What do You think about The Land (2003)?
I think prequels are a little harder to get into than sequels b/c you don't know the characters as well but it was nice to get a picture of the obsession for land that Cassie's parents are always talking about in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. They always talk about how important it is to them and it is in this book that you can really see why because of how hard Paul, Mitchell, and Caroline work for it. Not to mention the fact that it was unheard of for coloreds to own land at that point. It was interesting b/c I felt like I really understood Paul's need for land and a place of his own as we just got our own place. I am still amazed by how inhumane our society was with slavery and the inequality following. It is crazy how long it took to remove that. I mean there are still people today who are racist and I know my dad grew up with segregation so it is still not gone from our society. It is probably something we will always deal with because it existed in the first place. The only thing about this book I didn't like and why I only gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was that some of the characters and parts of it seemed forced like when his sister sent the money so he could get the land. I mean I was happy for him to get what he so yearned for but just certain parts of the book seemed a little cliche maybe. I knew something was going to happen to Mitchell because it was part of his character but I thought the killing of the horse was a low blow. I was really sad at that part. Overall it was a pretty good read. I love historical fiction and want to finish the rest of this series.
—Lindsay
I am not exaggerating when I say this is one of the greatest books ever! The Land is about an African American boy named Paul Edward Logan, who lives on his white fathers plantation. Paul lives in the time of racism, slaves, and disrespect of black men and women. Even his very own father treats him differently than Pauls white brothers he cannot eat at the table when there are guests. Nor can he talk to white men the way they treat him. Paul begins to realize the truth of it all. However, he does not give up his dream to own his own land. He does not lose faith, even when his father denies him an opportunity to race a horse for cash. Denial only pushes him to accept the offer, but the owner of the horse refuses to pay him his winnings. Mitchell, his personal bodyguard, decides to take matters into his own hands and makes them running for their lives. The Land takes the readers on a journey of Pauls determination, hard work, and his daring and desperate decisions.One reason I absolutely love this book is because of the plot! The way Paul and African Americans are treated helps me understand what it was like for people, like Paul during the 1800s. This book helps me realize how hard it was back then to treat others respectfully while they mistreat you, to try to be quiet when a white man was speaking! For example, in the book, Paul is not allowed to hit his brother when he has done something wrong because he is white. It makes me think about how unfair it was a century ago. People were treated unjust because of the color of their skin! I now appreciate my life much, much more, knowing how many lifestyles used to be.In addition to this, I love the suspense! There is always something exciting happening from the horse race to the fights where Mitchell, Pauls bodyguard protects him. What makes this book so fascinating is the fact that there is always something incredible, simply amazing happening. This makes me want to read more! Not only is it entertaining, but also this book raises many intriguing questions. For example, what is going to happen to Paul, what dramatic decision will he make now, and how is Pauls father going to react to this chaos? As you can tell, many questions arise. This is one great aspect of The Land.I recommend this book to readers who enjoy books based on history something that actually happened. The Land is based on true facts how people were considered, how lifestyles were for African Americans, and how there were many unjust, unfair laws. This book has a wonderful plot, which is not only entertaining, but also educational. You would have to read it yourself!I can understand why this book won the Coretta Scott King Award!
—Saba
The LandMidred D. Taylor375 pgs.Have you ever suffered from identity crisis? Have you ever thought am I to call myself black or am I to call myself white? Have you ever let society choose your ethnicity for you? In the land Paul-Edward Logan faced all of these questions. Paul suffered from identity crisis all throughout his childhood. His mother was a former slave and black and his father was the owner of the planation, the master to the slaves and white. Paul himself was born into slavery and he was a slave until after the American Civil war. Paul childhood was a very big question that he could never answer; am I black or am I white? Society choose him as black. But he didn't want to believe that because he lived a white life that his three white brothers lived. He was taught how to read, wirte and figure by his father and his brothers. He was well clothed. He knew how to ride horses really well and tame them too. Paul was very gifted.. But it wasn;t until three occassions in his life that paul realized that he was black and no matter how white he looked, society and even his family is going to look at him as a black person. He realized that he wasn't going to get the same priviledged as white people got.It wasn't until the last occassion in Paul's life, that paul thought to himself its time to change my life, and live it as a black man. Paul put all of his childhood memories behind him except for those that taught his him life long lessons. And he went on to survive with only his skills with and his friend Mitchell.I could go in more detail but I don't want to give away details. This book is very detailed and well written and the detail allowed me to put myself in Paul's shoes and experience all that he did. At times I got mad with Paul, I got sad with Paul, I even got happy with Paul. And being allowed to do that just made this book even better. I recommend this book to those who needs a good read that doesn't only entertain you but teaches you lessons as you read.
—Destiny
