Karen Hesse wrote a poetic story by weaving 11 different characters together to share this tale, based on real events. By having 11 different distinct voices, Hesse is able to represent America in the 1920’s as well as modern-day life. By representing in both time periods, Hesse’s story resonates with the young, modern reader. Every reader can find a character they can relate to. Whether it is Leanora, who is struggling to find her way. Or Reynard Alexander, who speaks his opinion in hopes of a safer tomorrow. Or even Merlin Van Tornhout, who finds it easy to hate but difficult to act on his account. These characters can connect to young, modern readers who might be struggling with their own morals and decisions. By writing in poetry, Hesse resonates with young, modern readers, too. Even though poetry is short, sweet and to the point, Hesse utilizes every single word. Her words are well written because they are strategically and efficiently used. Her style is so effective because she writes in a way that gives each character a distinct voice that is unique and original. This clarity of voices between characters makes it easy to find one to connect with on a deeper, much more meaningful level. Leanora, for example, comes alive through her own voice throughout the poems that create her own story that weaves into the bigger story. Her voice shares how difficult it is for her to find her way in a small town where her and her father are the only black individuals living there. At times, she just wants to be alone, but her father says “how alone you want to be, leanora? / you’re already nothing but a wild brown island” (7). She is alone and bullied for her skin color and sometimes, like many can relate to, it is just easier to disappear or escape your problems. She knew she should have blown them off instead, and she even says, “i shouldn’t let them get to me but / i’m a flint quck these days” (10). However, this time in particular, she just could not do that. Instead, she shares that she “walked out of school. / i didn’t know where i was going. / i just walked out / without my coat, / without my hat or rubbers. / i didn’t feel the cold, / i was that scorched” (10). Readers can relate to these struggles that make Leanora come alive. Additionally, she tries to give up on her education, too. This is a message that especially brings her to life because many children living and suffering through diversity would rather quit than endure the pain and battles they face due to circumstances out of their control. Luckily, Leanora had her father who was an excellent support system. She tried telling him she was not going to go back to school, but he told her “of course you are. / no low-down white boy’s gonna stop leanora sutter / from getting an education” (13). This is a message of perseverance and resilience and her father was teaching her the value of both. Readers sympathize with Leanora because she is a motherless child who is trying to make the most of her life, and her voice portrays her strength through her battle. Throughout the story, her awareness to race fosters. She realizes how race affects her life, especially when a young boy in Chicago was killed, even though he was rich and white (35). Her understandings are a reality that bring her character to life because she realizes how race affects the world and she loses her sense of security because of it.
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Reynard used his job as the town’s newspaper editor to share his feelings about the Ku Klux Klan. Although writing his true opinion about how horrible and dangerous they were risked his own life, he did not back down. He risked his life in hopes of saving others. He was doing everything he could to protect his town. Reynard’s character has morals that students need to analyze and see the value in because sometimes doing the right thing is not always the easy way out. Above all, they need to care for each other, even when it is not the popular action to
Reynard used his job as the town’s newspaper editor to share his feelings about the Ku Klux Klan. Although writing his true opinion about how horrible and dangerous they were risked his own life, he did not back down. He risked his life in hopes of saving others. He was doing everything he could to protect his town. Reynard’s character has morals that students need to analyze and see the value in because sometimes doing the right thing is not always the easy way out. Above all, they need to care for each other, even when it is not the popular action to