Toning the Sweep

by Angela Johnson

Angela Johnson's Coretta Scott King Award winning novel that traces three generations of African American women as they learn one another's truths.

Three generations of African American women, each holding on to a separate truth. Their story—encompassing racism and murder as well as the family commonplaces that make a life—is one that readers will never forget.

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, African American, Coming Of Age, Middle Grade, Family

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Angela Johnson is the author of the Coretta Scott King Honor picture book When I Am Old with You; as well as A Sweet Smell of Roses, illustrated by Eric Velasquez; Just Like Josh Gibson, illustrated by Beth Peck; and I Dream of Trains, which was also illustrated by Loren Long. She has won three Coretta Scott King Awards, one each for her novels Heaven, Toning the Sweep, and The First Part Last. In recognition of her outstanding talent, Angela was named a 2003 MacArthur Fellow. She lives in Kent, Ohio.

Reviews

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my absolute favorite children's book. Read it carefully so that you don't miss the deep ideas in this eloquent and simply written easy read. I think it was 1993 when I read it for the first time with my class of 4th graders. I've read it at least 15 times since then. I enjoy sharing it with my students when I really have time to show them the beauty of this book. I also shared it with my adult book club. They were impressed by our heavy discussion of a "children's book".

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story of three generations (a girl, her mother, and her grandmother) coming together. Beautiful to see growth and discoveries of Emmie (the girl) through the story.

[Deandre Quarless · Rating 5 out of 5]

All your life has you ever read or seen a book that you can relate to in some way, for instance a book that’s eye popping and caught all your attention when you seen it. That’s what had happened when I saw the book Toning the Sweep by Angela Johnson, the rich colorful book cover that explained so much about the book and how much daring it would be to read.

Everyone in their life they’ve have been attached to and have a strong connection with someone whether it’s a friend or family. Family is a big theme throughout the story: one of the main protagonists in story was Ola the mother/grandmother, had lost her husband (he had died from a shooting after buying a new car in 1964) Ola had then left the house they owned together moved to the desert. Three years later their daughter Diane had moved away to Cleveland, Ohio: she then had a daughter named Emily who is currently 14 at the time. Ola had been diagnosed with cancer in which she didn’t want any medications she just wanted to die gracefully without any medical care: cause of that Diane didn’t like it caused her to be emotional and didn’t want to cope with the fact that her Ola was doing that. Reason for me saying that because I can relate to the story in some ways, I love this book so much because it shows and explains a lot about the three females in how they interact with each other: they were there for Ola when she needed them most it shows that family is family no matter what. Though families have their ups and downs they always get past it and make up for the lost time and that’s what the family did in the story.

[Litsplaining]

I remember picking this book up while waiting for my brother's djembe lesson to be over when I was about eight or so right in the African Bookstore where our lessens were held in the 90s. I never got a chance to finish the book until today.

Johnson's book would make a great quick read if you're a lover of J. California Cooper or even Bernice McFadden books.

[Carolynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily with her mother is helping her grandmother, Ola, who is living with terminal cancer, pack up her house in the desert Southwest so that she can move to Cleveland to live with Emily and her parents. Because she is grieving for the loss of the house in the desert, and all her grandmother's friends there, she films Ola and her friends to make a memory for her grandmother. In the process she learns about the death of her grandfather in Alabama during the Civil Rights era.
This is an exceptional book, beautifully written.

[Whitney Priestley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a fast read, only 103 pages long, yet there was so much depth to it. I was really surprised on how developed each character was even though it was a short book. This book is written and published for young adults, but I felt like I was reading a much more mature book. I found this one to be very refreshing from the more common young adult books. I felt like this was more real and simple yet captivating. I really did enjoy the book.

WARNINGS: There are none.

[Darcia Scates · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book. It read like a diary, and then tried to be general fiction. The changes were not enjoyable. I would not be proud of this book and I am not likely to knowingly pick up another book written by this author. The Coretta Scott King committee passed over several other good books to choose this one ? Disappointed.

[Patrice M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story about the resolution of grief and life changes. Reading this now in the time of so many Covid#19 deaths, it seems especially poignant since we cannot follow our usual rituals to see off those who have passed.
Toning the sweep rang the spirit on, and was a way to say goodbye and put the dead to rest.
This line on pg. 87 rang true in this time of isolation and fear of illness, Emmie's grandma, Ola says about her cancer
"Emmie baby. I have cancer. It's not a retribution or a curse put on me by spirit I can't see. There's no morality involved. Any disease that kills people and makes them and the people they love suffer is just that, a horrible disease. Nothing else."

[Miriam Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love is a given among the three generations of women in this family, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t without challenges. As Emmie and her mom help Ola, Emmie’s grandma, pack up to leave her home in the desert, the losses of both older women unfurl. Ola lost her husband to the violence of southern racism. Emmie’s Mom lost her father and was followed by her trauma to the desert where she grew up. Surrounded by loving friends, Emmie makes a video and from behind the camera comes to better understand her ancestors.

The narrator is by a teenager but it isn’t about romance or sexuality and would be appropriate and interesting for most 4th graders.

[Julie Trapp · Rating 2 out of 5]

Emily and her mom have gone to bring her grandmother back to live with them as she is dying of cancer. They go thru her home and find stuff, give away stuff and Emily discover secrets she did not know about her grandparents and her mother. One of her grandmother's friends lends her a movie camera and she records everything - people talking, eating, reading, doing nothing, objects - to have a record of her grandmother's life. Kind of a boring story. Had to look it up on Google to know what "toning the sweep" was. Eh!? Short, thankfully, and not Johnson's best effort.

[Carolyn Jeziorski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explores the relationships between three generations of women. Ennis and her mom travel to the California desert to help her grandmother pack up her things; she has cancer and is going to stay back in Ohio with them. As the book unfolds, we learn about the personal tragedies that shaped each character’s life. The supporting characters are also interesting...Martha, the aunts, David. This short book deals with some heavy emotions.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Angela Johnson's poetic prose always leaves me feeling refreshed. Her books tackle tough topics in a way that doesn't overwhelm the reader but allows them to experience all that the main character does. In Toning the Sweep, I loved being in Emmie's head as she helped her grandmother, Ola, pack to move from the desert to Cleveland for cancer treatment. Johnson's books always look small but pack a powerful punch.

[Satori Schroeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was fantastic! Even though it’s short, the extensive explanation of what Emily goes through when moving her grandma and the secrets uncovered are truly memorable. It truly shows how close a community can be!

[Zakiya Murdock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up at a middle school I worked at, and I’m so glad that I did. Beautifully written with strong characters and a descriptive setting. Sad yet warm. I felt very connected to this book and I understood the characters and their feelings. A book about 3 generations, grieving and healing together.

[Haley Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, soft novel that read like a series of vignettes, about mourning & family & women.

[Therese · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prose is beautiful and the characters feel very real.

[Jennifer Altom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful YA realistic fiction. Main character believes she's learning about her grandmother and mother, but she's really learning about herself and building bridges.

[tei hurst · Rating 3 out of 5]

i’m gonna need to reread to try and find more of the depth, but this was beautiful

[Tonja, · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this novel!!!!

[Amos Ban · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good it had a layout of the story.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characters are endearing. This is a thought-provoking novel which allows the reader to reflect on the plot but at times requires the reader to add to it. The theme of toning the sweep was subtle and felt almost like an afterthought.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really quick read and would be excellent for youth. A simple story about three generations of women and their families.

[SaraKat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was really interesting. The young protagonist explores her relationships with her mother and grandmother. The three generations have so many things in common, but some differences keep them apart as well. I picked this one because I had to know what toning a sweep was. Now I do. :) I liked how Emmie decided that she needed to finally say goodbye to her grandfather, though she never knew him as anything more than a black and white photograph.

[Blue North · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toning The Sweep by Angela Johnson
I loved the characters in "Toning The Sweep" by Angela Johnson. There is Emmie, the main character. She is visiting her Grandma Ola in the California desert. She and her mom have come all the way from Alabama. Oddly, Ola's daughter, Diane, does not get along with her mother. When both of these women are in the same room, there is tension due to past emotional pain. Emmie finds no problem with Ola. She love her and likes identifying with her by wearing her hats and scarfs. She also slowly drives Ola's car out of the drive with the hood down feeling the desert wind around her. Another way for just a moment to pretend she is her Grandmother. Soon, Emmie begins to take pictures with a camera than a camcorder. She listens and watches Ola and the aunts talk about mundane or important happenings in their lives. Emmie has a good time. She also learns a lot about life like all pain can not be cured with a bandaide. Some pain hurts so badly people take pills. She also thinks about her grandfather. Her grandfather is no longer living. This causes her to think and and talk to her friend, David, about ancestors, rituals, etc. There is so much in this small book. I loved it.

[Robin Seeker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angela Johnson expertly weaves the interconnecting story of three generations of women in the same family through the voice of the protagonist, Emmie, the granddaughter. The present story of Ola, the grandmother, dealing with her cancer and preparing to move across the country to live with her daughter and granddaughter progresses by being told through stories from the past that are voiced through other minor characters. The setting of the desert is fluid and ever-changing, mirroring the three main characters in the text. Throughout the telling of the other stories, the three main characters struggle to reconcile their relationships with each other and face the uncertain future together.

The book, Toning the Sweep, exemplifies the bond that exists between family, the loyalty and duty that comes with being a part of a family and how the past shapes our relationships. Furthermore, the text vividly illustrates the fluid nature of relationships as life's circumstances change. The author shows through her poetic words that the bonds of family run deep and transcend blood lineage.

[Rachel Parker · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about a fourteen year old girl named Emmie who has gone to California to help her Grandmother Ola. Ola has been diagnosed with cancer so Emmie and her mother have decided that Ola should move in with their family. The story takes place while the women pack up all of Ola's belongings in her home. Emmie takes this time to take an old video camera and record people around town talk about Ola. How they met her, what she is like, how she has changed their lives etc. Through this process Emmie not only learns a lot about Ola, but learns about death and life.

Overall I thought this book was pretty good. It was a little slow and a little predictable, but it was an alright read. For me it showed how important life is and leaving memories and a legacy behind when you leave. It also showed me that we need to get to know our extended family while they are still around. I also learned another point of view of what happens when someone dies and how to handle death.

[Bobby Parker · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is about a young black girl who travels with her mom to the desert in order to pick up her grandma so she can live with them. Her grandma is dying of cancer but this story focuses on the young girl and her coming to terms and learning things about her family (mostly her grandmother and mother that she didn't know. She meets her grandma's friends and finds out things about her grandfather and about her mother and grandmother's relationship.

I am not the world's most gun ho reader but I absolutely couldn't stand this book. It didn't keep my attention and was so slow. I couldn't relate to it and I had to read it bit by bit. I thought for sure I'd be able to sit down and read it in one sitting because it's so short but I couldn't handle it.

[Jodi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have no idea what toning the sweep means after reading the book. It was a interesting story about life, love and death. Ola has cancer and is leaving a life she built for herself after her husband's death. Her daughter resented the move and was never happy in the desert. The daughter finds peace in the end with the help of her daughter. The parts of the book that I liked were:
When I came to the desert, I was running away from everything I had thought was safe and familiar.
There's nothing like violence and hate. It's ugly and it never leaves you. Moma rages plenty and bleeds inside. She has a temper and would rather be angry than happy.

[Precious · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toning The Sweep is about a young girl named Emily trying to understand herself and the world around her. For as long as she can remember she would visit her grandmother Ola in the desert ,but when she is diagnosed with cancer she made the decision to move to Cleveland with her daughter. As the family is at Ola's to help pack Emily gets the idea to videotape the farewell. She gets shots of all the friends Ola made in the desert along with the stories of the their journey's together. because of the stories I believe she gained more of an insight into the person she once looked up to and in the end brought her closer to her mother and to herself.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you grew up with grandparents that you visited regularly in a different town from yours, then there probably came a time in your life when your grandparents passed away or were no longer able to live on their own--so you lost a beloved person and a beloved place at the same time. This short book (about 100 pages) tells the story of a fourteen year-old girl from Cleveland who is going through that loss as she helps her grandmother, who has cancer, pack up her house in the California desert. Kind of a quiet story with little action, but in this case still waters actually do run deep.