The Baptism

by Shelia P. Moses

When you turn twelve in Occoneechee Neck in Jackson, North Carolina, everything changes. You get to do stuff you couldn't do when you were eleven. And it means it's time to get baptized.

Twin brothers Leon and Luke Curry turned twelve last month. Ma has given them one week in which to do right -- to cleanse themselves of their sinning ways and get themselves ready for the baptism. Next Sunday they will go down to the "mornin' bench" at church, sit in front of Reverend Webb, and be saved. It will be a glorious day. But that's only if Twin Leon and Twin Luke can keep themselves out of trouble. Which is easier said than done when you've lost your daddy and have a new stepfather; when you have a bullying big brother who plays tricks on you; and when it's summertime and all you want to do is go fishing instead of working in the fields.

How Twin Leon and Twin Luke stick together to face the odds as only twelve-year-old boys can do, managing to save themselves while also unexpectedly saving their entire family in a week's time, is the heart of this moving, often funny, and often poignant novel.

Genres: Historical Fiction, African American

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Poet, author, playwright, and producer Shelia P. Moses was raised the ninth of ten children on Rehobeth Road in Rich Square, North Carolina. She is the co-author of Dick Gregory's memoir, Callus on My Soul, as well as the award-winning author of several books for young readers. Shelia lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Reviews

[Spirit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book I found it to be very comical at points. The characters were definitely interesting, especially the narrator (Twin Leon). The ending was beautiful, how a sense of Christian love and unity was established. Great Book!

[Zoey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

[Ms. Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readers follow along as Leon weaves a story about the time when he and his twin brother, Luke, are now twelve and old enough to be baptized. This is a coming-of-age tradition is his community, and one that Leon isn't sure he's ready for. In his matter-of-fact voice, the reader learns of the racial prejudice Leon and his family live with daily, and the many injustices African-Americans faced. For me, it's difficult to fathom having to live with the fact that your father was murdered and nothing done to seek justice simply because the victim was black or, knowing that the white man who owns the land you sharecrop is a half-brother of your mom, a relationship that is never acknowledged publicly.

This isn't a book I would recommend for the average middle school reader, frankly because I don't know that they would fully grasp the difficulties of this life. I think it would be an excellent story to use as a starting point for discussions about the life of African Americans and the importance of the civil rights movement.

Because it's a story where there's no great conflict or mystery to grab the reader's attention at the start, I'm not sure how many 11-13 year olds would be drawn to The Baptism. I do think it's one I'll recommend some teachers use as a read-aloud to lead to discussions. C+ rating.

[Kathy Lane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was on the fence about this one. I liked Kip's posting :) The dialect was interesting especially as it carried through the narration. Perhaps it is because it isn't one I have an ear for, but it didn't always flow smoothly for me - like in some places the dialect lapsed into standard English. I also realize that I prefer books that don't paint all adults as anti-hero / bad (I am trying to decide if this is something I need to overcome for Thumbs Up, or a valid literary preference - I'll maybe post on the e-mail to ask for feedback on this).

Ma isn't anti-hero to Leon, but I had a hard time with their relationship.
p.31
As mad as Ma is with me, she smiles.
"That's good, son. Ma loves you boys.'
That's the good thing about my ma. she don't hold no hate in her heart. She forgives us right after she beats our behind.

Maybe Leon's sense of agency is an awareness of the consequences, but decision to be "bad" anyway because that's what he would rather do (or despite himself).

The ending is a good one - and maybe offers a promise of reconciliation?

http://thumbsupaward.blogspot.com/sea...

[Sarah Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Leon just can’t stop sinning. He and his twin Luke turned twelve last month and in Occoneechee Neck that means you get baptized. Leon suffers from the usual follies of childhood such as stealing cookies, but he also has many people to try his patience like his lazy older brother “Joe Nasty”, his gambling stepfather “Filthy Frank”, and local bully “White Cousin”. Even his meek yet loving twin can be hard to deal with at times. Ma has given the twins one week to change their ways and be ready to go down to the “mornin’ bench”, letting everyone know they are saved. As we follow Leon and family in chapters for each day of the week, we see a strong family and community living in the shadows of slavery from the previous century. The author effectively portrays the mind of a 12 year old boy while illustrating the life of African-American field workers in mid-twentieth century South. Although set in the same world as the Buddy Bush novels, this slim volume stands alone and introduces us to an endearing fictional voice.

[Jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written Review
Rating: R
Grade: 4-7
Author: Shelia P. Moses
Title: The Baptism
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Copyright: 2007
Price 10.95

# ISBN-10: 1416906711
# ISBN-13: 978-1416906711

Reviewer: Jenn Good Date: 03/06/09

This book is narrated by Twin Leon, an African-American boy living in rural North Carolina in the 1940’s. Twin Leon’s mother is trying to get him to do right and get baptized along side his brother Luke. The twins have just turned 12, the coming of age point in their church community. Leon is a mischievous boy that doesn’t feel ready to give up sinning. Will Leon stop sinning and prove he is ready to be saved? Racist oppression is a central theme in this intricate story about family dynamics and community. Spoken in the vernacular of the setting, the reader is easily drawn in to Leon’s words and manner of thinking. Even though the novel revolves around a very particular theme of a church baptism that might not be familiar to many readers, the larger themes will surely resonate.

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leon Curry tells about the week before he and his twin brother, Luke, are supposed to be baptized. Their mother expects them to spend the week being good to show that they are ready to be saved. Luke, who has always tried to please Ma, doesn't seem to have any trouble. By the end of the week, he gets to sit on the “mornin bench” and pledge to baptism the following Sunday. Leon, on the other hand, enjoys swearing and sinning. He isn't sure that he's ready to give it all up to be saved. Besides that, this particular week tests his goodness more than most. Leon beats up his white cousin because his older brother, Joe, orders him to do the deed. He comes home during a tornado after being told to stay put and loses track of Luke in the process. It sure seems like Ma makes an unusual amount of braided switches that week. Just when Leon becomes convinced that he will never be ready for baptism, events turn in his favor. Narrator Leon reminds me of kids I’ve known that aggravate and charm you at the same time! Ma might not feel that way about her recalcitrant son, but I do.

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, lyrical family book about a 12 year old who is trying to stop sinning in one week so he can get baptized. Unfortunately, that week there is a tornado and a county fair. Not to mention the constant irritants of no good stepfather Filthy Frank and the white people down the road who act like they are not related to his family. This book is a little melodramatic, but I enjoyed it for being the story of a strong family in rural NC before the Civil Rights movement. Now I want to read more of Moses' Buddy Bush books.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Twin Leon and his twin, Twin Luke are about to be baptized next Sunday. Their ma is making them since they just turned 12. Her belief is that baptism is going to get them saved. Unfortunately she doesn't know that baptism is an outward sign. Salvation is a heart thing and Twin Leon doesn't want to be baptized. He wants to go on sinning. Twin Luke doesn't want to cause trouble and wouldn't get into it if he didn't hang around with Twin Leon.

Well, almost...

[The Backlist Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was quite powerful for such a tiny package, it certainly reminded me to commune with nature (my faith is nature based). The plot is almost entirely predictable without being at all dull, and, most important of all; it felt like I was reading something a twelve year-old wrote! this is important since it is the story of two twelve year old boys and their week from hell before they get baptized.

[Dapreshiathorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a little boy name Leon who has a twin name Luke and they've both just turned 12 and where they live at, at that age u have to get baptised ... So this book takes you through the journey of them and their lives wat goes on between now and the time that they are getting baptised...

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books that adults will like better than kids. The portrayal of the life of African Americans in the South before desegregation is stark and uncomfortable to read about, especially when Leon matter-of-factly tells of his father's murder or the identity of his white grandfather.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The twin brothers leon and luke Curry has just turn twelve years old and there mother think its time for them to go on the mornin bench but are they ready? These can't stay out of trouble before there are baptized. Fast read it was just okay.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Twin Leon's voice. In a way, Moses' writing reminded me of Brian Doyle, and I am a big admirer of Doyle's. I'm planning to look for her "Buddy Rush" books after reading this.

[Andreia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely brings a bunch of bittersweet smiles to my face. I remember the stories about the braided branches from the tree.

[Marge]

Coretta Scott King honor recipient (takes a long time to get baptised

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The struggle of two young men to prepare for their baptism, which is expected by their mother.