The Terrible, Wonderful Tellin' at Hog Hammock - Hardcover

Siegelson, Kim L.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060248777 ISBN 13: 9780060248772

Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books, 1996

Synopsis

"Oree can go to the tellin' for this family," his grandmother said thoughtfully. "He do have the gift his grandpa left him. " Jonas almost choked on a piece of biscuit. No one called him Oree anymore except for his grandmother-and Jonas knew that she meant serious business when she used his Gullah name. If his grandmother decided it was so, Jonas would have to represent the family at the local tellin'-even if he didn't want to. Grandfather had been the best storyteller on Sapelo Island. And Jonas isn't sure that he inherited the family "gift for de lie." On the night of the big tellin', Jonas finally discovers the true meaning of his grandfather's special gift. What does happen on that fateful night surprises everyone! With warm, quiet humor, Kim Siegelson weaves a touching tale about a young boyfinding his place in Sapelo Island's Gullah community.

About this title

About the Author:

Kim Siegelson won The Center for Multicultural Children's Literature Writing Award (1994) for this first novel. She lives in Clarkson, GA.

Eric Velasquez has illustrated numerous childrenís books including Chain of Fire and Journey to Joíburg: A South African Story, both by Beverly Naidoo. He lives in New York City.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 4-6?On Sapelo Island, off the coast of Georgia, young Jonas is the child of modern-day Gullah people whose livelihood depends on the basket-making trade of the women and the off-island mill work of the men. Jonas is grappling with loss and guilt over the death of his grandfather (he declined to go with him on his last fishing trip), and with his doubt in his grandmother's assertions that he has inherited the man's talent for storytelling. Nana Myma has arranged for Jonas to take part in Miss Linde's important storytelling event in their town of Hog Hammock, a role usually reserved for adult males. His mixed feelings are further complicated when, in the midst of a prank with a friend, he damages his grandfather's headstone. Jonas's father returns from the mainland, disciplines his son for his transgression, and takes his rightful place as the family storyteller at Miss Linde's. But Jonas asks to tell instead and commemorates his grandfather by narrating in the Gullah language the story he has practiced. While the exact time period is vague and the plot minimal, authenticity and richness of setting strengthen the presentation. Evocative language and the careful use of Gullah phrases and a made-up dialect add flavor while remaining accessible, and an author's note on the Gullah language and its place in the story is appended.?Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0060248777
• ISBN 13: 9780060248772
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 88
• Illustrator: Velasquez Eric