Spite Fences

by Trudy Krisher

Thirteen-year-old Maggie Pugh has lived in Kinship, Georgia, all her life. In all that time almost nothing has changed. If you are poor, you live on the west side of town. If you are rich, you live on the hill in the north end and get to go boating at the country club in Troy. If you are white you use one bathroom at Byer's Drugs and if you are colored you use another.

All that starts to change in the summer of 1960. It is the summer when Maggie's younger sister, Gardenia, triumphs in the Hayes County Little Miss Contest. It is the summer when Maggie must decide whether or not to tell anyone about the horrible thing she saw. Most of all it's the summer of Maggie's first camera, a tool that becomes a way for her to find independence and a different kind of truth.

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Historical Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Trudy Krisher has a reputation as a talented writer who does not hesitate to explore sensitive issues. She grew up in the South like her heroines Maggie, in Spite Fences, and Pert, in Kinship. Born in Macon, Georgia in 1946, she was raised in South Florida.

Trudy graduated from the College of William and Mary with a B.A. in English and received her Masters degree from The College of New Jersey. She has three grown children: Laura, Kathy, and Mark. Trudy Krisher lives in Dayton, Ohio, where she is a Professor at Sinclair Community College.

Trudy has won many awards for her writing. They include Best Book for Young Adults selections of the American Library Association; International Reading Association Award; The Jefferson Cup Honor Book of the Virginia Library Association; Parents’ Choice Honor Book; Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award; Amelia Bloomer Project Recommendation; Bank Street Children’s Book of the Year; and Capitol Choice Book.

Reviews

[Pramudith Rupasinghe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happened to read this as I found this in my shelves. Once I started, I could not put this page turner down. What a story. Well written. It tool me on a virtual journey across my time in Southern part of Africa.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

How I Came To Read This Book: In grade 9 we had to do a book report every month, which resulted in me getting to buy a new book every month. Thus began my book-buying obsession. Actually that probably started with the Scholastic book orders in elementary school.

The Plot: Maggie is a newly minted teenager living in Georgia, that is used to a certain kind of living that divides the rich and the poor, the whites and the blacks. However, she also happens to be living in 1960, when things are starting to be shaken up in Georgia. While negotiating her way through a revolutionary world, she’s also coming of age after witnessing something horrible – and having to decide what to do about it.

The Good & The Bad: This is a pretty powerful way to showcase both the human rights movements of the 1960s and various other life lessons for young teens. This book has stuck with me through the years and it’s only recently I’ve decided to give it away. Having only read it once in grade 9 I recall many of the details quite clearly, and being amazed that all of the things that happened in this book could happen. Canadians are somewhat sheltered from the prejudices and segregation that used to occur in the USA, so reading a book like this (which is way more interesting, modern, and relevant than ‘Underground to Canada’) is a great way to encourage family debate and discussion about these topics. The book isn’t a monumental piece of writing by any means, but it reads almost like a slightly easier read of a piece of adult literary fiction about a child who goes through what Maggie goes through.

The Bottom Line: A worthwhile way to introduce human rights education into a young person’s life.

Anything Memorable?: Nope

50-Book Challenge?: Nope

[Shanda Braithwaite · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would say 3.5 stars. It is a good story showing racial tension in the deep south shortly after desegregation. This book was on our local school districts banned book list and a book club chose to read it. It has some disturbing abuse and subject matter but was a well written book about a very serious period in american history. It is written for young adults and would definitely show them a very different view than the lives they are used to on a level of racial equality, but also just as having good parents that are decent human beings. I still wouldn't want my daughter to read this though.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't be put off by the fact this is a youth/teen book. It's a wonderfully written story with totally believable characters. It's one of the best books I've read this year.

[Jeanette "Josie" Cook M.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a talented writer with such passion for the land, the people, and small communities--she weaves a lovely story with history, pain, success while telling the inner story of young girl and her own struggles with her family ties and what she really feels and wants from life.

I didn't want this one to end, and I am still thinking about her characters with their lives before them in this community of racial struggles. Krisher creates a real village of people that interact with such emotion and feelings about what they believe in, what is told to them, and what they are dreaming of happening soon.

This book is powerful as it relates to what we are seeing now in our world and what we are hearing about on the local news. It is sad that this is making a come up and it probably never left us but was hidden deeply from some of us that find it so ugly. Through Maggie Pugh's eyes, the reader sees what is happening and also feels what she has inside her soul. With the help of her close friends like Pert, Maggie survives a lot and accomplishes so much with others throwing hate her way. This is Maggie's story in a time of crisis, fighting, and racial struggles. She keeps going after many setbacks and keeps her head held high.

George Hardy becomes Maggie's saving soul as she gets to know this secretive man. She wants him to accomplish his goals. While all along, Maggie feels torn about her connections to him as her own mother turns against her. Maggie's sister is a focal point between them. Gardenia is more fragile than Maggie and also represents beauty to their mother. 1960 becomes a year to remember for this family that is struggling with each other, their community, and not having enough money to run their household unless Maggie can keep working her magic. Maggie's camera becomes a unique tool for her to use daily as she uncovers so much hate. However, she also captures some deeply touching moments in these lives.

There is a strong sense of place inside these pages along with a cast of characters that the reader is drawn to in many ways, even though some of them can be very mean, stupid, and set in their ways. The wisdom inside this cover is brilliant and the story is so well-crafted!

[Andy Crane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time when I was in college. This was my second read through, and I appreciated it more this time around. Good writing on a difficult subject matter. I'm planning on teaching this book, as it's good for symbolism and figurative language, with excellent cross-curricular potential. There's an attempted rape and physical abuse, but if you object to that and not the racially-motivated violence in the book (time-period appropriate), then there's a problem.
I would have liked to have seen this story told from a POC point of view, but it's a decent read as it stands.

[Pat Eroh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book on the injustice of the 1960s and is well-written with the characters coming alive to become as real as you and me. An amazing little girl Maggie is such a strong person and the story will keep you reading to the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[flightyinagoodway · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author's writing style reminds me of To Kill A Mockingbird. A good story line and interesting characters. Will tug at your emotions.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gerald Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and well written. Reveals the darkness of prejudice. I'm surprised no movie has been made from this good story.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

How had I never heard of this book before? Great read, meant for young adults. The injustice in this book had me fuming. Gives a relatable view into desegregation in Georgia.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Powerful book. Some intense scenes.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read about a caring girl being raised by a nasty and miserable racist.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good YA! The author uses literary elements to create a compelling story that is not neat and tidy or pretentiously melodramatic. Worthwhile!

[Donna · Rating 1 out of 5]

ZEKE: I gave Maggie a camera so she can take down what she sees in this town. I also gave her a job to work for George Hardy. Oh and I am black!

MAGGIE: OMG, last summer I saw many horrible things! Us whites are beating up blacks. How awful! :O How can people not know of it? I am digusted. Hmmm.. I should tell no one now and let this memory haunt me forever. Oooo I better work for this George Hardy now. Cleaning his house is no biggie :D I am a poor white girl. Mama forces me to work!

MRS PUGH (AKA MOTHER OF MAGGIE): I love Gardenia way better than my older daughter, Maggie. Little Gardenia has the looks. I am so obsessed in her winning the beauty contest! I'll just force Maggie off to work. Money is needed. Ah yes money money money.

MR PUGH: family is depressing. stupid wife, takes over everything!

GARDENIA: Why is mother so obsessed with my beauty?

MR HARDY: I am Black, but I am very smart, educated. Soon I will guide Maggie into realization of this ugly world.

MAGGIE: Oh no! Mr. Hardy is black but he's a very intelligent man. I am not racist but mother would surely mind. I should keep it as a secret from her and still work for Hardy. We are in need of money.

VIRGIL: I know of every dirty secret in this town, fellos. I lead my gang to abuse the blacks. Hell yes I am a violent lil white man. Onwards with the racism! Maggie has a nice body btw. Hmm... I want to rape her.

MAGGIE: Stay away from Virgil! He does awful things and attempted to rape me. Oh, my poor body ):

MRS PUGH: O-M-G everything in Kinship, Georgia is driving me crazy! Virgil and his ugly family. I do care about Maggie. That's it, we're setting up fences!

MR PUGH: I set fences. But then spiteful people in the town uglied it!

MAGGIE: Mom discovered that I work for Hardy and now she's mad :((( Im a bad girl. And they caught me partying with the black people! I am doomed!

MR HARDY: No dear, Maggie. Tell us what you've seen last summer. Tell the court. We shall fight this together. This spite... everyone in this town is setting up spites against one another. It's time to end this segregation!! Come to court and tell what you have witnessed. We should all be building bridge, not fences. Let's create a strong future.

-----

oh and I forgot PERT.

PERT: Hi Im pert and I am Maggie's best friend, a white. We go through everything together.

-----

I summarized the whole book above ^ Yeh yeh, I am poking fun if some of you find their quotes out of character. But in end, that's what happened in the book. BIG SPOILER.

I hated the book. EW. It's powerful and all, but it's one of those typical books for young people...let them realize how prejudices can be so strong....etc.

Lesson learned. Bye!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I picked up this book, I thought it would be too young for me. After all, I'm too old to be reading books about 13-year-olds. But I'm so glad I decided to read it.

The author must have done her research. The detail in this book is clear and paints a picture of the town in which these characters live. It's one of those stereotypical Southern towns, where the people are stubbern and segregation is taken for granted as a way of life. It's 1960, and desegregation is sweeping the nation. But Kinship Georgia won't give it up without a fight. One teenager makes friends with one of the main players in the movement and finds herself in the middle of events that must be based on the real ones that occurred in 1960 in the South.
I would recommend this book to those of you who love history and enjoy(or don't mind) young adult. The only reason I have to give it 4 stars and not five is that I was confused about the timeline in which things happen. The majority of the book takes place in the present Summer, but there are certain events(two in particular) that are discussed frequently. I think the author could have done a better job of making her timeline clear.

[Kelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently found this book on a used bookstore website and ordered it. I first read it when I was 12 or 13 and remember reading it a few times back then. I’ve thought about it quite a bit over the years and finally found a good copy to order. I just finished rereading it and it was like reliving a good memory. I remember why I loved this book and read it so many times. The heroine is someone I can admire, even at 13 years old. The story covers a huge range of topics, and even someone not from the southern US and who didn’t grow up in that era can relate and a young teen female. And the issues you can’t relate to, you can certainly learn from. Such a good book.
I think it’s great for young people to read and not shy away from these topics. You can see from the news recently that the issues are not outdated and still relevant.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any words I write fall short of Trudy Krisher's outstanding book, Spite Fences.
It is a very compelling story evoking a range of emotions in me. Krisher expertly captures the 1960's Jim Crow south in this coming of age story of a 13 year old white girl. Many relationships are portrayed- familial, neighbors, and inter/intra racial. The role of a camera in its figurative relationship to the story and literal relationship to Maggie is important to the story.
I recommended this book when I recently learned about it. Now that I've read it I give it a stronger and enthusiastic endorsement. It would make a a good selection for book groups as well as "One book, one community" events.
The role of the fence reminded me of August Wilson's play Fences. I had the opportunity to meet him and he signed my Playbill with these words, "May all your Fences have gates". Maggie found her gate.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this book for my adolescent fiction class. I loved it! Very dramatic and emotional. I grew very attached to the characters. It really represents the coming of age of a young girl who realizes that all the racism and hatred in her town wasn't the way to live. It also deals with PTSD because Maggie couldn't remember the event that happened to a friend who she watched violently beaten.. She didn't want to remember it. It also describes the story of a budding photographer who uses her pictures to freeze time and show others the violence and hatred that is going on in the world. I highly recommend this book.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this book years ago, but only got maybe half way through. I think I was a bit too young for it at the time, and didn't know what to expect. I've wanted to find this book again for years now, but couldn't remember the title or author. I finally found it after much searching. Not a bad book. I'd say it was worth finding it again.

[Gay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A teenage white girl befriends a older black man who encourages her and changes her life. It is a sad look at prejudice and poverty. Well-written and recommended.

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am not to far into it and at first it was really boring and really hard to get into it but now it os starting to become good!!

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

A better racial story than Black Like Me...

[Belladova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good details in this book. I recommend it for anyone who needs to know what being equal means; and yet what it takes to be independent.

[Hannah Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME!!! Great story.

[Juliablack]

It was amazing!

[Suzanneli4653 · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far it is a good book.

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trigger warning: physical abuse, sexual assault, racial slurs