The Friendship (Paperback)

by Mildred D. Taylor (Author), Max Ginsberg (Illustrator) "Now don't y'all go touchin' nothin'," Stacey warned as we stepped onto the porch of the Wallace store..." (more)
Key Phrases: Tom Bee, Little Man, Aunt Callie (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
It's hot and humid in 1933 Mississippi, when an elderly black man and a white store owner test their friendship against a backdrop of racism and peer pressure. An explosive confrontation takes place when the black man, Tom Bee, greets the clerk, John Wallace, by his first name--an intimacy unheard of at the time. A group of witnesses heckles Wallace for what they perceive as his permissiveness, and in spite of his private promise to Bee to allow him to greet him this way, Wallace betrays Bee, shooting him in the leg. This brief but poignant story won the 1988 Coretta Scott King Award. It provides strong characterization as well as food for discussion on racism and human relations. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal
Grade 2-6 A hot, humid afternoon in Mississippi in 1933 is the setting for a tense drama and tragic confrontation between Mr. Tom Bee, an elderly black man, and a white store owner, John Wallace. The interaction between the two men portrays how severely the bonds of friendship can be tested against a backdrop of racism, peer pressure, and individual rights. This novella is narrated by Cassie Logan from Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (Dial, 1976). She and her brothers go to the country store for some medicine for a neighbor. At the store, they are hassled by Wallace's sons. They run into Mr. Bee, who addresses John Wallace by his first name. Blacks are forbidden to do so, but Mr. Bee had saved John's life on more than one occasion, and John had given him permission to call him by his first name. Under pressure and taunting by the men in his store, John reneges on his promise in an explosive and devastating outburst. The characterization is very strong in this brief drama, and the events of this fateful afternoon will be unforgettable. The black-and-white illustrations are noteworthy, and depict the story's mood and action well. This book lends itself well to discussions on various topics pertaining to human relations. Jeanette Lambert, Albuquerque Public Library, N.M.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 56 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140389644
• ISBN-13: 978-0140389647
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #25,882 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A powerful and disturbing story, October 31, 2001

By	Michael J. Mazza (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

Mildred D. Taylor is a formidable presence in literature for young people. She is a recipient of the Newbery Medal, and this book, "The Friendship," is a winner of the Coretta Scott King Award. Together with Taylor's other books, "The Friendship" explores some painful aspects of African-American history.

This story takes place in Mississippi in the 1930s, and is told by Cassie, a young Black child. The conflict in the story revolves around Mr. Tom Bee, an elderly Black man who refuses to observe the racist custom that requires African-Americans to address all white-skinned men as "Mister."

"The Friendship" is a powerful story with great educational value. Taylor offers an unflinching look at life in the South before the civil rights movement. But be warned: this is a grim, violent story which, despite its title, carries very little hope of redemption or reconciliation. And a subplot involving one character is left dangling. Although all readers may not find the book wholly satisfying, I still recommend "The Friendship" as an important piece of fiction.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mildred Taylor's books are for just about everyone!, April 19, 1999

By A Customer

The Friendship was one of the greatest books written by Mildred Taylor. I have read a lot of her books, and this is definitely a 5 star winner. It really gives you the feel of how it was to live life back in the 1930's. It has a bit of humor, suspense, and some parts were meant to make you cry.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alyssa's review, February 6, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Friendship (Hardcover)

The story takes place in Mississippi in the 1930's. Mr. John Wallace had told the
Black sand the kids to call him "MR. John," not to call him by his first name because that's not right according to Mr. Wallace. The kids are allowed in Mr. Wallace's store. But Cassie and her brothers have been warned twice not go into the store because they will get into trouble. Then Mr. Tom Bee went into the store to buy medicine for Aunt Callie because she was very sick. Then Mr. Tom Bee went fishing. He had some fish in his hands and the kids and Mr. Tom Bee went into the store to buy some sardines and some candy canes. He handed out the candy to the kids. One of them had said no because "My hands were too dirty because " Mr. Tom Bee said, "Don't listen to them."

Tom Bee and the kids went walking to the store again to buy tobacco. Cassie asked Mr. Tom Bee, "Why do you call Mr. Wallace by his first name?" "Because I had saved his life twice when he almost drowned. I gave him a place to sleep and something to eat," Mr. Tom Bee answered. In the store Mr. Tom Bee called him by his first name in front of the men. The other men said, "Are you going let him to talk to you like that?" One of his sons was looking at him mad. Then Mr. Wallace went outside with the gun and shot him in the leg. He said," You owe me, John. I saved your life twice. You will stay the same till judgment day." "Then you have to kill me here on the road," Mr. Tom Bee said. Then he said his name two to three different times. The kids started to cry and they stared at him. And there was no sound of him.

I really liked the book a lot. At the end of the book was kind of sad when Mr. Wallace shot Mr. Tom Bee in the leg. I learned that most White didn't got along with the Black s at all. Also, I learned that many Whites didn't treat the Blacks right at all.