The $66 Summer: A Novel of the Segregated South

by John Armistead

It’s the summer of 1955 when thirteen-year-old George Harrington arrives in Obadiah, Alabama, to work in his grandmother’s store to save money for a motorcycle. Esther Garrison, who has just graduated from the eighth grade at Obadiah Colored School, also works at the store, saving money to attend high school in the fall. Her brother Bennett’s job is not as desirable as his sister’s—he works for a surly white farmer, Mr. Vorhise, who raises fighting dogs. An unusual trio—George is white; Esther and Bennett are black—they spend their time roaming the countryside together, fishing and searching for outlaw treasure. On these excursions, conversation often turns to Esther and Bennett’s father, Staple, who mysteriously vanished four years ago. When George, Esther, and Bennett stumble onto chilling evidence that explains the mystery of Staple’s disappearance, a current of racism ruptures their idyllic summer and forces the three friends to confront the hate that surrounds them. Well-crafted and poignant, The $66 Summer brings home both the horrible realities of the segregated South and the power of friendship.

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1900

About the author

John Armistead, an ordained minister, is an award-winning author, artist, and journalist. He holds degrees from Mississippi College, the University of Mississippi, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

"I have been writing fiction since high school," said Armistead, "and painting since childhood."

Armistead began formal studio training in Mobile when he was eight years old, working in pastels and oils. He continued art studies through college, and in recent years has participated in master's classes taught by Everett Raymond Kinstler at the Lyme Academy of Fine Art in Old Lyme, Connecticut, the Art Student's League of New York, and the National Academy of Design in New York City. The influence of Kinstler, the country's foremost painter of five U.S. presidents and over 50 cabinet members, is increasingly evident in his work.

Armistead, born in 1941, began publishing short stories and articles during the 1970s, but did not publish his first novel until 1994.

"I have always loved stories," said Armistead. "Like every Southern writer of my generation, I remember sitting on the front porch and hearing my great-aunts and grandmother talk of people and events from long past days. I can also remember beginning to make up my own stories, daydreaming, as it were, when I was in grammar school. That's still the way I make up stories today."

Armistead is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, the Authors Guild, the National Association of Independent Artists, the Portrait Society of America, and the Harley Owners Group (HOG).

Armistead is the author of three mystery novels and two novels for teen-agers, and hundreds of his paintings hang in museums and homes throughout the country.

He lives with his family in Tupelo, Mississippi.

"There is a quote from Pliny cherished by both artists and writers, 'Nulla dies sine linea,'" said Armistead. "It means, 'Never a day without a line.' That's my credo too. For me, it applies to both writing and art."

Reviews

[Marten Wennik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book over a year ago and just came across it again. I found this book to be a compelling story about exposure to segregation. This was a well-written account of life in the US. I would certainly recommend this book to young and old readers alike.

[Julie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a young adult, but I really, really liked this book! Great for our soon-to-be 13-y.o. friend, Dylan. Bought directly from Milkweed Editions, with my lifelong discount. :>D

Good plot, characterization, tension, and believable to boot for 1955-era Alabama. Armistead knows his stuff - makes me want to read his other books and novels.

[Zhenhao Ren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really recommend this book to people who like action stories because this story contain all sorts of actions. When it mentioned in the story that Mr. Vorhise is keeping people away form the dead oak tree at all costs i start to make connections of this to Staples disappearance. When George,Esther, and Bennett have discovered whats under the dead oak tree i knew that Mr. Vorhise won't go to jail for killing a black person because they're in the segregated south. At the end I finally know why every time aunt Hoosilla doesn't need to pay for groceries because aunt Hoosilla had saved George's grandma when she's little during a fire where aunt Hoosilla barely have any hair, and lost an eye afterwards.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this was a great book. George is 13 and spends the summer in Obediah, Alabama to work for his grandmother. His two best friends there are black and he learns that justice is not the same for blacks and whites. This book clearly describes the segregation and racism that existed at that time. It is also an engaging adventure story.

[SJane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this better than I thought I would at the beginning. The resolution was relatively predictable, but it unfolded in a way that kept me looking forward to picking it up. The Grade 8 characters were complex enough to be interesting and were true to their age. Another good one from Milkweed.

[Chey · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic mystery of the segration in the south.good for the soul book.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I might have found this really interesting when I was a kid, but it doesn't hold my attention as an adult as well as some children's books do.