The Seventeenth Child

The oral history of the seventeenth child of Black sharecroppers, describing her life in Virginia and New Jersey during the Depression

Grade 7 Up-A realistic account of an African-American woman, Lucille M. W. Payne, growing up in rural Virginia during the 1930s and 1940s, as recorded and edited by her daughter. The first-person vignettes are uncomplicated and engage readers through imagery. Some of the events and vocabulary may require explanations for today's readers, but they add to the authenticity of the voice. The story is told in a style reminiscent of a journal, but without the dates; this format causes the narrative to flow smoothly, just as daily lives move from one event to the next. Payne's point of view and the location of her story are refreshing and provide an informative supplement to the time period. Small black-and-white photos are included; it is unfortunate that they aren't captioned. An eye-opening account of what it was like to grow up as an African-American child during this period.
Adrian Renee Stevens, Beaver Creek School, West Jefferson, NC
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.