Sounder

Author: William H. Armstrong
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
Copyright: 1972
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 93
Reading Level: Ages 9 to 12 (Barnes and Noble)
Summary: This story takes place just after the abolition of slavery in the U.S. It's about a young boy who is learning from his father about all the things a man does to take care of his family. His dad goes hunting with their dog, Sounder, when the weather is good enough. It has been very cold lately though. Some white men come to their house and say that his father stole the ham that the family has been eating and they arrest him and take him away. Sounder, being his master's loyal dog, chases after the wagon and the men shoot him. The family thinks he is going to die but he doesn't. He does have a limp though from then on. The boy goes to visit his father in jail and shortly after that, they move his father into physical labor to pay off his crime. The boy goes out in search of his father and while he is out on his search he meets a very kind man who teaches him to read. The man offers to give him education so the boy stays with him at his home a lot. Once while the boy is back at home with his mother and little siblings, Sounder comes bounding up the road with the boy's father. His father has been injured when a mine collapsed so they let him return home. A short time later, the boy's father dies. The boy has to go back to his schooling but before he leaves he digs a grave for the dog because he knows that Sounder will die soon too because his master is gone. The dog dies shortly before the boy comes home for Christmas.
Who would you recommend this book to? I would recommend this book to young children maybe fourth or fifth grade.
Potential problems or conflicts: It does deal with racism and talks about some cruel treatment and abuse.
My reaction: This book was okay. It wasn't my favorite. Definitely not a real page turner but it was an interesting enough story. It was very true to the time period.