the unsung hero of birdsong usa by brenda woods

Woods raises a lot of thought-provoking issues, viewed through the eyes of a young character who's sometimes hilariously flawed (his convoluted explanation of why it was all his parents' fault that he disobeyed them and took the bike out for a forbidden ride is a work of art) but basically a good kid trying to do right. As young Gabriel emerges from a near-death experience, he becomes friends with his African American rescuer and starts to notice a lot of racist behavior and discrimination that he'd never really noticed before. Author Brenda Woods has a knack for telling engaging stories about young characters dealing with new challenges - here, a 12-year-old white kid in 1946 South Carolina. This well-told, relatable story focuses on a well-off white boy beginning to see and understand racism in the Jim Crow South after World War II.

The few moments of violence include when Gabriel narrowly escapes death when a car almost hits him a racist leaves a rattlesnake in a gift box for a little black girl, who fortunately is not harmed and a man who collapses of a heart attack and dies adult characters tell of returning black veterans beaten, blinded, or killed for being publicly proud of their service. As strong, appealing characters deal with unjust situations, their feelings are relatable (sometimes tragically, sometimes hilariously) and their experiences leave the reader with lots to think about. And, like her other books, it does so with a light touch, thanks to seeing the world through the eyes of a carefree 12-year-old white boy who learns to see through other people's eyes after a life-changing experience and a friendship with the African American war veteran who rescues him. Parents need to know that The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA, is, like author Brenda Woods' previous books, unafraid to deal with troublesome issues - in this case, racial injustice in the Jim Crow South, 1946. Also mentioned: the The Negro Motorist Green Book, which kept dark-skinned travelers in racist country advised of safe lodging, gas stations, etc. Mentions of Schwinn bikes, several car brands (Buick, Chevrolet) for scene setting.

The unsung hero of birdsong usa by brenda woods