Chapter Book 1: Belle Prater's Boy (Newbery)

Author: Ruth White

Genre: Fiction

Subgenre: Realistic Fiction

Themes: dealing with grief, the loss and death of loved ones, the importance of inner strength, looking beyond a person’s appearance, building friendships

Characters:

~Primary: Woodrow, Gypsy

~Secondary: Belle Prater, Everett Prater, Love Ball Dotson,

 Granny Ball, Grandpa Ball, Porter Dotson, Amos Leemaster, Buzz

 Osborne, Blind Benny

Awards: Newbery Honor Book

Date of Publication: 1996

Publishing Company: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc.

Summary: After the disappearance of Belle Prater, her son Woodrow moves in with his grandparents in Coal Station, Virginia.  The entire town, including his cousin Gypsy who lives next door, is curious about her disappearance, despite the fact that Woodrow is silent on the matter.  Despite his appearance, with hand me down clothes and a cross-eyed stare, Woodrow proves to be a charismatic and witty boy who sees other people for who they are and not what they look like.  By spending time with his cousin, the two grow close, and begin to share their secrets, including what Woodrow knows about his mother’s disappearance and Gypsy’s unresolved feelings about her father’s death.

Recommendations: This book deals with several serious issues, including the loss of and abandonment by a parent.  While the book deals with these topics in a way that is sensitive to younger readers, teachers should ensure that their students are emotionally prepared for reading this book.