Set in the Mississippi bayou in the summer and fall of 1963, A Thousand Never Evers tells the story of 12 year-old Addie Ann Pickett. After graduating from Acorn Elementary School, Addie Ann looks forward to a summer of swinging in her yard, jumping double Dutch, working in the kitchen at Old Man Adam’s house, teaching her cat, Flapjack, new tricks, and to starting 7th grade at West Thunder Creek Junior High School. Two unexpected events change the course of her summer, and ultimately, the life she has always known: the murder of civil rights activist Medgar Evers and the death of her employer, Old Man Adams.
As the summer passes and an explosive chain of events unfolds, Addie Ann must decide if she is going to be a bystander or someone who is prepared to take action, no matter what the consequences. This story of personal growth and courage is engaging and thought-provoking for both students and adults alike. Set against the backdrop of the civil rights movement, it draws successfully on both actual historical events and elements from classic literature, including To Kill a Mockingbird and The Bluest Eye, to draw the reader in and expose a life few children today have experienced. I felt Addie Ann ‘s perspective changed and grew throughout the course of the story as she began to open her eyes to the reality of the Jim Crow South. The strength of her family and community give her the courage to accept the truth and take part in changing the course of her destiny.
- Posted by Cori