A young girl learning very adult lessons, you'll fall in love with Ludelphia. As her name suggest, she has very rural beginnings. Living in the small Alabama town that is accessible to the next town only by ferry, Ludelphia armed with materials for a quilt, leaves town for the next one, Camden to get aaid for her dying mother. You'll love her dialect and Pollyannish outlook. This is one young adult novel you can read to your child, with her child, or have your child read to you.If you're like me, a quilt enthusiast, you'll discover the quilts of Gee's Bend and be inspired to make one. KBA 2012 nominee for grades 3-5. Ludelphia Bennett is 10 years old, an African-American girl, living with her sharecropping family and neighbors in dire poverty in Gee's Bend, Alabama. She is blind in one eye due to a childhood injury and loves to quilt. Ludelphia's mother is gravely ill with pneumonia and influenza and has just given birth to a baby girl. Ludelphia decides to travel to the nearest city (without her parent's permission) to fetch the doctor. While there she encounters a mean-spirited woman (Mrs. Cobb) who is the widow of the man who owns the land that the Bennett's sharecrop. Mrs. Cobb embarks on a mission to take all that the Bennett's and their sharecropping neighbors own. Ludelphia, of course, eventually semi-saves the day. Mama recovers, the Red Cross sends help to Gee's Bend, and all is well at the end. This is a typical story of a brave and resourceful girl who does whatever it takes to save her family. Ludelphia is strong and plucky - - a good character, especially for a young girl to read about. The story is told from Lu's point of view, and the author has her speak and think in regional vernacular and slang to create the tone of Gee's Bend, Alabama - - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. The story successfully portrays the plight of sharecroppers in depression-era Alabama without being overly ugly. All in all, a pretty good story, a great character, and some good stuff for girls to read.There is a great companion picture book titled "Belle, the Last Mule at Gee's Bend" by Calvin Alexander Ramsey and Bettye Stroud and illustrated by John Holyfield. Ludelphia has a cherished mule in "Leaving Gee's Bend," and this picture book goes beautifully with the novel!
What do You think about Leaving Gee's Bend (2010)?
This is a nice little book about the historic events at Gee's Bend, Alabama. Good reading.
—mariafernandad
It was a great book with an awesome ending. I would defenitly reccomend it.
—Ella
Good story. Very well written. A main character that will stay with you.
—Batman
