The Summer the Wind Whispered My Name: A Novel (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In 1959, eight-year-old Davy Connors leads an idyllic life in his small Midwestern neighborhood. But when a black family moves in to the all-white community, an undercurrent of racism is exposed.

As the issue draws battle lines between friends and family, Davy finds his sympathy for the new family challenged by his father’s bigotry. Can the fragmented community overcome its prejudices and experience true change and healing?

From the Back Cover

Paperboy Davy Connors enjoys a carefree midwestern summer in 1960 until a Negro family moves into the quiet neighborhood. Hidden prejudices surface, dividing friends and families and challenging Davy’s view of the world. Racial tension threatens to split his own family as Davy’s hero worship of his father falters and his mother’s faith is tested.

What is the power of uncompromising faith? Can that faith produce miracles sufficient to restore calm to Davy’s community and at the same time bring peace to his soul?

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: NavPress (July 17, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600061532
• ISBN-13: 978-1600061530
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #403,559 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonder Years, Move Over!, August 21, 2008

By	M. Pearson "M. C. Pearson" (Morganton, NC) - See all my reviews

I don't often give out 5 stars, but I loved this book.

"With hilarious narrative alongside poignant life leesons, Don Locke has captured growing up in the sixties with all its charm as well as its ignorance. Each chapter reminded me of a Wonder Years episode, causing laughter and tears. It saddened me terribly to close the book at the end."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thought-provoking, August 9, 2008

By	Stacey (Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Don Locke's novel, "The Summer the Wind Whispered My Name", is the poignant story of a young boy who confronts his faith in the face of racism on his road to self-discovery during the 1960s. This book impressed me on many levels: its easy readability, the cleverness of the chapter titles, the author's responsible handling of such controversial subject matter with sensitivity and truth, and how the author brilliantly transports the reader back in time to this turbulent era.

The features in this book are incredible, as well. The reader guide includes incredible questions for discussion or contemplation. "The Way Things Were" trivia was fascinating, especially the cost of living statistics. This is a thought-provoking read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable and Uplifting, January 30, 2009

By	Jonathan Hetzel - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

THE SUMMARY: Davy's word revolves around the joys of growing up in his neighborhood--an early morning paper route, street baseball, tree house meetings, homemade fireworks, and quirky neighbors. He emulates his father, and longs to be like him. Yet when a new family moves into the neighborhood, it causes a rift in Davy's family, and eventually, the entire neighborhood, dividing families, dividing neighbors. Davy suddenly doesn't recognize his father and wrestles with defending his father's actions and honestly looking at his dad's flaws.

THE MESSAGE: This is more than a story about racial prejudices in the 1960s. It's the story of a young man who suddenly realizes his father isn't perfect and begins to question many of his foundational beliefs. He longs for his father to be the dad of his dreams and wrestles with finding a balance between doing what is right and also honoring his father. And although Davy comes face to face with the ugly discrimination against a black family, he soon recognizes the many ways his neighbors judge all fringe members of society.

THE PRESENTATION: Author Don Locke writes from Davy's perspective. Thus, all adults are addressed as Mr. or Mrs., the joys of life are Good Humor trucks and Roy Rogers belt buckles, and the best way to seal a promise is with boogers. Most of the time Locke refrains from making Davy sound like an adult, although there are a few times Davy sounds older and wiser than his age. This is Locke's second book about Davy, although this one is a prequel to The Reluctant Journey of David Connors. It probably helps to read that book first as there are scenes in The Summer the Wind Whispered my Name that set up The Reluctant Journey.

THE QUOTE: "Maybe there was no real normal. And maybe that was a good thing. I wondered if maybe that's what God had in mind all along."

THE RECOMMENDATION: 3 out of 5