Time Pieces: The Book of Times

Grade 4-6-In this semiautobiographical novel, Hamilton tells the story of Valena, who lives in rural Ohio with her parents, two older siblings, and a beloved dog; a large extended family lives nearby. This summer, in between fifth and sixth grades, she survives a tornado; takes a trip to the circus to see an enormous, disfigured gorilla; and is misunderstood when she accidentally takes something from her Great-Aunt Peavy. Her entire family suffers a loss as well, and she learns that time and growing up mean constant change. Valena's present is set against her family's past, and the heart of the book is the story she hears of her Great-Grandfather's crossing to freedom on the Underground Railroad, a story that is told-and heard-in pieces. Also fascinating is the account of a pygmy woman brought from Africa on a slave ship, whose future is intertwined with that of Valena's family. Hamilton knows how mysterious the unknown can be to children, and has a superb ear for dialogue. Some elements of the story of Valena's visit to an unpleasant schoolteacher seem a bit puzzling, and a few phrases here and there don't have the author's usual polish. But, more often, the simplicity and directness of the language serve the subject matter beautifully. The book gets off to a quiet start, and some children may need an adult introduction. They will find it well worth it, if only for the humor and suspense in many of the tales.
Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This uneven work from the late Hamilton juxtaposes a contemporary framework story about young Valena, during the summer before she enters sixth grade, with a number of interconnected " `reckons,'... stories told of past times" that fill in some of the history of how her family came to Ohio. Valena's mother, Harriet, relates these tales of times past, which at their best recall the mythic and inspirational qualities of the author's The People Could Fly-especially the story of tiny Tunny Maud, who is brought to Rothford Plantation (one "Occupant," as Harriet calls the captives held on the plantation, believes that Tunny Maud is a Pygmy from Batswa). Tunny Maud dances "to the leaf shadows in the forest" and "could move on her hands as well as her feet." Later, the tiny woman figures prominently in a reckon about Harriet's father, Graw Luke, who crosses the Ohio River with his mother and makes a pilgrimage to Maud Free, a town established by Tunny Maud (who, with the help of her master's son, escaped to freedom). But the contemporary story used to set up these few tales comes across as sketchy, especially in contrast with the reckons, which are polished like prized gems that are passed down from one generation to the next. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 5-8. Completed a few months before Hamilton's death last year, this semi-autobiographical novel weaves together some of her childhood memories of growing up in a warm, extended family in rural Ohio. In the summer before sixth grade, Valena visits her great-aunt, quarrels with her cousin, loses her beloved dog, and is terrified by a tornado. The real drama, however, is in the tales Valena hears about the people who came before her. Here at last is the story Hamilton alluded to so often: how her great-grandfather Luke escaped as a boy and crossed to freedom, led by the strong, brave woman Proud Mary. Luke's repeated question to Proud Mary, "Are you my mother?" captures so much of the anguish of slavery. Valena hears that story in bits and pieces from her mother, and there's a strong sense of the child hearing from those who need to pass it on. The details of Valena's happy daily life make the point about her roots and her strength, but the small things don't always make for compelling reading. There's also some contrivance when Valena connects the loss of her pet with the "loss of so many" to slavery. It's Graw Luke who will haunt readers, and as always with Hamilton, the telling is the story. Her fans will also be fascinated to see the seeds of so many of her books here, from The People Could Fly (1985) to Cousins (1990). Hazel Rochman
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