Zora and Me

T.R. Simon, Victoria Bond
44 pages1-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Middle Grade
Published in 2010

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

T.R. Simon, Victoria Bond

Zora and Me

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2010
Book Details
Pages

192

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Historical Fiction

•

Mystery & Crime Fiction

•

Children`s Literature
Setting

Florida • Early 20th century

Theme
Race

•

Coming of Age

•

Self Discovery
Topic
World History

•

Arts & Culture
First Publication Year

2010

Publisher

Candlewick Press

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

Lexile Level

860L

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Zora and Me by T.R. Simon and Victoria Bond follows best friends Zora Neale Hurston and Carrie Brown in the all-Black town of Eatonville, Florida, around the turn of the 20th century. After a young man named Sonny is killed by an alligator, Zora spins a tale suggesting a local man, Mr. Pendir, can transform into an alligator. As the girls investigate strange occurrences, they uncover harsh truths about their community and the reality of life under Jim Crow laws. The book discusses enslavement and anti-Black racism, including lynching, in the Jim Crow South.

Mysterious

Nostalgic

Adventurous

Reviews & Readership

3.8

1,599 ratings

64%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Zora and Me by T.R. Simon and Victoria Bond blends historical fiction and mystery, capturing readers with rich storytelling and a vivid portrayal of young Zora Neale Hurston. Praised for its strong sense of place and cultural depth, the novel’s occasional slow pacing may deter some. Overall, it’s celebrated for its engaging narrative and historical insight.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Zora and Me?

Readers who enjoy Zora and Me by T.R. Simon and Victoria Bond are likely fans of historical fiction and coming-of-age stories. Similar to those who love To Kill a Mockingbird and Brown Girl Dreaming, they appreciate narratives that delve into themes of race, identity, and community through a youthful and vivid lens.

3.8

1,599 ratings

64%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Character List

The fictional narrator and protagonist who navigates life in Eatonville and processes her personal and communal experiences through storytelling.

A fictionalized version of the real Harlem Renaissance writer as a self-assured and wise child who emphasizes the power of storytelling.

A friend of Carrie and Zora, who is kind and thoughtful with a deep connection to animals, living on a farm with dreams of attending high school.

Gold’s brother who plays the guitar beautifully and works as a turpentine worker, inspiring Zora with his travels and music.

Ivory’s sister, who passes as white and grapples with the complexities of her identity and the choices it forces upon her.

The marshal and store owner in Eatonville who is cautious yet willing to engage with children about their curiosities.

A reclusive man living near the Blue Sink who is misunderstood as a monster but is a gentle soul with his own fears and traumas.

A stubborn elderly woman from the town who has dedicated herself to raising her granddaughter, Miss Billie.

A woman attuned to the social dynamics between Eatonville and Lake Maitland, holding strong opinions about those around her.

A white man from Lake Maitland who has a complicated relationship with Zora and often shows prejudiced tendencies.

Book Details
Pages

192

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Historical Fiction

•

Mystery & Crime Fiction

•

Children`s Literature
Setting

Florida • Early 20th century

Theme
Race

•

Coming of Age

•

Self Discovery
Topic
World History

•

Arts & Culture
First Publication Year

2010

Publisher

Candlewick Press

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

Lexile Level

860L

Buy This Book

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 10,900+ additional titles.