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192
Novel • Fiction
•
Mystery & Crime Fiction•
Children`s LiteratureFlorida • Early 20th century
•
Coming of Age•
Self Discovery•
Arts & Culture2010
Candlewick Press
Middle grade
10-14 years
860L
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
1,599 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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.
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.
1,599 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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.
192
Novel • Fiction
•
Mystery & Crime Fiction•
Children`s LiteratureFlorida • Early 20th century
•
Coming of Age•
Self Discovery•
Arts & Culture2010
Candlewick Press
Middle grade
10-14 years
860L
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