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White Lilacs
Young Rose Lee Jefferson is shocked to learn that the white residents of Dillon, Texas, want to raze the city’s black enclave, Freedomtown, and build a park in its place. Rose Lee and the other residents of Freedomtown cannot bear the thought of losing their homes. But fighting the city’s plans could be costly—or even life threatening. Will the families of Freedomtown be able to save their thriving community?
Includes a reader's guide.
242 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1993
34 people are currently reading
642 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Meyer
112 books1,088 followersCarolyn Meyer is as versatile a writer as you will find. Along with historical fiction and realistic novels for young adults she has written nonfiction for young adults and books for younger readers on topics as diverse as the Amish, the Irish, Japanese, Yup'ik Eskimos, a rock band, rock tumbling, bread baking, and coconuts. And ten of her books have been chosen as Best Books for Young Adults by the American Library Association. In her most recent historical novels she has dealt with the young lives of Mary Tudor, Princess Elizabeth, Anastasia, and Isabel of Castilla, Spain.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
October 23, 2008
Well written and interesting to read a story based about something that happened in Denton, Tx.
February 7, 2017
Though the white residents of Dillon, Texas look down upon the more impoverished black community of Freedomtown, young Rose Lee Jefferson finds she's had a pretty content life for the most part, thank you very much. Freedomtown was built during the post-Civil War Reconstruction Era. It sits on a flood plain so the walkways might get a bit messy now and then, but as Rose points out, the community has pretty much everything a person could want: a school, church, general store & cafe, boarding house, mortuary, even a Masonic Lodge. Her father runs Freedom's barbershop, while Rose and all the rest of her family (on her mother's side, that is) are employed within various positions at the estate of the wealthy & white Thomas and Eunice Bell.
Everything changes for Rose and the community of Freedom one night in 1921. Though she normally helps her grandfather in the Bell's garden, Rose is called into the dining room to cover for her pregnant cousin Cora, who suddenly takes ill that night. Eunice Bell is having a dinner party with some of her gal pals and there's some pretty comedic scenes at this point in the story as Rose tries her best to navigate new terrain among the fine serving dishes and the whole "be seen but not heard" requirement. She gets flustered at the process of when to bring out what dish, but her aunt just shrugs and replies, "White folks use a lot of dishes. You get used to it."
But the air in the room changes once Rose overhears the ladies talking about the plan to raze Freedomtown to the ground and put a community park in its place. Thomas Bell holds a position on Dillon City Council, so he would be in the know, but this is the first anyone from Freedom has heard of these plans! When one of Eunice's friends, Emily Firth visiting from Philadelphia, pipes up to voice her opposition to this news, Eunice responds with the unbelievably demeaning comment, "Our negroes here are childlike." She continues on to say they should be positively delighted to have something new and shiny in their lives, giving the impression that Eunice has no concept of the idea of attachment to community. That sense of "it might be rough around the edges, but it's mine!"
Rose carries the news home to the other residents of Freedomtown. She's then reluctantly thrust into the center of the drama once it's decided that she will continue to cover for her cousin, Cora, as maid / dining room staff. Rose's father explains that this will put her in the perfect position to spy and gather more and more information as the project progresses, hopefully giving the residents of Freedomtown an idea of how to fight back. Rose's older brother Henry also gets caught up in the fight, professing that as a World War 1 veteran, he's fought for this country and deserves better than this kind of treatment. He goes so far as to promise that if Freedomtown is destroyed, he will give up this country altogether and move to Africa. While some residents echo his sentiments, others feel it would be useless to fight, that the wealthy, white residents of Dillon just have too much power and will inevitably get whatever they want.
Those that are hesitant to fight admit that they'd likely be willing to move if given fair dollar for their properties within Freedomtown. But further doubts arise on this front when rumors begin that the spot the mayor of Dillon is looking at for relocation seems to be The Flats, a swampy, marsh-like area of town that no one in their right mind would want to populate.
Tensions hit a boiling point the night of the Juneteenth celebration. Henry is caught, tarred and feathered. There's a KKK march through the streets of Freedomtown, ending in a burning cross being left on the lawn of Freedom's church. Later on, when Emily Firth continues to stand up for the mistreatment of this community, she is essentially run out of town.
This book's recommended age says 10-14 years, but the reader is presented with some graphic scenarios -- aside from Henry's tar & feathering and the KKK marches, a school is also set on fire to send a message. So there is some disturbing imagery for young readers, but the message and the history behind this novel is very valid and important. Author Carolyn Meyer includes a note at the end explaining that while this story is fictional, as far as the characters and plot, it IS inspired by the very real history of Quakertown, a black community within the town of Denton, Texas (where Meyer herself previously resided) that suffered a similar fate as that of the fictional Freedomtown. Note though, once you read the history of Quakertown, you'll likely recognize quite a bit of the real history illustrated here and there throughout the story of Freedomtown and its residents!
As far as the actual plot and its pacing, honestly this is not the most riveting read out there ... but Rose is a very sweet, honest character and slow though the story might seem, Meyer does pull you in enough to want to hear Rose's story and meet her family and neighbors in Freedomtown. The importance of this book is the history it exposes you to -- though ficitionally presented, it is based in truth you need to read. The past can be painful at times, but we can't be afraid to look it in the eye if we ever hope to improve our future.
Everything changes for Rose and the community of Freedom one night in 1921. Though she normally helps her grandfather in the Bell's garden, Rose is called into the dining room to cover for her pregnant cousin Cora, who suddenly takes ill that night. Eunice Bell is having a dinner party with some of her gal pals and there's some pretty comedic scenes at this point in the story as Rose tries her best to navigate new terrain among the fine serving dishes and the whole "be seen but not heard" requirement. She gets flustered at the process of when to bring out what dish, but her aunt just shrugs and replies, "White folks use a lot of dishes. You get used to it."
But the air in the room changes once Rose overhears the ladies talking about the plan to raze Freedomtown to the ground and put a community park in its place. Thomas Bell holds a position on Dillon City Council, so he would be in the know, but this is the first anyone from Freedom has heard of these plans! When one of Eunice's friends, Emily Firth visiting from Philadelphia, pipes up to voice her opposition to this news, Eunice responds with the unbelievably demeaning comment, "Our negroes here are childlike." She continues on to say they should be positively delighted to have something new and shiny in their lives, giving the impression that Eunice has no concept of the idea of attachment to community. That sense of "it might be rough around the edges, but it's mine!"
Rose carries the news home to the other residents of Freedomtown. She's then reluctantly thrust into the center of the drama once it's decided that she will continue to cover for her cousin, Cora, as maid / dining room staff. Rose's father explains that this will put her in the perfect position to spy and gather more and more information as the project progresses, hopefully giving the residents of Freedomtown an idea of how to fight back. Rose's older brother Henry also gets caught up in the fight, professing that as a World War 1 veteran, he's fought for this country and deserves better than this kind of treatment. He goes so far as to promise that if Freedomtown is destroyed, he will give up this country altogether and move to Africa. While some residents echo his sentiments, others feel it would be useless to fight, that the wealthy, white residents of Dillon just have too much power and will inevitably get whatever they want.
Those that are hesitant to fight admit that they'd likely be willing to move if given fair dollar for their properties within Freedomtown. But further doubts arise on this front when rumors begin that the spot the mayor of Dillon is looking at for relocation seems to be The Flats, a swampy, marsh-like area of town that no one in their right mind would want to populate.
Tensions hit a boiling point the night of the Juneteenth celebration. Henry is caught, tarred and feathered. There's a KKK march through the streets of Freedomtown, ending in a burning cross being left on the lawn of Freedom's church. Later on, when Emily Firth continues to stand up for the mistreatment of this community, she is essentially run out of town.
This book's recommended age says 10-14 years, but the reader is presented with some graphic scenarios -- aside from Henry's tar & feathering and the KKK marches, a school is also set on fire to send a message. So there is some disturbing imagery for young readers, but the message and the history behind this novel is very valid and important. Author Carolyn Meyer includes a note at the end explaining that while this story is fictional, as far as the characters and plot, it IS inspired by the very real history of Quakertown, a black community within the town of Denton, Texas (where Meyer herself previously resided) that suffered a similar fate as that of the fictional Freedomtown. Note though, once you read the history of Quakertown, you'll likely recognize quite a bit of the real history illustrated here and there throughout the story of Freedomtown and its residents!
As far as the actual plot and its pacing, honestly this is not the most riveting read out there ... but Rose is a very sweet, honest character and slow though the story might seem, Meyer does pull you in enough to want to hear Rose's story and meet her family and neighbors in Freedomtown. The importance of this book is the history it exposes you to -- though ficitionally presented, it is based in truth you need to read. The past can be painful at times, but we can't be afraid to look it in the eye if we ever hope to improve our future.
December 20, 2017
The beginning of the book wasn't as interesting, but towards the end the setting got gloomy and sad.
January 11, 2012
White Lilacs by Carolyn Meyer is a historical fiction novel written about segregation in the south during the early 1920s. It tells the story of Rose Lee Jefferson, along with her friends and family living in the all black community of Freedomtown, Texas. It also follows the white citizens living in Dillon, Texas, the town that surrounds Freedomtown, in the early 1900s. I thought that White Lilacs was okay. While it had an interesting plot and good imagery, it wasn't very relatable, nor was I wanting to read on to know what would happen next.
Rose Lee Jefferson had lived in Freedomtown, Texas her entire life, and her family had been working for the wealthy Mr. and Mrs. Bell, as well as their daughter, Catherine Jane since before she was born. Her and Catherine Jane were childhood friends but, due to their racial differences, they drifted apart as time went on. Life was good for Rose Lee- as good as it gets when you are African American and living in the south during the early 1920s, anyway- but that all changed when Rose Lee overheard Mr. and Mrs. Bell speaking, with other important members of Dillon, about turning Freedomtown into a park, and relocating the African American residents that resided there elsewhere. Rose Lee was shocked when she heared this and reported it to her family immedietly, who were infuriated with the white people that they once thought they could trust. But they refused to give up on their homes that easily. They decided to fight to the end to keep their beloved home, no matter what the risks.
I thought White Lilacs was an average novel. The plot was interesting and the story had great imagery, so I could imagine all of the scenes in my head. However, I didn't find myself turning page after page, wanting to know what was going to happen next. The plot and characters also were not very relatable. I didn't find myself relating to any of the situations that the characters faced, as I often do when I read books. It does, however, have very accurate historical content, so I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about this time period, or about segregation in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In short, the story was enjoyable, but not fantastic.
Rose Lee Jefferson had lived in Freedomtown, Texas her entire life, and her family had been working for the wealthy Mr. and Mrs. Bell, as well as their daughter, Catherine Jane since before she was born. Her and Catherine Jane were childhood friends but, due to their racial differences, they drifted apart as time went on. Life was good for Rose Lee- as good as it gets when you are African American and living in the south during the early 1920s, anyway- but that all changed when Rose Lee overheard Mr. and Mrs. Bell speaking, with other important members of Dillon, about turning Freedomtown into a park, and relocating the African American residents that resided there elsewhere. Rose Lee was shocked when she heared this and reported it to her family immedietly, who were infuriated with the white people that they once thought they could trust. But they refused to give up on their homes that easily. They decided to fight to the end to keep their beloved home, no matter what the risks.
I thought White Lilacs was an average novel. The plot was interesting and the story had great imagery, so I could imagine all of the scenes in my head. However, I didn't find myself turning page after page, wanting to know what was going to happen next. The plot and characters also were not very relatable. I didn't find myself relating to any of the situations that the characters faced, as I often do when I read books. It does, however, have very accurate historical content, so I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about this time period, or about segregation in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In short, the story was enjoyable, but not fantastic.
February 9, 2012
Carrie Ackerson
Multicultural
It’s 1921: Twelve-year-old Rose Lee Jefferson and her family live in Freedomtown, a “colored people” enclave in the middle of Dillon, Texas. But the peace in Freedomtown is shaken, then destroyed, when the people of Dillon decide to destroy Freedomtown and build a park there instead. This novel, historically based, recreates the anguish of the “colored people” as their families are first plotted against and then evicted in a Jim Crow society. Rose Lee, a talented young artist, sketches her vanishing neighborhood as fast as she can, and saves her gardener grandfather’s prized white lilac bush from the razing.
This book portrays the horrors of a society conditioned to racism and bigotry and reminds us that there are at least two sides to every story. Class distinctions are mercilessly drawn, but the worst part is that most of the people accept them. A sobering book to read.
Multicultural
It’s 1921: Twelve-year-old Rose Lee Jefferson and her family live in Freedomtown, a “colored people” enclave in the middle of Dillon, Texas. But the peace in Freedomtown is shaken, then destroyed, when the people of Dillon decide to destroy Freedomtown and build a park there instead. This novel, historically based, recreates the anguish of the “colored people” as their families are first plotted against and then evicted in a Jim Crow society. Rose Lee, a talented young artist, sketches her vanishing neighborhood as fast as she can, and saves her gardener grandfather’s prized white lilac bush from the razing.
This book portrays the horrors of a society conditioned to racism and bigotry and reminds us that there are at least two sides to every story. Class distinctions are mercilessly drawn, but the worst part is that most of the people accept them. A sobering book to read.
February 22, 2016
Last summer I attended a workshop in Denton, TX. During our lunch break, I walked around the park outside the library. I noticed a plaque in the park dedicated to Quakertown and read the brief history on the plaque. I was curious to learn more but then our meeting started up again and I forgot all about it.
Then I found this book in our library. It's heartbreaking. I hate thinking of how we used to live and hope we're better now. I have the feeling, though, that we're not.
I've already recommended this book to students interested in history, especially Texas history. It's good!
Then I found this book in our library. It's heartbreaking. I hate thinking of how we used to live and hope we're better now. I have the feeling, though, that we're not.
I've already recommended this book to students interested in history, especially Texas history. It's good!
January 21, 2009
This was a really good book, but very sad and eye-opening.
June 14, 2018
White Lilacs was a moving story about the struggles of African Americans living in Texas. A young girl living in Freedomtown, Rose Lee, is stunned one day to overhear talk of forcing the African Americans out of the town, away from the white people. This news jostles everyone and the novel tells the story of the difficult decisions placed before the people of Freedomtown during this time of racial prejudice.
For me, this novel was full of essential details to bring the story alive and I got a real sense of the tragedies the people of Freedomtown faced, while still being age-appropriate. Carolyn Meyer's addition in the back was helpful to the reader to get some context of the reality of the story. The book ends powerfully, giving the reader hope and inspiring the reader to stand up for both equality and personal beliefs. This is a book I would recommend to friends and family, a book I will read to my future children or students in a classroom.
For me, this novel was full of essential details to bring the story alive and I got a real sense of the tragedies the people of Freedomtown faced, while still being age-appropriate. Carolyn Meyer's addition in the back was helpful to the reader to get some context of the reality of the story. The book ends powerfully, giving the reader hope and inspiring the reader to stand up for both equality and personal beliefs. This is a book I would recommend to friends and family, a book I will read to my future children or students in a classroom.
January 4, 2023
I read this book for my book club (theme was a book with a color in the title).
Young Rose Lee Jefferson is shocked to learn that the white residents of Dillon, Texas, want to raze the city’s black enclave, Freedomtown, and build a park in its place. Rose Lee and the other residents of Freedomtown cannot bear the thought of losing their homes. But fighting the city’s plans could be costly—or even life threatening. Will the families of Freedomtown be able to save their thriving community?
As a YA book, I think it would be a good book for young readers. I felt it was a YA version of "The Help," and kept waiting for a fudge pie to be worked into the story. This book does vary from The Help in that White Lilacs is based in fact - the story is in fictionalized Dillon, TX instead of Denton, TX where many of the events did, in fact, take place. A sobering look at Jim Crow laws for young adults and adults as well.
Young Rose Lee Jefferson is shocked to learn that the white residents of Dillon, Texas, want to raze the city’s black enclave, Freedomtown, and build a park in its place. Rose Lee and the other residents of Freedomtown cannot bear the thought of losing their homes. But fighting the city’s plans could be costly—or even life threatening. Will the families of Freedomtown be able to save their thriving community?
As a YA book, I think it would be a good book for young readers. I felt it was a YA version of "The Help," and kept waiting for a fudge pie to be worked into the story. This book does vary from The Help in that White Lilacs is based in fact - the story is in fictionalized Dillon, TX instead of Denton, TX where many of the events did, in fact, take place. A sobering look at Jim Crow laws for young adults and adults as well.
March 16, 2019
Set in the 1920s in Texas but based off a real life story. In the middle of a white town is a black town (a little heavily named Freedomtown), which is inhabited by African-Americans. The white town decides they want to put a park there and displace its inhabitants. The story is told from the perspective of a 12-year old girl who lives in Freedomtown, but like most of her family, works for the white in the town. Tar and Feathering (very light mention), the Klan rides, etc. Just a little slow for me.
October 23, 2020
A very interesting story and one based on a true event. It's about an entire black community in Texas that was forced to move by the surrounding white community who wanted to use the area for a park. Told to us by a 12 year-0ld narrator. I'd say more, but unfortunately I set the book down too long in between start to finish. However, it was a worthy read and something that had been on my shelf for a long time. I was glad I picked it up.
March 17, 2021
This is a heartbreaking story about a small African American community torn apart by a larger racist White community in Texas during the 1920’s all so the white community could build a park and drive away what they considered a ‘blight’. This story is exceptionally eye-opening and helps to better understand the wrongs of our historical past. Author Carolyn Meyer based her story off a similar historical event in the town called Quakertown.
May 7, 2021
I didn't really enjoy this book. The storyline was boring at many moments (some were ok or good) and the ending was far from satisfying. I found it to be very boring and I wish I could have not wasted my time reading it instead of my other books. Personally, historical fiction isn't my thing, and I just didn't enjoy it.
January 11, 2022
An amazing book on racism and struggles that the African American Community faced in the mid 1900’s.
It’s a book that focuses on both the individual view, family view, and community view on what was happening.
I would personally say that this book is a must read piece of literature for everyone!!
It’s a book that focuses on both the individual view, family view, and community view on what was happening.
I would personally say that this book is a must read piece of literature for everyone!!
January 26, 2022
Wonderful piece of historical fiction. Read this as a novel study with my 8th grade students. They have had some amazing conversations about these characters and (based on true events) their experiences. This story has been a wonderful addition to the focus of our middle school humanities curriculum. Rich, descriptive, emotional writing with the added bonus of being historically accurate.
October 31, 2023
I live in 2023. I didn't live during the years of slavery, the close years after, not 1921, not 2284. I am where I'm supposed to be. My heart hurts knowing what happened to the folks of Freedomtown and all the other places that were destroyed or burned where brown-skinned people tried to make a community. While we've come so far, what will 2284 bring?
The story was good. The reality hurts deep.
The story was good. The reality hurts deep.
August 4, 2017
Great book for a 6th or 7th grader. Very clear narrative about race, Jim Crow, history of segregation in the South. Particularly interesting if you live in North Texas because it's based on true events in Denton, Texas, north of Dallas.
November 24, 2017
Recommended by a ninth grader... fast and easy read that was super detailed and lacking at other times. Another example of how infuriating and awful people can be and why we need to know our history.
June 30, 2018
finished this in one sitting. overall a good book but the end left a little something to be desired. you can also tell that it was written by white person by some of the language used but it doesn’t necessarily detract from the overall plot or characters.
August 2, 2020
This is a sweetly told story about horrific racism in the early 1900s. An easy read (middle-grade), but lends itself to a deeper look. Juneteenth and Quakertown are historic references explained. The innocent voice of the young main character makes this an accessible story for all.
general-fiction
September 3, 2019FIC
MEY
MEY
October 16, 2019
I wanted this to be just a bit better. It tells of the sad displacement of an entire black town because white voters needed the land for a city park. Pie. YOu'll need some pie.
January 1, 2020
Excellent book.
January 24, 2020
This is one of my favorite children’s books. A story set in Texas.
February 6, 2020
It was a very good book. I think that you would like it if you want to learn about slaves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2020
A fictional account of what it was like for the Black families forced to move in Denton in the 1920's. Some of the dialogue and relationships don't ring entirely true. But an enjoyable read.
June 29, 2020
This was a childhood favorite, and I still love it because I loved it then.
Read
May 9, 2021Good book
March 25, 2022
Read this to see what my kiddo was reading in school. It was really good and really sad, especially knowing that it’s based on what really happened in a town in Texas.
April 22, 2022
school novel thingy. it was ok, i had to write 3 essays about it. just finished it and feeling like a queen
it was ok, rose lee is a girl boss though ;")
it was ok, rose lee is a girl boss though ;")
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews