Ala Book of the Year • Volunteer State Book Selection •
Garden State Book Award Finalist • Nevada Young Readers Award • Forward Magazine Gold-Winner Book of the Year
When fourteen-year-old Francie befriends Ruthie, a black girl, amidst the rampant prejudice of their small town in 1960s Alabama, Francie suffers greatly from the gruesome harassment of her white peers. But Ruthie demonstrates the humanity and love that helps Francie uncover the truth behind her mother's death and deal with her father's neglect and alcoholism.
Praise
“The Stones of Mourning Creek pegs Les Becquets as a reader to watch. . . . Fourteen-year-old Francie’s intelligent, fair-minded viewpoint will keep readers hooked.”
— Publisher’s Weekly
“On the heels of Kimberly Willis Holt and Kate DiCamillo comes another notable Southern voice. Like the others, Les Becquets deals with a small-town community. Spring Gap, Alabama, in 1966, however, is not a heart-warming or quirky town, but an insidious one, where civil rights have not yet reached and in which residents remain silent of fear of retaliation from the sheriff and his posse. This silence hides the secrets of 14-year-old Francie Grove's mother's death. As Francie pieces together how her mother died, her life also becomes a struggle to deal with the town's rampant discrimination and racism. African-American Ruthie Taylor and her family become Francie's new family after saving her from a snakebite and while Francie's alcoholic father spends many nights away from home. For her friendship, Francie suffers taunting and even violence. Rooted against the hatred bred within the small town are Francie's resilience and her commitment to her friendship with Ruthie; to her first love, Earnest, the town bastard; and to the truth about her mother. This finely polished and suspenseful tour de force, with its shocking ending, will haunt readers long after the story is finished.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred)
“This gripping story realistically portrays life in the 1960s and offers a look at both the ugliness and beauty of people who tried to make life better for others. A must-read.”
— Children’s Literature