This is a wonderful book, one of the best I've read in a long while. It's a sequel to his earlier novel, "Jim the Boy" and is even better than the first, which is saying a lot.
I have to say it took me a little while to get into this book but when I did I found it worth it even though this is the type of book that I wouldn't have normally picked out for myself to read. I am glad, however, that this book was sent to me because I really did have a great experience reading it.
The time frame is on the eve of World War II and Jim is now a senior in High School. Jim has broken up with his long time girlfriend Norma, and has become smitten with a half Indian girl named Chrissie. The problem with this is the book takes place in Aliceville, North Carolina circa 1941 so racism and backwards thinking runs deep. Also, Chrissie's grandparent's also work and live on a prominent family's property which their son has laid claim to Chrissie to be his fiance, no matter how much Chrissie disagrees with it. Jim, through twists and turns in the plot line, and family secrets revealed, pursues Chrissie, having fallen in love with her.
The sexist, bigoted, and downright backward way of the characters is sometimes hard to see past or even relate to when you are 31 years old and have no clue on how things really were back then but it's also interesting if you find that period in American history something you wish to relive or learn about. Another refreshing thing about this book is it's a book that if my 13 year old would pick up I honestly wouldn't have any problems with her reading but it's not a young adult book by any stretch of the means. I'd recommend this book to a few members of my family and friends.