The Secret of the Stones (Phyllis Fogelman Books) [Hardcover]

Robert D. San Souci (Author), James Ransome (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Phyllis Fogelman Books

When John and Clara return to their cabin from working in the fields one evening, they are startled to discover that all of their household chores have been done. The mysterious, magical Aunt Easter tells the couple the identity of these unknown benefactors and their connection to the two white stones that Clara keeps in the house. Armed solely with Aunt Easter's advice and their own affectionate, courageous hearts, John and Clara must confront the evil conjure man. Only then will they solve the secret of the stones and fill the void in their childless home.

Robert San Souci has drawn again from the rich legacy of African-American folklore, as he did in his acclaimed The Hired Hand and The Talking Eggs. And the deep, jewellike colors of James Ransome's paintings carry the reader into the majestic Ozark mountains and inside this marvelously dramatic and touching story of love and courage.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ransome's (Uncle Jed's Barbershop) strikingly realistic oil paintings form the backbone for San Souci's (The Talking Eggs) retelling of a folktale from Virginia Holladay's Bantu Tales and based on African-American Arkansas lore. As a childless couple walks home after a long day in the cotton fields, Clara finds two white stones that "shone as pale and round and smooth as twin moons in her cinnamon-colored palm." Though John questions their usefulness ("What yo' gonna do with dose li'l rocks?"), his wife brings the stones home. In a rather abrupt transition, the duo returns home from work the next day to discover their chores mysteriously completed. After a clairvoyant neighbor reveals her dream--that the rocks are actually an orphaned boy and girl--she bids John and Clara to visit the "conjure-man" who transformed the children. Though the pacing here is not as fluid as in some of San Souci's retellings, he skillfully blends dialect and atmospheric description (the villain's eyes "were two narrow slits that made him look mean as a rattlesnake"). Ransome's close-up portraits convey the range of emotions for the couple as well as the liberated children, and his rendering of a white conjure-man delivers a strong underlying message. Ages 4-8. (Dec.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5-A childless, hardworking couple finds two beautiful white stones while walking home from the cotton fields one evening. Clara takes them to their cabin, thinking to use them to sharpen knives, but they are quickly forgotten in the round of continual work. The next few evenings, however, upon their return from work, they find all their chores done and everything set out to cook supper. When the mysterious Aunt Easter informs them that the stones are really two orphaned siblings under the power of an evil "conjure-man," they become determined to release the children and adopt them. San Souci's retelling of a story from both the African and African-American traditions has verve and style, using heavy dialect and chant effectively and maintaining tension right up to the satisfying ending. Ransome's oil-on-paper illustrations are big, bold, and arresting. They have an accomplished kinetic sense that complements the vivid narrative to a tee. A perfectly magical offering.
Ann Welton, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Dial; 1 edition (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803716400
• ISBN-13: 978-0803716407
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,284,133 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A mystery solved, June 27, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Secret of the Stones (Phyllis Fogelman Books) (Hardcover)

With similarities to The Elves and the Shoemaker comes The Secret of the Stones, a folktale based on African and African-American narratives. The illustrations transport the reader to the Ozark mountains. Each day from sun-up to sun-down a childless couple, John and Clara, tend the cotton and vegetables before retiring to their simple meal--peas, okra, corn bread. One evening on the long walk home, Clara stoops to pick up two white stones. She plans to use them to whet her knives and instead brings a mystery into their home. The next evening they find the clothes ironed, wood sawed, floor swept, corn pounded, fire made, and the supper things laid out. Not even a footprint is left. Aunt Easter sends them on an errand to solve the mystery and possibly change their lives. An enchanting book to share.