Victor Bevine’s steady narration brings an air of gravitas to this compelling story, which focuses on the 1955 murder of Emmett Till. While visiting his grandfather in Mississippi, 16-year-old Hiram is horrified to discover that a childhood friend may have been involved in the brutal slaying of 14-year-old Till. Bevine deftly conveys Hiram’s tortured thoughts as he agonizes over whether to reveal his knowledge. As the Till trial unfolds, Bevine sensitively describes Hiram’s dawning understanding of the deep-rooted racism that has corrupted the community. This understanding is complicated by his tender relationship with his stubbornly racist grandfather, who is portrayed by Bevine in a confident voice that becomes tinged with self-doubt. This deeply affecting audiobook is enhanced by outstanding characterizations, superb pacing, and evocative accents. S.A.H. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
Mississippi Trial, 1955
Narrated by Victor Bevine
Chris CroweUnabridged — 6 hours, 4 minutes
Mississippi Trial, 1955
Narrated by Victor Bevine
Chris CroweUnabridged — 6 hours, 4 minutes
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Overview
At first Hiram is excited to visit his hometown in Mississippi. But soon after he arrives, he crosses paths with Emmett Till, a black teenager from Chicago who is also visiting for the summer. Hiram sees firsthand how the local whites mistreat blacks who refuse to "know their place." When Emmett's tortured dead body is found floating in a river, Hiram is determined to find out who could do such a thing. But what will it cost him to know?
Editorial Reviews
Gr 6-8-While visiting relatives in Mississippi, Emmett Till, 14, spoke "ugly" to a white woman and was subsequently tortured and murdered. Two men were arrested and tried for this heinous crime, but in spite of substantial evidence, were found not guilty. Crowe has woven the plot of his novel around these historical events. Hiram, the fictional main character, had lived with his grandparents in Mississippi as a child. Now 16, he returns to visit his aging grandfather, where he meets Emmett Till. He also renews a childhood acquaintance with R.C. Rydell, a redneck bully. When Emmett's mutilated body is found, Hiram immediately suspects that R.C. was involved. In a predictable twist at the end, he learns that it was his grandfather, not R.C., who helped the murderers. The Deep South setting is well realized. Descriptions of the climate, food, and landscape are vivid and on target. Likewise, Southern racial attitudes from the period are accurately portrayed. Grampa is a racist but Hiram enables readers to see his good qualities as well. Hiram himself seems rather naive. He is unable to fathom the racial prejudice at the root of his father's alienation from his grandfather. Nor does he feel the aura of racial fear and hatred that hangs over the entire region. The novel succeeds in telling Emmett Till's story, but there is an emotional distance that keeps readers from caring as deeply as they should about this crime. Still, it is a story that needs to be told. This book belongs in all collections to show young readers the full range of American history.-Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Historical fiction examines the famous case of Emmett Till, whose murder was one of the triggers of the civil-rights movement. Hiram Hillburn knows R.C. Rydell is evil. He watches R.C. mutilate a catfish, but does nothing to stop him. "I didn't want to end up like that fish," he says. He watches R.C. throw stones at a neighbor's house and humiliate 14-year-old Emmett Till, an African-American visitor from Chicago, and still he does nothing. Hiram says, "When things are scary or dangerous, it's hard to see clear what to do." When Till is brutally murdered, Hiram is sure R.C. is involved. Hiram, a white teenager who has come back to the Mississippi town where his father grew up, is the narrator and the perspective of the white outsider and the layers of his moral reflection make this an excellent examination of a difficult topic. When the case comes to trial, Hiram knows he must face his own trial: can he stand up to evil and do the right thing? He knows Mr. Paul, the local storeowner, is right: "Figure out what's right and what's wrong, and make yourself do the right thing. Do that and no matter what happens, no matter what people say, you'll have no regrets." This is a complicated thing to do, as Hiram must summon inner strength and come to terms with who he is-the son of an English professor who hates everything about the South and the grandson of a farmer who loves everything about it. Teen readers will find themselves caught up in Hiram's very real struggle to do the right thing. (Fiction. YA)
Victor Bevine’s steady narration brings an air of gravitas to this compelling story, which focuses on the 1955 murder of Emmett Till. While visiting his grandfather in Mississippi, 16-year-old Hiram is horrified to discover that a childhood friend may have been involved in the brutal slaying of 14-year-old Till. Bevine deftly conveys Hiram’s tortured thoughts as he agonizes over whether to reveal his knowledge. As the Till trial unfolds, Bevine sensitively describes Hiram’s dawning understanding of the deep-rooted racism that has corrupted the community. This understanding is complicated by his tender relationship with his stubbornly racist grandfather, who is portrayed by Bevine in a confident voice that becomes tinged with self-doubt. This deeply affecting audiobook is enhanced by outstanding characterizations, superb pacing, and evocative accents. S.A.H. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
Product Details
BN ID: | 2940172168871 |
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Publisher: | Penguin Random House |
Publication date: | 01/08/2019 |
Edition description: | Unabridged |
Age Range: | 10 - 13 Years |