Student Review: Sugar

Review by: Emiko A.T.

Author: Jewell Parker Rhodes

Number of pages: 272 pages

10-word summary: sugar is hard, can a forbidden friendship still survive consequences

Rating: 3 stars

Review: I did quite enjoy this book, but I gave it a three star rating because in some areas the details were a bit confusing. This book is set in the winter of 1870, on River Road sugar plantation on the banks of the Mississippi. Though slavery is over, it doesn't mean terrible work in the sugar cane fields isn't over. The main character Sugar, lives on the plantation. Though the work is grueling, and the living conditions poor, Sugar has spunk and finds her fun even though it happens to be with her forbidden friend the plantation owner's son When workers are sent to the plantation to harvest sugar cane, the River Road folks feel threatened that they will take their jobs. Though the people of River Road are skeptical Sugar is fascinated about their culture. Unlikely friendship are born and many adventures are told in this worthwhile tale. Overall it was a good read.

Favorite quotation: "Folks say, "There wouldn't be any wouldn't be any good food without sugar." Like rhubarb cobbler....But I hate sugar. I won't eat it. Not ever. "No sweets, just savories," I used to tell Ma. "Corn bread. Grits." Even nasty okra and green beans are better than sugar." (page 3)