La la Land-Webkinz

La La Land Webkinz

The son of a prosperous landowner and a former slave, Paul-Edward Logan is different from any other boy he knows. His white father has acknowledged him and raised him openly-something strange in post-Civil War Georgia. But as he grows into a man he learns that life for somebody like him is not easy. Black humans distrust him because he looks white. White humans distinguish versus him when they learn of his black heritage. Even within his own family he faces betrayal and degradation. So at the age of fourteen, he sets out toward the only dream he has ever had: to find land each bit as good as his father’s, and make it his own. Once again inspired by her own history, Ms. Taylor brings truth and power to the most recent addition to the award-winning Logan family stories.

Paul-Edward Logan, the son of a white, plantation-owner father and a slave mother, is our narrator, bound and determined to buy his own land and shape his own future at whatsoever cost. Caught amidst black and white worlds and not fitting into either one is desolating for him, but his powerful, engaging tales of the love of family, the strength of friendship, and growing up will inspire any person to dare to persevere in spite of terrible odds. Taylor’s books are not only necessary in understanding what led up to the Civil Rights motion in America–they are likewise breathtaking page-turners, full of suspense, humor, love, and hope. The Land surely stands alone, but the other award-winning tales of the Logan family–Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry; Let the Circle Be Unbroken; and The Road to Memphis–are splendid as well. Heartily recommended. (Ages 12 and older) –Karin Snelson

From Publishers WeeklyTaylor’s gift for combining history and storytelling are as evident here as in her other stories when it comes to the Logan family. This prequel to Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry focuses on Cassies’s grandfather, Paul-Edward Logan, and explains how the seeds were planted for feuds amongst the Logans and other families, as well as sure loyalties. Here, the author deftly explores double standards in the South for the duration of the years following the Civil War. She lays the groundwork for these issues to be examined through two key relationships in the childhood of Paul-Edward, a boy of mixed race: the strong bond he shares with Robert, his white half-brother, and a tenuous friendship with Mitchell, whose parents were born into slavery and whose father works for Paul-Edward’s father. Through them, the hero becomes painfully conscious of the indelible line dividing black and white society. Though it is adequate for the purpose that his father, plantation-owner Edward, keeps an African-American mistress and helps rear her children, Paul-Edward and his sister, Cassie, are not permitted the same privileges as their half-brothers. An incident of family betrayal and a broken promise prompts Paul-Edward to run away from home and pursue his dream to farm his own piece of land. After arriving in Mississippi and setting his sights on the acreage he wants to buy, he soon discovers that getting a landowner of color is more elaborated and dangerous than expected. Like any good historian, Taylor extracts truth from past events without sugarcoating issues. Although her depiction of the 19th-century South is anything but pretty, her tone is more uplifting than bitter. Rather than dismissing hypocrisies, she digs beneath the surface of Paul-Edward’s friends and foes, showing how their values have been shaped by social norms. Here, villains are as much victims as heroes, but only those as courageous as the protagonist challenge the traditions that publicize inequality. Even for the duration of the book’s most wrenching scenes, the determination, wisdom and resiliency-which become the bequest of the Logan family-will be strongly felt. Taylor fans will have to hasten to read this latest contribution to the Logan family history, and newcomers will eagerly lap this up and plunge into the author’s other titles. Ages 12-up. (Step.) Taylor’s gift for combining history and storytelling are as evident here as in her other stories regarding the Logan family. This prequel to Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry focuses on Cassies’s grandfather, Paul-Edward Logan, and explains how the seeds were planted for feuds amid the Logans and other families, as well as sure loyalties. Here, the author deftly explores double standards in the South for the duration of the years following the Civil War. She lays the groundwork for these issues to be examined through two key relationships in the childhood of Paul-Edward, a boy of mixed race: the strong bond he shares with Robert, his white half-brother, and a tenuous friendship with Mitchell, whose parents were born into slavery and whose father works for Paul-Edward’s father. Through them, the hero becomes painfully conscious of the indelible line dividing black and white society. Though it is worthy of acceptance or satisfactory that his father, plantation-owner Edward, keeps an African-American mistress and helps rear her children, Paul-Edward and his sister, Cassie, are not permitted the same privileges as their half-brothers. An incident of family betrayal and a broken promise prompts Paul-Edward to run away from home and pursue his dream to farm his own piece of land. After arriving in Mississippi and setting his sights on the acreage he wants to buy, he soon discovers that getting a landowner of color is more elaborated and dangerous than expected. Like any good historian, Taylor extracts truth from past events without sugarcoating issues. Although her depiction of the 19th-century South is anything but pretty, her tone is more uplifting than bitter. Rather than dismissing hypocrisies, she digs under the surface of Paul-Edward’s friends and foes, showing how their values have been shaped by social norms. Here, villains are as much victims as heroes, but only those as courageous as the protagonist challenge the traditions that promote inequality. Even for the duration of the book’s most wrenching scenes, the determination, wisdom and resiliency-which become the bequest of the Logan family-will be strongly felt. Taylor fans ought to hasten to read this latest contribution to the Logan family history, and newcomers will eagerly lap this up and plunge into the author’s other titles. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library JournalGr 7-10-In this prequel to Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (Dial, 1976), readers meet the relatives of the Logan family who lived for the duration of Civil War and Reconstruction times. Paul Edward is the son of a slave and her white master. He is treated well by his white half brothers and by his father, who teaches him to read and write. However, he and his sister learn that they are portion of the white family in only sure respects. Early in his life, Paul is tormented for his mixed racial inheritance by a black boy, Mitchell Thomas, who later becomes his best friend. The story follows these two young men as circumstances strength them to run away from home and make their way in the world. Through hard work, the kindly support of a white employer, and sheer determination, Paul logs a tract of land that will supposedly be his. After much backbreaking labor, he is cheated out of it by the white owner. The plot takes assorted surprising twists as Paul and Mitchell fall in love with the same young woman, and disaster lies in wait for them. The ugliness of racial hatred and bigotry is distinctly demonstrated allround the book. The characters are crisply drawn and believable, altho at times Paul’s total honesty, forthrightness, and devotion to hard work seem closely too good to be true. While this book gives clear or deep perception and background to the family saga, it stands on it is own merits. It is terrifi historical fiction in regards to a shameful part of America’s past. Its length and use of the vernacular will admonish casual readers, but those who stick with it will be richly rewarded. For fans of the other Logan books, it is not to be missed.

Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Most helpful client reviews

18 of 18 persons found the following review helpful.
BEST BOOK EVER
By A
… The Land By Mildred D. Taylor

For the past month or so, my class has been reading The Land, by Mildred D. Taylor. I am not exaggerating when I say this is one of the greatest books ever! The Land is regarding an African American boy named Paul Edward Logan, who lives on his white father�s plantation. Paul lives in the time of racism, slaves, and disrespect of black men and women. Even his very own father treats him differently than Paul�s white brothers � he cannot eat at the table when there are guests. Nor may he talk to white men the way they treat him. Paul begins to realize the truth of it all. However, he does not give up his dream � to own his own land. He does not lose faith, even when his father denies him an chance to race a horse for cash. Denial only pushes him to receive the offer, but the proprietor of the horse refuses to recompense him his winnings. Mitchell, his personal bodyguard, decides to take matters into his own hands and makes them running for their lives. The Land takes the readers on a journeying of Paul�s determination, hard work, and his daring and desperate decisions.
One reason I utterly love this book is because of the plot! The way Paul and African Americans are treated helps me perceive what it was like for people, like Paul for the duration of the 1800s. This book helps me realize how hard it was back then � to treat others respectfully while they mistreat you, to undertake to be quiet when a white man was speaking! For example, in the book, Paul is not permitted to hit his brother when he has done something defective because he is white. It makes me think when it comes to how unfair it was a century ago. People were treated unjust because of the color of their skin! I now be grateful for my life much, much more, knowing how some lifestyles applied to be.
In addition to this, I love the suspense! There is always something stimulating happening � from the horse race to the fights where Mitchell, Paul�s bodyguard protects him. What makes this book so arousing and attention holding is the fact that there is always something incredible, merely awful happening. This makes me want to read more! Not only is it entertaining, but also this book raises a heap of intriguing questions. For example, what is going to take place to Paul, what dramatic decision will he make now, and how is Paul�s father going to react to this chaos? As you may tell, a good deal of questions arise. This is one outstanding aspect of The Land.
I commend this book to readers who get enjoyment from books based on history � something that actually happened. The Land is based on true facts � how persons were considered, how lifestyles were for African Americans, and how there were a heap of unjust, unfair laws. This book has a wondrous plot, which is not only entertaining, but likewise educational. You would have to read it yourself!
I may comprehend why this book won the Coretta Scott King Award!

13 of 13 humans found the following review helpful.
A Must Read for all Mildred D. Taylor Fans
By alpha1906
Mildred Taylor has once again brought to life the Logan Family, one of the most revered families in Young Adult Literature. This prequel explores the life of Paul Edward Logan, the partiarch of the Logan family. All Taylor readers are acquainted with the importance of the land to the Logan family. This novel is a history lesson enumerating the a heap of struggles that Grandpa Logan endured in order to acquire the cherished Logan land. If you enjoyed Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Let the Circle Be Unbroken and The Road to Memphis, you will just love The Land!

13 of 14 humans found the following review helpful.
Beautifully Written!
By A 12-year old reader
This book is the prequel to the award-winning Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry. The story is told in 1st person by Paul-Edward, Cassie’s grandpa in later books. It tells his hardships on living with his daddy, who is white, and having a black mom. After having trouble w/his dad he runs away. Then the story is in regards to how he trys to get land as good as his daddy’s. It is splendid work even though the book is a little predictable.

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