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Words by Heart
by Ouida Sebestyen
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Bantam (1983-11-01)
ISBN: 0553259008
EAN: 9780553259001
Mass Market Paperback
Reading Level: Young Adult
Release Date: 1983-11-01
SKU: M133617
Condition: Good
Comments: 0553259008 MMPB free of markings. Cover shows moderate wear w/ several creases. Interior evidences only gentle use, spine is uncreased & is straight, pages clean; overall, still a serviceable reader copy. Your book will be carefully protected for transit in sturdy, weather-resistant packaging. We are prompt, efficient, communicative.
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
A young black girl struggles to fulfill her papa's dream of a better future for their family in the southwestern town where, in 1910, they are the only blacks.
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Customer Reviews
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A very good book
Rating  (4)
Date: 2007-11-29
Lena Sill is an eight year old, African American girl. She has a Papa named Ben and a step-mother whom she calls Claudie. Lena also has a five year old brother named Roy, a three year old sister named Armilla, and a baby brother named Brother.
Lena's family works for Mrs. Chism. Lena misses a lot of school because of her housekeeping for Mrs. Chism. However, she gets the school work beforehand so she doesn't fall behind.
This book is really good, I think, because it is a very touching story. Sebestyen was able to get excitement in the olden day book by having a contest, adventures, and fun. This book is interesting in every way.
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Life of Fear
Rating  (3)
Date: 2007-07-02
Lena is a black girl living in an all-white town shortly after slavery is abolished. Her father and stepmother and younger siblings used to live in a segregated black town, but her father wanted more opportunities for his children. Here in this new town, Lena's life isn't easy. She goes to school with other kids who largely ignore her despite her intelligence.
When a contest is announced to see which student in town is able to quote the most Bible verses from memory, Lena thinks this is her chance to prove herself and gain acceptance from her classmates and to make her father proud. It is a tough competition; it seems for awhile to Lena that Winslow Starnes, the clear favorite of the town, will beat her. But Lena manages to keep her mind clear and pull up enough verses to beat him.
Far from gaining her acceptance in town, this win may actually make Lena more of an outcast. Her dog is murdered and her home threatened. Her father keeps her out of school until things cool down and sends her to work for a grumpy old lady who has wonderful books she won't let Lena borrow. Everything seems to be going wrong. Is her father's patience despite the situation really the way to act? Is it wrong for Lena to get angry about the way she is treated?
This book was a good historical view of a certain time in history through the eyes of a character who is struggling to be herself in a place where she is disliked. I liked the optimism of Lena's father, despite everything that happened to him. However, I thought at times that Lena's father should have done something more to make sure his family was safe.
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Don't miss this book!
Rating  (5)
Date: 2006-11-26
This book was thoroughly captivating and well written. I finished it in two nights, and I have 3 children!! Portrays a type of character that one rarely encounters in our present society, enduring hardships not easily understood. You gotta read this book!, and then buy one for everyone you know.
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Excellent Read for Tweeners
Rating (5)
Date: 2006-08-24
2 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
My daughter enjoyed reading this book along with me. Good fiction related to black history and christianity.
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Realistic Portrayal
Rating  (2)
Date: 2004-06-17
6 out of 8 customers found this reveiw helpful
I read this book as part of an Education Class requirment this semester. I started reading this book reluctantly and was going to skim through it to get only the information that I needed for the exam. I found myself engulfed, reading everysingle word and not stopping until I had finished the book. It is a very good portrayal of a young sheltered child that learned a terrible reality about prejudice and racism. In the end, this child showed courage and loyalty far behond her age. Her head held high, she did not deviate from her convictions or responsibility.
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