-wrenching.
Opal Pruitt is Seventeen, soon to be Eighteen in the Summer of 1936. On the cusp of adulthood, Opal has never kept company or been the victim of violence, but she’s about to experience both.
Living in a neighborhood called “Colored Town” in Parsons, Georgia, racism, and segregation run rampant. No one is safe from the KKK, not even kind, hard-working, well-respected families who keep to themselves.
Opal and her Granny keep house for Miss Peggy, who treats them like family or close to. The work makes Opal and her granny proud and provides a stable income to boot. For Opal, having the love and support of her granny and the rest of her family is almost enough. The only other thing she wants is to marry a good honest man. Though her granny isn’t quite ready for Opal to do so, she begins keeping company with a young man from Colored Town who has big dreams and a huge heart.
When tragedy strikes, everything is torn asunder. Families, friendships, and relationships are destroyed.
Teardrops fell.
Truth is, big, fat tears, rolled steadily down this girl’s cheeks.
What can I say? My love for “When Stars Rain Down” by Angela Jackson-Brown knows no bounds. The writing, the characters, and the storyline gripped me from the first sentence and didn’t let go till the last. My heart still aches for the characters in this novel and I think it will for a while.
The writing here is lovely, lyrical, and poetic. “When Stars Rain Down” broke my heart and yet, I loved it desperately. It will most assuredly appear on my Goodreads best-of-list for 2021. For me, the character development is the backbone of this story as I adored the characters of Granny and Opal. Though this novel contains a difficult subject matter, it is brilliantly done and I highly recommend this powerhouse of a novel to lovers of character-driven literary fiction and historical fiction.
Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson, and Angela Jackson-Brown for the arc.
Published on Goodreads on 2.1.21.
Beautiful. Emotional. Expressive. Heart-wrenching.
Opal Pruitt is Seventeen, soon to be Eighteen in the Summer of 1936. On the cusp of adulthood, Opal has never kept company or been the victim of violence, but she’s about to experience both.
Living in a neighborhood called “Colored Town” in Parsons, Georgia, racism, and segregation run rampant. No one is safe from the KKK, not even kind, hard-working, well-respected families who keep to themselves.
Opal and her Granny keep house for Miss Peggy, who treats them like family or close to. The work makes Opal and her granny proud and provides a stable income to boot. For Opal, having the love and support of her granny and the rest of her family is almost enough. The only other thing she wants is to marry a good honest man. Though her granny isn’t quite ready for Opal to do so, she begins keeping company with a young man from Colored Town who has big dreams and a huge heart.
When tragedy strikes, everything is torn asunder. Families, friendships, and relationships are destroyed.
Teardrops fell.
Truth is, big, fat tears, rolled steadily down this girl’s cheeks.
What can I say? My love for “When Stars Rain Down” by Angela Jackson-Brown knows no bounds. The writing, the characters, and the storyline gripped me from the first sentence and didn’t let go till the last. My heart still aches for the characters in this novel and I think it will for a while.
The writing here is lovely, lyrical, and poetic. “When Stars Rain Down” broke my heart and yet, I loved it desperately. It will most assuredly appear on my Goodreads best-of-list for 2021. For me, the character development is the backbone of this story as I adored the characters of Granny and Opal. Though this novel contains a difficult subject matter, it is brilliantly done and I highly recommend this powerhouse of a novel to lovers of character-driven literary fiction and historical fiction.
Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson, and Angela Jackson-Brown for the arc.
Published on Goodreads on 2.1.21.
February 19, 2021
It is the unseasonably hot summer of 1936 in Parsons, Georgia as this story begins, but this story felt so timely that it was only when certain phrases were used that I would remember that this was not set in the present time.
Opal is a young woman who is at the age where she is beginning to attract the attention of boys, but young enough that her grandmother, who raised her after her mother left, is wary of the two young men who are paying attention to her. But despite her protective nature, she realizes that her grand-daughter will eventually grow to be a woman, and that time is not all that far off. She also believes that Opal won’t be swayed by the wrong young man, and that Opal’s moral compass will not lead her astray.
This is Opal’s story, but it is also so much more. It is the story of the growth of shadow of the KKK looming over the lives of those people living in places like Opal’s home town, Colored Town. People just trying to live in peace, but whose very existence seemed to threaten others because of the colour of their skin.
This is also the story of young love, jealousy, aspirations and determination, the search for knowledge outside of our own, and the search for a life that feels like that place that Dorothy goes searching for, only to realize it was there all along. Home. Our own personal definition of that place where we turn to for comfort and love and acceptance, surrounded by those who help us through these storms that life brings with it, along with the lessons we never wanted to learn.
’This world we living in is ‘bout ready to explode and send us all into little bitty unrecognizable pieces. The best thing we can all do is to move past moments like this.’
Angela Jackson-Brown’s research brings this place, these people and these years and events to life in this story. I was so completely invested in this story that I had to force myself to set it down when I reached the halfway point, saving the rest for another day. And when I reached the last page, after already shedding many tears, I was sad that it had ended, but not for the ending... I just wanted to hear the story of the rest of Opal’s life, I wasn’t ready to let her go, or Miss Lovenia, or her granny. There is so much love and beauty in this story, despite the horrors wrought by white supremicists. In times when there has been so much demonstration of hate, then and recently, this is a story about love, and love conquering all.
Pub Date: 13 Apr 2021
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Thomas Nelson -- FICTION / Thomas Nelson
#WhenStarsRainDown #NetGalley
October 21, 2021
*Warnings*
#1 This is a long review, so pull up a chair and grab a bowl of popcorn. You’ll be here awhile.
#2 When I read a review, I want substantial information. So I will not skimp on the details. Which may mean some spoilers, so watch out.
Stars: 2.5
Synopsis: Opal Pruitt is on the cusp of womanhood in a small Georgia town in the year 1936. And although her life is fraught with trials, tribulations, new love, and loss, she learns to find hope in the darkness.
Favorite Quotes: “No, we don’t have to fear because we know that as the devil rides the highways and the byways tonight, we’ve got a God that sits high and looks low.”
“[C]hoose wisely. Choose prayerfully. Don’t let your feelings overrule your common sense.”
One part of me liked this book. The other part hated it. One part enjoyed the story. The other part was loath to turn another page (figuratively speaking; I read this on my Kindle). For some reason, I feel as those my negative opinions should cancel out the positive ones or vice versa—as if I can’t like or appreciate some aspects of the novel and yet be disappointed in others.
Don’t ask why; that’s just how I feel after reading When Stars Rain Down.
I make it a point not to read books about racism. And I’m not talking just nonfiction, I’m talking fiction with a main focus on racism. I just...I can’t stomach it, what with all that’s going on in the world right now.
So I have no idea what possessed me to read When Stars Rain Down. But I did. And here we are. Even though I felt almost depressed when I finished it, I’m glad I read it, if only to gain some insight on what critical race theory would mean for our lives and perceptions.
Let me explain…
For the first half or so, I enjoyed this book. Opal was a fairly steady heroine who knew her own mind, didn’t act out of turn, and was sweet and caring. I appreciated that. Most heroines these days are (1) deserving of a name I won’t call them, (2) whiny, and (3) disrespectful. Having a heroine like Opal was a refresher, it truly was.
Jackson-Brown’s writing was pretty good too—easy to follow, but also possessing a unique flow and cadence that fit Opal’s voice. Plus there was nothing technically wrong with it.
To top it all off, Cedric was...concerning at first (call me grandma, but I’m always concerned about the boys), but truly quite charming.
So what was wrong with it? Why did I come away feeling emotional drained and distressed?
I could come up with a myriad of technical reasons about pacing and plot and boring mumbo-jumbo like that, but to be honest? It all boils down to one thing: perspective. Or, to clarify, how Lovenia’s witchcraft was presented and perceived; and how I had hoped for a much better ending.
First things first, I am one of those. Not a hippie or a liberal...just one of those people who believe in God’s definition of race. And, in case you’re wondering, God’s definition of race has nothing to do with skin color—it’s all about the human race as a whole and, of course, running your race as a Christian. That’s all that matters in His eyes.
So, yes, I was put off by how much this novel reeked of the critical race theory. Sorry (not sorry), but I don’t believe a word of that. Racism is not ingrained in white people’s DNA, and it is certainly not a mindset you’re born with. (Trust me, I’m white. I would know.) Racism should not be racist. What do I mean by that? I mean that racism, like anything else, doesn’t just apply to whites being prejudiced against blacks. Racism is double-sided, and it applies to other races. For example, Jews and Samaritans or Romans and Britons. The moment you confine racism or sexism or even slavery to just one race, you invent an oxymoron and redefine not only the term but also its application and historical use, if that make sense.
Which, as much as that gets on my nerves, is not the subject of this review. *sighs* I can never keep my thoughts straight.
The point is to give you a little bit of background on why I was so confused by the “message” and the ending of this story.
And also to explain why I was a teensy bit disappointed that Opal didn’t end up with Jimmy Earl. I mean, come on. Wouldn’t it have been a beautiful story of equality and love if they had gotten married?
Well, they didn’t. And because of that, Jimmy Earl and Opal’s possible romance really had no purpose in this story, as another reviewer mentioned, making his character and that whole subplot seem very shallow.
You know, that was another thing I didn’t understand. Shouldn’t this have been a story of equality? A story of hope? A story of love? A story of God’s love and faithfulness towards us? I know that maybe that’s too sweet and fairy-tale-like, but even if Jackson-Brown simply gave Opal that fighting spirit and craving for something more (whether she gained it or not), I would have been satisfied.
Instead, this was a story of darkness, anger, confusion, and witchcraft. Certainly not what I wanted to be reading after living out the year of 2020, am I right?
Speaking of witchcraft...I am extremely disappointed in Thomas Nelson for publishing something so...well, witchy. You see, I have no problem with accurately portraying the black magic Africans practiced and how it bled into African-American culture. That’s history. That’s reality. It’s evil, yeah, but also true. However (there’s always a however)...Jackson-Brown went way too far. Instead of depicting witchcraft as wrong and a tool of Satan, it was sugar-coated and eventually passed off as okay.
Not okay, you guys. Not okay.
From the moment Opal met Lovenia, she knew witchcraft was wicked and something to avoid (not to mention, really, really freaky). But, more and more, she was pulled into its grasp and away from God. And there was no conviction, no turn-around, no restoration, no reconciliation. She just kept on going.
I’m sorry, but I don’t find that entertaining. I find it revolting and absolutely heartbreaking.
To be honest, a lot of this story broke my heart. And a lot of it entertained me. It was such a strange mix that I don’t really know what to think. I liked Opal—I really did. And I liked what Jackson-Brown had going on in the beginning—Opal seeing white people differently than other blacks did, and establishing meaningful relationships with other people, and presenting a new perspective on life in that era. But the farther I read, the worse it grew. Jackson-Brown seemed to depart from these themes and storyline and really confused me. I’m still not sure what exactly the purpose of this novel was, how Opal’s character positively changed, and what message the author entwined.
I’ll put it like this: I had a lot of potential. And I mean, a lot. For Little Miss No-Racism-Books to say that, that means a great deal, believe me.
But somewhere along the way, it lost it. Instead of portraying God’s love and redemptive power, witchcraft stole the show. Instead of depicting the growth of a girl into a loving, welcoming young woman who fought for justice, Opal seemed complacent—if not even somewhat bitter. Instead of leaving me satisfied and inspired, I felt empty and hollow after reading.
And maybe that was the point. Maybe the trend with fiction now is to depress readers and show them “the dark side.” In some ways, I can understand that. But giving the devil free advertising...wasting time and effort reading and writing stories with no hope...that’s not God's purpose for writing. It never was, and I can tell you that He and the writers who followed His call on their lives would be appalled to see their beloved fiction maligned in such a way.
I want to read something that shows me God’s glory, that fills me with hope, that inspires me to become a better person, that—even with all the darkness and sad truth of our sinful world—there is a brighter tomorrow.
Unfortunately, When Stars Rain Down was not it.
Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
#1 This is a long review, so pull up a chair and grab a bowl of popcorn. You’ll be here awhile.
#2 When I read a review, I want substantial information. So I will not skimp on the details. Which may mean some spoilers, so watch out.
Stars: 2.5
Synopsis: Opal Pruitt is on the cusp of womanhood in a small Georgia town in the year 1936. And although her life is fraught with trials, tribulations, new love, and loss, she learns to find hope in the darkness.
Favorite Quotes: “No, we don’t have to fear because we know that as the devil rides the highways and the byways tonight, we’ve got a God that sits high and looks low.”
“[C]hoose wisely. Choose prayerfully. Don’t let your feelings overrule your common sense.”
One part of me liked this book. The other part hated it. One part enjoyed the story. The other part was loath to turn another page (figuratively speaking; I read this on my Kindle). For some reason, I feel as those my negative opinions should cancel out the positive ones or vice versa—as if I can’t like or appreciate some aspects of the novel and yet be disappointed in others.
Don’t ask why; that’s just how I feel after reading When Stars Rain Down.
I make it a point not to read books about racism. And I’m not talking just nonfiction, I’m talking fiction with a main focus on racism. I just...I can’t stomach it, what with all that’s going on in the world right now.
So I have no idea what possessed me to read When Stars Rain Down. But I did. And here we are. Even though I felt almost depressed when I finished it, I’m glad I read it, if only to gain some insight on what critical race theory would mean for our lives and perceptions.
Let me explain…
For the first half or so, I enjoyed this book. Opal was a fairly steady heroine who knew her own mind, didn’t act out of turn, and was sweet and caring. I appreciated that. Most heroines these days are (1) deserving of a name I won’t call them, (2) whiny, and (3) disrespectful. Having a heroine like Opal was a refresher, it truly was.
Jackson-Brown’s writing was pretty good too—easy to follow, but also possessing a unique flow and cadence that fit Opal’s voice. Plus there was nothing technically wrong with it.
To top it all off, Cedric was...concerning at first (call me grandma, but I’m always concerned about the boys), but truly quite charming.
So what was wrong with it? Why did I come away feeling emotional drained and distressed?
I could come up with a myriad of technical reasons about pacing and plot and boring mumbo-jumbo like that, but to be honest? It all boils down to one thing: perspective. Or, to clarify, how Lovenia’s witchcraft was presented and perceived; and how I had hoped for a much better ending.
First things first, I am one of those. Not a hippie or a liberal...just one of those people who believe in God’s definition of race. And, in case you’re wondering, God’s definition of race has nothing to do with skin color—it’s all about the human race as a whole and, of course, running your race as a Christian. That’s all that matters in His eyes.
So, yes, I was put off by how much this novel reeked of the critical race theory. Sorry (not sorry), but I don’t believe a word of that. Racism is not ingrained in white people’s DNA, and it is certainly not a mindset you’re born with. (Trust me, I’m white. I would know.) Racism should not be racist. What do I mean by that? I mean that racism, like anything else, doesn’t just apply to whites being prejudiced against blacks. Racism is double-sided, and it applies to other races. For example, Jews and Samaritans or Romans and Britons. The moment you confine racism or sexism or even slavery to just one race, you invent an oxymoron and redefine not only the term but also its application and historical use, if that make sense.
Which, as much as that gets on my nerves, is not the subject of this review. *sighs* I can never keep my thoughts straight.
The point is to give you a little bit of background on why I was so confused by the “message” and the ending of this story.
And also to explain why I was a teensy bit disappointed that Opal didn’t end up with Jimmy Earl. I mean, come on. Wouldn’t it have been a beautiful story of equality and love if they had gotten married?
Well, they didn’t. And because of that, Jimmy Earl and Opal’s possible romance really had no purpose in this story, as another reviewer mentioned, making his character and that whole subplot seem very shallow.
You know, that was another thing I didn’t understand. Shouldn’t this have been a story of equality? A story of hope? A story of love? A story of God’s love and faithfulness towards us? I know that maybe that’s too sweet and fairy-tale-like, but even if Jackson-Brown simply gave Opal that fighting spirit and craving for something more (whether she gained it or not), I would have been satisfied.
Instead, this was a story of darkness, anger, confusion, and witchcraft. Certainly not what I wanted to be reading after living out the year of 2020, am I right?
Speaking of witchcraft...I am extremely disappointed in Thomas Nelson for publishing something so...well, witchy. You see, I have no problem with accurately portraying the black magic Africans practiced and how it bled into African-American culture. That’s history. That’s reality. It’s evil, yeah, but also true. However (there’s always a however)...Jackson-Brown went way too far. Instead of depicting witchcraft as wrong and a tool of Satan, it was sugar-coated and eventually passed off as okay.
Not okay, you guys. Not okay.
From the moment Opal met Lovenia, she knew witchcraft was wicked and something to avoid (not to mention, really, really freaky). But, more and more, she was pulled into its grasp and away from God. And there was no conviction, no turn-around, no restoration, no reconciliation. She just kept on going.
I’m sorry, but I don’t find that entertaining. I find it revolting and absolutely heartbreaking.
To be honest, a lot of this story broke my heart. And a lot of it entertained me. It was such a strange mix that I don’t really know what to think. I liked Opal—I really did. And I liked what Jackson-Brown had going on in the beginning—Opal seeing white people differently than other blacks did, and establishing meaningful relationships with other people, and presenting a new perspective on life in that era. But the farther I read, the worse it grew. Jackson-Brown seemed to depart from these themes and storyline and really confused me. I’m still not sure what exactly the purpose of this novel was, how Opal’s character positively changed, and what message the author entwined.
I’ll put it like this: I had a lot of potential. And I mean, a lot. For Little Miss No-Racism-Books to say that, that means a great deal, believe me.
But somewhere along the way, it lost it. Instead of portraying God’s love and redemptive power, witchcraft stole the show. Instead of depicting the growth of a girl into a loving, welcoming young woman who fought for justice, Opal seemed complacent—if not even somewhat bitter. Instead of leaving me satisfied and inspired, I felt empty and hollow after reading.
And maybe that was the point. Maybe the trend with fiction now is to depress readers and show them “the dark side.” In some ways, I can understand that. But giving the devil free advertising...wasting time and effort reading and writing stories with no hope...that’s not God's purpose for writing. It never was, and I can tell you that He and the writers who followed His call on their lives would be appalled to see their beloved fiction maligned in such a way.
I want to read something that shows me God’s glory, that fills me with hope, that inspires me to become a better person, that—even with all the darkness and sad truth of our sinful world—there is a brighter tomorrow.
Unfortunately, When Stars Rain Down was not it.
Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 10, 2024
1936: Opal Pruitt lives with her grandmother Birdie in Parson, Georgia and in the coloured area of town, and she's about to turn eighteen and looking forward to the Founder’s Day celebration and the spit roast. Opal works as a maid for Miss Peggy a widow and her daughter and grandson who’s away at college. She tries to be positive and find joy in a world full of hate and but it’s not safe for her to walk to her job alone and she often feels worried and scared about what might happen.
Tension is simmering between the coloured and white people and despite the African American people trying not to attract unwanted attention, they work hard and go to church on a Sunday and unfortunately the Ku Klux Klan like to target the neighbourhood. Opal catches the eye of Cedric Perkins, and he’s not to only one to notice how pretty she is and her grandmother Birdie worries about men are noticing her granddaughter and she tells her to be careful. Things escalate and coloured people are just waiting for things to explode and they do.
I received a copy of When Stars Rain Down by Angela Jackson-Brown from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson in exchange for an unbiased review. A story that’s based around a teenage girl growing up and becoming a woman and dealing her emotions and feelings and falling in love for the first time.
This is all hard enough to do and the main character is living in the America South, and with the KKK tormenting her and grandmother and I think the author has created a realistic narrative that accurately represents the time. Four and a half stars from me and unfortunately racism is still happening today and it needs to stop. I highly recommend this book and especially if you like reading Historical Christian Fiction and with a meaningful message and good role models.
Tension is simmering between the coloured and white people and despite the African American people trying not to attract unwanted attention, they work hard and go to church on a Sunday and unfortunately the Ku Klux Klan like to target the neighbourhood. Opal catches the eye of Cedric Perkins, and he’s not to only one to notice how pretty she is and her grandmother Birdie worries about men are noticing her granddaughter and she tells her to be careful. Things escalate and coloured people are just waiting for things to explode and they do.
I received a copy of When Stars Rain Down by Angela Jackson-Brown from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson in exchange for an unbiased review. A story that’s based around a teenage girl growing up and becoming a woman and dealing her emotions and feelings and falling in love for the first time.
This is all hard enough to do and the main character is living in the America South, and with the KKK tormenting her and grandmother and I think the author has created a realistic narrative that accurately represents the time. Four and a half stars from me and unfortunately racism is still happening today and it needs to stop. I highly recommend this book and especially if you like reading Historical Christian Fiction and with a meaningful message and good role models.
April 6, 2021
And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. Mark 13:25 (KJV)
Opal Pruitt has a bad feeling. She just knows there is a catastrophe waiting around the corner. How can that be? She is about to turn eighteen and has two lovable men in her life. Her work is fulfilling even if some of her family members see her as 'just a housekeeper.' She knows that her gifts are being used well at Miss Peggy's house. After the unthinkable happens, the black community simmers like an unwatched pot. Can there be peace with the white folks that live in Parsons, Georgia? Opal's Granny is putting it all in the Lord's hands, but Opal struggles with God's ways. Set in the mid-1930's, this new novel by Angela Jackson-Brown lays bare the sins of racism and reminds us all that the only way to true reconciliation is through the Gospel. Published edition will include discussion questions for book groups.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All ideas express in this review are my own.
Opal Pruitt has a bad feeling. She just knows there is a catastrophe waiting around the corner. How can that be? She is about to turn eighteen and has two lovable men in her life. Her work is fulfilling even if some of her family members see her as 'just a housekeeper.' She knows that her gifts are being used well at Miss Peggy's house. After the unthinkable happens, the black community simmers like an unwatched pot. Can there be peace with the white folks that live in Parsons, Georgia? Opal's Granny is putting it all in the Lord's hands, but Opal struggles with God's ways. Set in the mid-1930's, this new novel by Angela Jackson-Brown lays bare the sins of racism and reminds us all that the only way to true reconciliation is through the Gospel. Published edition will include discussion questions for book groups.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All ideas express in this review are my own.
April 23, 2021
When Stars Rain Down is an emotionally heart breaking read about a coming-of-age story set in 1936. The story is about eighteen year old Opal Pruitt who is from a small southern town in Parsons, Georgia in a neighborhood called Colored Town. The story is about racism, the KKK, segregation, racial hatred, and violence that is experienced by the black community in this once peaceful town. But it is also about courage, community, compassion, and hope.
The writing is from the point of view of our MC Opal, as told in the first person, where the readers will feel the deep emotions, pain and suffering, and also happiness and pure joy. This certainly is an immersive story that is just as relevant today as it was in the 1930’s. This relatable story is so special that we find a little bit of ourselves in Opal’s voice.
A must read!
The writing is from the point of view of our MC Opal, as told in the first person, where the readers will feel the deep emotions, pain and suffering, and also happiness and pure joy. This certainly is an immersive story that is just as relevant today as it was in the 1930’s. This relatable story is so special that we find a little bit of ourselves in Opal’s voice.
A must read!
June 7, 2021
In 1930’s Parsons, Georgia.. 17 year old Opal lives with her grandmother in Colored Town, a black only community, and the two of them do domestic work for a white family that the grandmother has been with for many years.
Opal herself is torn between her feelings for two young men.. the white grandson of the woman she works for (and who she’s grown up with)..and the black preacher’s son.
Tensions rise and racism, hatred, and fear abound after the Ku Klux Klan come through Colored Town one night and cause much damage.
I enjoyed this, especially the relationship between Opal and her Grandmother.. all the characters were well drawn out, and the story dealt with race issues that are still relevant.
Opal herself is torn between her feelings for two young men.. the white grandson of the woman she works for (and who she’s grown up with)..and the black preacher’s son.
Tensions rise and racism, hatred, and fear abound after the Ku Klux Klan come through Colored Town one night and cause much damage.
I enjoyed this, especially the relationship between Opal and her Grandmother.. all the characters were well drawn out, and the story dealt with race issues that are still relevant.
April 15, 2022
In 1936 in Parsons Georgia the Ku Klux Klan is active, stirring up trouble for those who live in what is known as Colored Town. Opal Pruitt is cared for by her bible believing Granny Birdie. Both work for the widow Miss Peggy and her childlike adult daughter Miss Corrine. These white people treat Birdie and Opal better than many others do. But still the differences in treatment and the things they are allowed to do or the places they are allowed to be rankles. When the Ku Klux Klan comes to Opal’s neighbourhood danger is evident. At the same time Opal finds herself drawn to Cedric Perkins, the son of her pastor. She also has feelings for Jimmy Earl , the son of Miss Corrine. But she knows that can lead nowhere because of the colour barrier. Will the world ever change and give Opal and her kinsfolk equality and the same rights as those of the white world? And how will Opal and her family overcome the threats that surround them?
I was absorbed in this story from start to finish. A little repetitive at times, but it certainly conveyed that hate that underpins racism. While I liked Opal, Birdie and many of the other characters, I found Miss Lovenia with her beliefs that are partly Christian liberally mixed with what Birdie and others call, ‘ hoodoo’ unsettling. I didn’t think it served a purpose even though it is supposed to in the story.
However, the positives of this story outweighed those couple of negatives. It is worth reading to give a good view of the disgraceful treatment that was allowed to go on for too long. And even though some things have changed, racism still rears its ugly head too often today.
I was absorbed in this story from start to finish. A little repetitive at times, but it certainly conveyed that hate that underpins racism. While I liked Opal, Birdie and many of the other characters, I found Miss Lovenia with her beliefs that are partly Christian liberally mixed with what Birdie and others call, ‘ hoodoo’ unsettling. I didn’t think it served a purpose even though it is supposed to in the story.
However, the positives of this story outweighed those couple of negatives. It is worth reading to give a good view of the disgraceful treatment that was allowed to go on for too long. And even though some things have changed, racism still rears its ugly head too often today.
May 6, 2021
Favorite Quotes:
My pastor, Reverend Perkins, said just this past Sunday that if this heat was a clue of how hot hell was going to be, we should all be lining up to get rebaptized.
You ain’t got the good sense God gave a billy goat. You think them Kluxers is scared of the likes of you? Get somewhere and be still.
Do you know when folks say they saw stars when someone kissed them, and it always sounded silly or downright crazy? Well, I promise you, when Cedric kissed me, it was like the heavens opened up and all the stars rained down to the earth.
All of their faces looked like the worst kind of storm clouds. It was like what was going on outside with the rain and the wind had entered into our little house. I felt drenched with the emotions we were all feeling.
My Review:
I tumbled right into this book and was so deeply immersed in this clever author’s words that every time my eyes were forced from my Kindle I was momentarily stunned to realize I wasn’t in Georgia. I kid you not, my skin is so fair I am practically an albino but while reading this absorbing missive I was an exhausted seventeen-year-old black girl residing in the segregated and rural Deep South during 1936 while living in fear of the KKK. I was entranced, enthralled, and riveted to the sharply-honed and tension-filled narrative. I sobbed when Opal was devastated and felt her elation and losses as keenly as if they were my own. Angela Jackson-Brown is a masterful storyteller with serious word voodoo. Somehow, five stars just doesn’t feel like enough, ten seems far more accurate.
My pastor, Reverend Perkins, said just this past Sunday that if this heat was a clue of how hot hell was going to be, we should all be lining up to get rebaptized.
You ain’t got the good sense God gave a billy goat. You think them Kluxers is scared of the likes of you? Get somewhere and be still.
Do you know when folks say they saw stars when someone kissed them, and it always sounded silly or downright crazy? Well, I promise you, when Cedric kissed me, it was like the heavens opened up and all the stars rained down to the earth.
All of their faces looked like the worst kind of storm clouds. It was like what was going on outside with the rain and the wind had entered into our little house. I felt drenched with the emotions we were all feeling.
My Review:
I tumbled right into this book and was so deeply immersed in this clever author’s words that every time my eyes were forced from my Kindle I was momentarily stunned to realize I wasn’t in Georgia. I kid you not, my skin is so fair I am practically an albino but while reading this absorbing missive I was an exhausted seventeen-year-old black girl residing in the segregated and rural Deep South during 1936 while living in fear of the KKK. I was entranced, enthralled, and riveted to the sharply-honed and tension-filled narrative. I sobbed when Opal was devastated and felt her elation and losses as keenly as if they were my own. Angela Jackson-Brown is a masterful storyteller with serious word voodoo. Somehow, five stars just doesn’t feel like enough, ten seems far more accurate.
May 13, 2021
Absolutely gut-wrenching. Fictional, but still retaining a past reality. Highly recommended!
4/5
4/5
May 9, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- What a delightful book this turned out to be.
PROS
-- Beautifully written.
-- Well paced.
-- I loved the time period and setting.
-- Emotional and thought-provoking plot.
-- Even though this book was heavy on religion, I didn't find it "preachy"
-- A well-developed cast of characters.
-- Satisfying ending.
CONS
-- This book had a fairly large cast of characters (especially Opal's family), and I sometimes got confused who was who. 🤷🏻♀️
-- Lovenia, I am not really sure what the point of her character was. 🤔
-- The Opal and Jimmy "romance" If you can even call it that. It didn't really add anything to the story.
-- The ending. Yes, I know I added I found it satisfying in the above section, and I did. However, I wish there had been a bit more to it. I am actually still confused by something that Lovenia said to Opal that didn't come to fruition. 🤷🏻♀️
**Arc Via NetGalley**
PROS
-- Beautifully written.
-- Well paced.
-- I loved the time period and setting.
-- Emotional and thought-provoking plot.
-- Even though this book was heavy on religion, I didn't find it "preachy"
-- A well-developed cast of characters.
-- Satisfying ending.
CONS
-- This book had a fairly large cast of characters (especially Opal's family), and I sometimes got confused who was who. 🤷🏻♀️
-- Lovenia, I am not really sure what the point of her character was. 🤔
-- The Opal and Jimmy "romance" If you can even call it that. It didn't really add anything to the story.
-- The ending. Yes, I know I added I found it satisfying in the above section, and I did. However, I wish there had been a bit more to it. I am actually still confused by something that Lovenia said to Opal that didn't come to fruition. 🤷🏻♀️
**Arc Via NetGalley**
May 20, 2021
This book was so well written....I'm just a HEA person when I read or even watch television. I usually don't like stories when people are killed...my perspective is that I have to heard about this in my everyday normal life and reading is my enjoyment which allows me to escape....But, this book was so well written, I absolutely could not ignore that fact. Truthfully, it was a really good story and of course there were some things that I didn't like and some other things that really wasn't clear or cleared up...the written didn't expound on things that I really felt required additional information. For me they were more or less left unsaid. Nevertheless, this was definitely a story worth diving deep into....Excellent narration!
September 5, 2021
It’s 1936 in small town Parsons, Georgia where Opal Pruitt’s life is about to change forever. Living with her grandmother, both work as housekeepers for the white widow, Miss Peggy. The KKK targets Opal’s neighborhood, and Opal herself, ending in devastating consequences for everyone. There’s a bit of a love story where Opal finds herself torn between two boys she’s affectionate for. I’ve cried what felt like a million tears while reading this. Even after finishing I’m still thinking about it. I haven’t been this moved by a book in a long while. It’s amazing, and I highly recommend this to everyone.
March 9, 2021
WHEN STARS RAIN DOWN
BY ANGELA JACKSON-BROWN
It is 1936 in Parsons, Georgia and it is the hottest, stifling summer that this community has endured. I wondered if the heat was symbolism for what the African American's that are so loving in this beautiful, heartbreaking tale are battling and the heat foreshadows the claustrophobia of feeling like there is a storm brewing. The narrator named Opal is on the cusp of turning eighteen years old. She lives with her Granny and they reminded me how close I was with both of my Grandmother's. The love that these two share is deep and palpable warmth.
Opal and Granny work for a white family cooking and cleaning. Opal is starting to attract the attention of two young men. One is the white boy in the family for whom they work for who is home from College during summer break. The other boy is a respectable black boy like herself. Granny has taught Opal to conduct herself like a proper young lady.
The story was very well written and in Opal and Granny we find two peaceful and loving people who do everything that they can to exist in a town where race relations are tense in the background. I loved these two character's and their family. The only problem is that the KKK are itching for a reason to cause these peace loving folks harm. This story had the feeling that the setting was taking place in the here and now.
I think Angela Jackson-Brown does a fantastic job in portraying her cast of character's whom seem so real that they could walk right out of the story and I would embrace them all and want them to be part of my family or the closest of friend's. They do their best to live by a code of honor and their only crime which I hate to use that word is the color of their skin.
Founder's Day is the day when the whole town gathers together and celebrates. There is trouble looming on the horizon. Opal and Granny and their family just want to enjoy life and the way some of these white character's act make me ashamed to be White.
This is a powerful story that needs to be told and any genre of reader needs to make this fantastic work of art a must read. The story resonates with today. Both men and women will just be so pleased that Angela Jackson-Brown has created a work of art that is masterfully told through Opal's eyes that deserves a wide audience for its authenticity. This book has made me feel deeply that we must all do all that we can to love everyone and treat them as equals. I highly recommend this masterpiece to everyone. It changed my life and it will change yours as well. This is my favorite reading experience when I read a book that opens my eyes that much wider and calls me to action to do everything I can so that I can somehow contribute to society to end the cruelties and indignities that these character's suffer.
Publication Date: April 13, 2021
Thank you to Net Galley, Angela Jackson-Brown and Thomas Nelson-Fiction for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#WhenStarsRainDown #AngelaJacksonBrown #ThomasNelsonFiction #NetGalley
BY ANGELA JACKSON-BROWN
It is 1936 in Parsons, Georgia and it is the hottest, stifling summer that this community has endured. I wondered if the heat was symbolism for what the African American's that are so loving in this beautiful, heartbreaking tale are battling and the heat foreshadows the claustrophobia of feeling like there is a storm brewing. The narrator named Opal is on the cusp of turning eighteen years old. She lives with her Granny and they reminded me how close I was with both of my Grandmother's. The love that these two share is deep and palpable warmth.
Opal and Granny work for a white family cooking and cleaning. Opal is starting to attract the attention of two young men. One is the white boy in the family for whom they work for who is home from College during summer break. The other boy is a respectable black boy like herself. Granny has taught Opal to conduct herself like a proper young lady.
The story was very well written and in Opal and Granny we find two peaceful and loving people who do everything that they can to exist in a town where race relations are tense in the background. I loved these two character's and their family. The only problem is that the KKK are itching for a reason to cause these peace loving folks harm. This story had the feeling that the setting was taking place in the here and now.
I think Angela Jackson-Brown does a fantastic job in portraying her cast of character's whom seem so real that they could walk right out of the story and I would embrace them all and want them to be part of my family or the closest of friend's. They do their best to live by a code of honor and their only crime which I hate to use that word is the color of their skin.
Founder's Day is the day when the whole town gathers together and celebrates. There is trouble looming on the horizon. Opal and Granny and their family just want to enjoy life and the way some of these white character's act make me ashamed to be White.
This is a powerful story that needs to be told and any genre of reader needs to make this fantastic work of art a must read. The story resonates with today. Both men and women will just be so pleased that Angela Jackson-Brown has created a work of art that is masterfully told through Opal's eyes that deserves a wide audience for its authenticity. This book has made me feel deeply that we must all do all that we can to love everyone and treat them as equals. I highly recommend this masterpiece to everyone. It changed my life and it will change yours as well. This is my favorite reading experience when I read a book that opens my eyes that much wider and calls me to action to do everything I can so that I can somehow contribute to society to end the cruelties and indignities that these character's suffer.
Publication Date: April 13, 2021
Thank you to Net Galley, Angela Jackson-Brown and Thomas Nelson-Fiction for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#WhenStarsRainDown #AngelaJacksonBrown #ThomasNelsonFiction #NetGalley
December 14, 2020
I enjoyed this book sooooooo much!
Opal's story is just one of many voices needing to be told.
This new to me author has done a satisfactory job in telling Opal's story and making her seem so real that at times I could feel her pain.
I was not happy at the treatment of Opal. In fact I was rather sad.
I've often asked myself why we can't get along. It's a shame.
I found myself praying that everything would turn out OK for my favorite person.
I've felt like I've made friends in this beautiful heartwarming story. most favorite part of the story was that it was told from Opal's point of view. I felt so connected easier this way.
I was very impressed with the style of writing from this new to me new author. She's fantastic!
My thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book.. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
5 stars for the voices in this book.
Opal's story is just one of many voices needing to be told.
This new to me author has done a satisfactory job in telling Opal's story and making her seem so real that at times I could feel her pain.
I was not happy at the treatment of Opal. In fact I was rather sad.
I've often asked myself why we can't get along. It's a shame.
I found myself praying that everything would turn out OK for my favorite person.
I've felt like I've made friends in this beautiful heartwarming story. most favorite part of the story was that it was told from Opal's point of view. I felt so connected easier this way.
I was very impressed with the style of writing from this new to me new author. She's fantastic!
My thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book.. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
5 stars for the voices in this book.
June 20, 2021
I didn’t intend to start (and finish) this book on Juneteenth but it grabbed me in a couldn’t put it down sort of way. Hot Georgia summer. Racial tension. Interesting young female protagonist.
Admittedly, this is ground that’s been covered in many other great books, but it still felt fresh.
Easy to recommend.
Admittedly, this is ground that’s been covered in many other great books, but it still felt fresh.
Easy to recommend.
November 11, 2022
4.5 stars. This was so good. Especially the ending. It brought tears to my eyes. The close bond between Opal and her Granny was so touching.
January 28, 2021
When a book makes you cry so hard and long that your family comes running to see what’s happened, you know you’ve landed in the world of an unforgettable book. Angela Jackson-Brown took me on a beautiful, heartbreaking journey in When Stars Rain Down, and it’s one I won’t soon forget.
What I Loved:
✨The author’s masterful depiction of 1930’s small town southern culture
✨The main characters of Opal and Birdie. The character development here is outstanding, and I felt like I knew both of them as dear and treasured friends.
✨It’s never easy to read about a time and place that was so tragic and appalling, but it’s also necessary because we must bear witness to the atrocities of history so that we may learn from them and play our parts to create a better world. This is an #ownvoices book that gets it right in every way.
✨The ending was bittersweet yet realistic. There are no pretty bows to wrap up the Jim Crow south, but these characters chose to live in love and faith in spite of everything – and they inspired me deeply.
✨The faith element in When Stars Rained is so authentic and profound that it’s truly believable and deeply-felt. If you struggle, as I sometimes do, with Christian fiction that can be affected or overly saccharine, then I hope you will give this remarkable book a chance. It is a truly amazing read and one that I will purchase for my personal collection after having read the advanced readers’ copy.
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This will be in stores on April 13, and you’re going to want to grab your own copy.
What I Loved:
✨The author’s masterful depiction of 1930’s small town southern culture
✨The main characters of Opal and Birdie. The character development here is outstanding, and I felt like I knew both of them as dear and treasured friends.
✨It’s never easy to read about a time and place that was so tragic and appalling, but it’s also necessary because we must bear witness to the atrocities of history so that we may learn from them and play our parts to create a better world. This is an #ownvoices book that gets it right in every way.
✨The ending was bittersweet yet realistic. There are no pretty bows to wrap up the Jim Crow south, but these characters chose to live in love and faith in spite of everything – and they inspired me deeply.
✨The faith element in When Stars Rained is so authentic and profound that it’s truly believable and deeply-felt. If you struggle, as I sometimes do, with Christian fiction that can be affected or overly saccharine, then I hope you will give this remarkable book a chance. It is a truly amazing read and one that I will purchase for my personal collection after having read the advanced readers’ copy.
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This will be in stores on April 13, and you’re going to want to grab your own copy.
June 8, 2021
This is an extraordinary novel that excels at characterization. I haven't read a lot of fiction set in the Reconstruction era, and Jackson-Brown does a terrific job of setting the scene and the tense relations between white and black folks in Parsons, Georgia in 1936, without being too heavy-handed about it. The characters are vibrating off the page here, and I appreciated the way Jackson-Brown threads the needle with the friendships made through work relationships between Granny and her employer Miss Peggy, and Opal and Jimmy Earl. Miss Lovenia was my favorite! The last third of the book flew through my fingers as the novel reaches the showdown it has been building towards. I recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction, rounded characters, and a driving plot.
January 14, 2021
The summer of 1936 in Parsons, Georgia, is unseasonably hot, and Opal Pruitt can sense a nameless storm coming. She hopes this foreboding feeling won’t overshadow her upcoming eighteenth birthday or the annual Founder’s Day celebration in just a few weeks. This was a great book and thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.
October 20, 2021
Rating : I waffle between 3 stars or higher
Growing up in the small town of Parsons, Georgia, Opal Pruitt is content to work alongside her grandmother as a housekeeper. But the Ku Klux Klan's activity awakens racial tensions that force both sides to acknowledge what has been simmering under the surface in the aftermath of reconstruction.
A coming of age read, set in the summer of 1936. This is a well written read that explores themes of religion, family, growing up and race relations in the South. Poignant and heartbreaking, this book deals with difficult things, and features strong feminine characters. Opal is a compelling character who finds her strength over the course of the book, and I loved her close knit family, and Granny, who is always looking out for her.
But while this book does so many things right there were some details that gave me a serious pause. There is a "hoodoo" woman, Miss Lovenia, who helps with natural remedies that some people fear, she states that she is a non-practicing practicing Catholic. Granny, a devout Christian, doesn't approve of Miss Lovenia and she sets Opal ill at ease at times. Her practices come off as New Age, and Omnist, and she states in one instance, "The Creator answers by many names. Allah, Yaweh, Elohim, El Roi....So many names...Then of course there are the other deities. Those who ruled the heavens and earth long before Jesus was a glimmer in the Creator's eye." Though Granny and Opal are both dubious of her, it is implied throughout the book that she does possess "the sight" and that she states her works are of God. Another time she says, "I listen to the spirits and I listen to God, and, to be honest the are one and the same." Also, when Opal is recalling the teachings of Reverend Perkins, "What if, like Reverend Perkins said, God was everything and everything was God?" Which is a statement that is in line with pathesism.
Overall, I wanted so much to highly recommend this book, but the serious erroneous teachings make it hard for me to recommend this book as it is being marketed as a Christian book, while espousing New Age, panthesistic, and Omnistic beliefs. The story is compelling as are the characters, in a turbulent time in history when many horrific crimes occurred over color and race. If you are still interested in reading this book, I would recommend it more as general market historical fiction, and say to beware of more mainstream handling of religion.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
*Note: I wrote this review the way that I did because I know that a majority of the people reading my reviews are looking for recommendations of Christian fiction.
Growing up in the small town of Parsons, Georgia, Opal Pruitt is content to work alongside her grandmother as a housekeeper. But the Ku Klux Klan's activity awakens racial tensions that force both sides to acknowledge what has been simmering under the surface in the aftermath of reconstruction.
A coming of age read, set in the summer of 1936. This is a well written read that explores themes of religion, family, growing up and race relations in the South. Poignant and heartbreaking, this book deals with difficult things, and features strong feminine characters. Opal is a compelling character who finds her strength over the course of the book, and I loved her close knit family, and Granny, who is always looking out for her.
But while this book does so many things right there were some details that gave me a serious pause. There is a "hoodoo" woman, Miss Lovenia, who helps with natural remedies that some people fear, she states that she is a non-practicing practicing Catholic. Granny, a devout Christian, doesn't approve of Miss Lovenia and she sets Opal ill at ease at times. Her practices come off as New Age, and Omnist, and she states in one instance, "The Creator answers by many names. Allah, Yaweh, Elohim, El Roi....So many names...Then of course there are the other deities. Those who ruled the heavens and earth long before Jesus was a glimmer in the Creator's eye." Though Granny and Opal are both dubious of her, it is implied throughout the book that she does possess "the sight" and that she states her works are of God. Another time she says, "I listen to the spirits and I listen to God, and, to be honest the are one and the same." Also, when Opal is recalling the teachings of Reverend Perkins, "What if, like Reverend Perkins said, God was everything and everything was God?" Which is a statement that is in line with pathesism.
Overall, I wanted so much to highly recommend this book, but the serious erroneous teachings make it hard for me to recommend this book as it is being marketed as a Christian book, while espousing New Age, panthesistic, and Omnistic beliefs. The story is compelling as are the characters, in a turbulent time in history when many horrific crimes occurred over color and race. If you are still interested in reading this book, I would recommend it more as general market historical fiction, and say to beware of more mainstream handling of religion.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
*Note: I wrote this review the way that I did because I know that a majority of the people reading my reviews are looking for recommendations of Christian fiction.
November 9, 2020
When Stars Rain Down by Angela Jackson-Brown is an excellent Southern historical fiction that takes the reader straight into the heart of the summer of 1936 in Georgia. Here we are thrown into the middle of the sticky, humid, unrelenting heat of a deep south summer that is teeming with more then just high temperatures: a tightrope balancing between the coming changes and the dark past and present of segregation, smothering past of slavery, and the aftermath of all that entails.
I loved a lot of things about this book:
The author does a fantastic job placing the reader into the 1930s physical and societal landscapes of small town Georgia. I could literally feel the dust rising up on the dry roads, the sun beating down on my back, the smell of biscuits baking in the oven, and the fear, tension, love, anger, loss, family, and emotions crackling in the air. She did an excellent job depicting the dialect, attitude, character development, and descriptions of the locations within this story.
I enjoyed Opal. She was young, yet wise beyond her years. She did not finish school, but yet she knew so much. She was likable, strong, and beautiful, yet she was flawed, fragile, and naive. I enjoyed seeing her growth, change, and her eventual newfound relationship. I also loved her Granny. She was a wise and sweet woman.
It was hard to read about how the African American community was treated. Despite all that I have read, it obviously never gets easier, as it should never. It was truly heartbreaking to see the hurt, hardships, uncertainty, fear, and life-altering occurrences that happened every day. The author did a great job depicting this all the while weaving a wondrous tale of young Opal, her family and town, and that pivotal summer. It kept me engaged and drawn to each page desperate to find out what happens. I liked the bittersweet ending and thought it was realistic, gravitational, and appropriate.
This is the first book I have read from this author, and I look forward to more.
5/5 stars
Thank you EW and Thomas Nelson for this wonderful ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I am posting this review to my GR, Instagram, and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/13/21.
I loved a lot of things about this book:
The author does a fantastic job placing the reader into the 1930s physical and societal landscapes of small town Georgia. I could literally feel the dust rising up on the dry roads, the sun beating down on my back, the smell of biscuits baking in the oven, and the fear, tension, love, anger, loss, family, and emotions crackling in the air. She did an excellent job depicting the dialect, attitude, character development, and descriptions of the locations within this story.
I enjoyed Opal. She was young, yet wise beyond her years. She did not finish school, but yet she knew so much. She was likable, strong, and beautiful, yet she was flawed, fragile, and naive. I enjoyed seeing her growth, change, and her eventual newfound relationship. I also loved her Granny. She was a wise and sweet woman.
It was hard to read about how the African American community was treated. Despite all that I have read, it obviously never gets easier, as it should never. It was truly heartbreaking to see the hurt, hardships, uncertainty, fear, and life-altering occurrences that happened every day. The author did a great job depicting this all the while weaving a wondrous tale of young Opal, her family and town, and that pivotal summer. It kept me engaged and drawn to each page desperate to find out what happens. I liked the bittersweet ending and thought it was realistic, gravitational, and appropriate.
This is the first book I have read from this author, and I look forward to more.
5/5 stars
Thank you EW and Thomas Nelson for this wonderful ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I am posting this review to my GR, Instagram, and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/13/21.
April 25, 2021
This book somehow made me feel more rooted in who I am as a African-American young woman. I loved how Opal even though she was emotional was very strong and always seeking to help those around her. But something that I loved the most is that she stopped always trying to make Jimmy Earl and his family not feel bad about the black people getting hurt. She finally stopped letting the ones who weren't victims make her feel she had to say it's not their fault. This story was very beautiful and reminded me alot about myself. Her granny's death shocked me and made me cry but it helped me deal with my own pain of my Granny's stroke.
I'm really thankful I read this book and will continue to re-read it over and over again.
I'm really thankful I read this book and will continue to re-read it over and over again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2021
Heartbreaking and hopeful. I've been stunned into silence by the poignant beauty of Jackson-Brown's prose. Her words catapulted me into a world of blistering heat and aching sorrow and the loving warmth of family and friends as Opal navigates a difficult journey into womanhood.
I really am speechless since there's so much I'd like to say but am wary of posting spoilers so I can't. This would definitely make an incredible book club selection for older teens and adults alike. There is so much grit and faith and infinite wisdom within these pages. And an unflinching look at the harsh realities of racism. A timely reminder and wake up call for us in this day and age as well.
Simply stunning.
I really am speechless since there's so much I'd like to say but am wary of posting spoilers so I can't. This would definitely make an incredible book club selection for older teens and adults alike. There is so much grit and faith and infinite wisdom within these pages. And an unflinching look at the harsh realities of racism. A timely reminder and wake up call for us in this day and age as well.
Simply stunning.
August 23, 2021
Important message, but incredibly simple. Would be good as a middle school YA read - one note characters and straightforward conflict with a predictable unsatisfactory wrap up, nothing complex.
📃🎈
📃🎈
December 30, 2021
f you're in the mood for an expertly crafted historical fiction novel that fully immerses readers from page one, with a young woman's coming-of-age story intricately interwoven with the complexity of race and beautifully showcases the resilience of Black people in the face of hate, then When The Stars Rain Down by Angela Jackson-Brown is perfect for you!
Opal Pruitt is a dark-skinned 17-year-old young woman being raised by her maternal grandmother in Parsons, Georgia. Together, they work as the help for a white family who treats them like family but what Opal soon learns is that not all white people have a place in their hearts for Black people and instead have an irrational hate that runs deep. On one particular night, the Ku Klux Klan storms their Opal's neighborhood, spewing hate and wreaking havoc on her granny's yard and awakening Opal to a horrifying reality.
Jackson-Brown has eloquently delivered a novel that will take readers on an emotional journey that will pull at their heart as Opal grapples with first love, the complexity of spirituality, and endures racism, colorism, and violence that would surely break another person's spirit.
When Stars Rain Down is extremely relevant to the injustices Black people continue to face today. In 1936, Black men were left feeling defenseless to the Ku Klux Klan and today instead of wearing sheets to hide themselves, individuals are blatant in their hateful violence against Black men and women. We recently celebrated the conviction of George Flyod's killer but unarmed Black men continue to be killed.
In 2021, there is still no law against lynching and the brazen hate crimes against Black people reiterates why we must come together and demand change. Black people face incomparable adversity and in spite of relentless oppression continue to forge a way and wake up grateful for a new day.
Opal Pruitt is a dark-skinned 17-year-old young woman being raised by her maternal grandmother in Parsons, Georgia. Together, they work as the help for a white family who treats them like family but what Opal soon learns is that not all white people have a place in their hearts for Black people and instead have an irrational hate that runs deep. On one particular night, the Ku Klux Klan storms their Opal's neighborhood, spewing hate and wreaking havoc on her granny's yard and awakening Opal to a horrifying reality.
Jackson-Brown has eloquently delivered a novel that will take readers on an emotional journey that will pull at their heart as Opal grapples with first love, the complexity of spirituality, and endures racism, colorism, and violence that would surely break another person's spirit.
When Stars Rain Down is extremely relevant to the injustices Black people continue to face today. In 1936, Black men were left feeling defenseless to the Ku Klux Klan and today instead of wearing sheets to hide themselves, individuals are blatant in their hateful violence against Black men and women. We recently celebrated the conviction of George Flyod's killer but unarmed Black men continue to be killed.
In 2021, there is still no law against lynching and the brazen hate crimes against Black people reiterates why we must come together and demand change. Black people face incomparable adversity and in spite of relentless oppression continue to forge a way and wake up grateful for a new day.
October 24, 2021
Excellent,excellent Southern historical fiction.
The 1930's is not an easy time for anyone but especially the colored folks in Parsons, Georgia.
It's an unbearably hot summer and folks are just trying to make it through the best they can especially Opal Pruitt, a young black woman working as a housekeeper, coming of age during a very turbulent time.
She lives with her granny , a very religious woman who keeps her in line. I loved granny's character the most . She is an incredibly strong willed and religious woman that everyone has a tremendous amount of respect for.
The book is so heartwarming yet heartbreaking at the same time.
The black family unit in this book is so strong, very protective of each other. Very religious.
Change is coming though, the Klan is moving in and these innocent people are right in their path though they've minded their own business and done nothing to provoke it.
It's sad to see how many years have passed in time and how the unjust behavior continues to this day, and we call ourselves progressive?
Though this book takes place in the 1930's these subjects are still relevant today.
It's a haunting read with it's tragedies but very realistic . When will we realize this behavior benefits no one and needs to change?
Excellent book I recommend to you!
Pub Date 13 Apr 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
The 1930's is not an easy time for anyone but especially the colored folks in Parsons, Georgia.
It's an unbearably hot summer and folks are just trying to make it through the best they can especially Opal Pruitt, a young black woman working as a housekeeper, coming of age during a very turbulent time.
She lives with her granny , a very religious woman who keeps her in line. I loved granny's character the most . She is an incredibly strong willed and religious woman that everyone has a tremendous amount of respect for.
The book is so heartwarming yet heartbreaking at the same time.
The black family unit in this book is so strong, very protective of each other. Very religious.
Change is coming though, the Klan is moving in and these innocent people are right in their path though they've minded their own business and done nothing to provoke it.
It's sad to see how many years have passed in time and how the unjust behavior continues to this day, and we call ourselves progressive?
Though this book takes place in the 1930's these subjects are still relevant today.
It's a haunting read with it's tragedies but very realistic . When will we realize this behavior benefits no one and needs to change?
Excellent book I recommend to you!
Pub Date 13 Apr 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
January 30, 2021
Opal is an almost 18 year old lady who lives in Georgia in 1936. She and her granny work for Miss Peggy. A terrible storm is coming to Opal and her family.
I loved the characters of Opal and Granny. Granny had so much faith and live for those around her. She kept a cool head even during times that were beyond imaginable. Opal experienced such awful things and yet she kept going each day and did everything she could to be there for her family.
I did not care for the character of Lovenia. I didn't see how that fit in with the story.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.
I loved the characters of Opal and Granny. Granny had so much faith and live for those around her. She kept a cool head even during times that were beyond imaginable. Opal experienced such awful things and yet she kept going each day and did everything she could to be there for her family.
I did not care for the character of Lovenia. I didn't see how that fit in with the story.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.
April 10, 2021
At the beginning of the story we meet Miss Opal Pruitt and her family in 1936 Georgia. Opal and her family live on a small street in an area called Colored Town on the outskirts of Parsons. Opal’s extended family are hard working and content with their lives. Some are financially better off than others, but they are all generous and truly love and care for each other. There is no jealousy or envy.
Opal in particular is content as a housekeeper and works for a Caucasian woman called Miss Peggy along with her Granny. Miss Peggy treats them with love and respect and considers them family. Opal is proud of her domestic abilities, she has a reputation for doing her job extremely well. Her uncle would like her to continue her education in order to obtain a “career” position and not be dependent on Miss Peggy for fair wages and treatment.
At a mere 17, Opal is happy and content with her life and doesn’t want for more. Then two boys begin to take an interest in her and she experiences feelings she has never felt before. She doesn’t consider herself beautiful but everyone around her does.
The KKK and white supremacy are everywhere. Prejudices threatens the town folks peaceful existence as well as their livelihood. After a violent attack, the community congregates and decides to take action. They visit the sheriff and explore possibilities to stop the violence. During a KKK attack the community did as their preacher asked at their Sunday sermon and stayed in their homes as their barns and chicken coops burned. After a personal attack, the men in particular are having a difficult time with taking no action and turning the other cheek. They fiercely want to protect their women and families.
The end of the story is the crescendo. It didn’t go as I’d hoped it would, but realistically it probably couldn’t have gone any other way. I loved Opal and her entire family. Miss Lovenia and Miss Peggy were the best. So many loving caring people, no family jealousy or envy over haves and have nots. Just straight up love and affection is refreshing.
When prejudice shows it’s ugly head it spoils a loving situation and brings tragedy. Truly a heartfelt story. I enjoyed the timeframe, post slavery but still at a time when there were many injustices against blacks. The depiction of the time and stage was gorgeously done. I couldn’t put this book down. I wanted to follow the characters into the next chapter. I hated that it was over. Solid 5 stars
Opal in particular is content as a housekeeper and works for a Caucasian woman called Miss Peggy along with her Granny. Miss Peggy treats them with love and respect and considers them family. Opal is proud of her domestic abilities, she has a reputation for doing her job extremely well. Her uncle would like her to continue her education in order to obtain a “career” position and not be dependent on Miss Peggy for fair wages and treatment.
At a mere 17, Opal is happy and content with her life and doesn’t want for more. Then two boys begin to take an interest in her and she experiences feelings she has never felt before. She doesn’t consider herself beautiful but everyone around her does.
The KKK and white supremacy are everywhere. Prejudices threatens the town folks peaceful existence as well as their livelihood. After a violent attack, the community congregates and decides to take action. They visit the sheriff and explore possibilities to stop the violence. During a KKK attack the community did as their preacher asked at their Sunday sermon and stayed in their homes as their barns and chicken coops burned. After a personal attack, the men in particular are having a difficult time with taking no action and turning the other cheek. They fiercely want to protect their women and families.
The end of the story is the crescendo. It didn’t go as I’d hoped it would, but realistically it probably couldn’t have gone any other way. I loved Opal and her entire family. Miss Lovenia and Miss Peggy were the best. So many loving caring people, no family jealousy or envy over haves and have nots. Just straight up love and affection is refreshing.
When prejudice shows it’s ugly head it spoils a loving situation and brings tragedy. Truly a heartfelt story. I enjoyed the timeframe, post slavery but still at a time when there were many injustices against blacks. The depiction of the time and stage was gorgeously done. I couldn’t put this book down. I wanted to follow the characters into the next chapter. I hated that it was over. Solid 5 stars
March 10, 2021
Opal Pruitt is the star of this book. The book is set in 1930s Georgia in a small town called Parsons. The town is divided into the white section and the section named Colored Town. Opal lives in Colortown along with her Granny. They both work for a white household in Parsons as cook/housekeeper(s). This is a coming of age story that also deals with racial issues.
Racial relations are very strained. Definitely black and white. The KKK makes its presence known, with no compassionate thoughts towards its targets. There is an unwritten code of conduct within Colored Town when it comes to dealing with the KKK.
Opal understands her place in society but longs for a sense of betterment, she does not want to keep house for someone as a lifetime career. Because she works for a white family, she has developed a good relationship with them.
Every character in this story stands out. Opal's family of Granny, uncles and cousins are fiercely loyal and protective of each other. There are good characters and bad characters. They are equally well portrayed.
This book has many themes: friendship, loyalty, family, strength, hope and the power of a close community.
The ending is very dramatic and emotional.
Ms. Jackson- Brown's style of writing drew me right into the story. I felt as if I was living among the characters. There were some beautiful descriptive passages. This book will stay with me for a long time.
While The Stars Rain Down is classified as Historical Fiction, I believe that a sub-classification could be Young Adult Fiction. There is a lot to be learned from reading this book.
I want to thank my Goodreads friend, Shelley (Book Nook), for giving a compelling review for this book that led me to reading it.
The quote I liked from this book:
“White folks always thinking they know what’s best for Colored folks, then when they mess up, they try to act all sorry.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Racial relations are very strained. Definitely black and white. The KKK makes its presence known, with no compassionate thoughts towards its targets. There is an unwritten code of conduct within Colored Town when it comes to dealing with the KKK.
Opal understands her place in society but longs for a sense of betterment, she does not want to keep house for someone as a lifetime career. Because she works for a white family, she has developed a good relationship with them.
Every character in this story stands out. Opal's family of Granny, uncles and cousins are fiercely loyal and protective of each other. There are good characters and bad characters. They are equally well portrayed.
This book has many themes: friendship, loyalty, family, strength, hope and the power of a close community.
The ending is very dramatic and emotional.
Ms. Jackson- Brown's style of writing drew me right into the story. I felt as if I was living among the characters. There were some beautiful descriptive passages. This book will stay with me for a long time.
While The Stars Rain Down is classified as Historical Fiction, I believe that a sub-classification could be Young Adult Fiction. There is a lot to be learned from reading this book.
I want to thank my Goodreads friend, Shelley (Book Nook), for giving a compelling review for this book that led me to reading it.
The quote I liked from this book:
“White folks always thinking they know what’s best for Colored folks, then when they mess up, they try to act all sorry.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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