Finally! There’s a book about African Americans that doesn’t take place during the Civil Rights Era or slavery. Caleb’s Wars by David L. Dudley is a breath of fresh air in the young adult historical fiction genre.
Caleb's Wars
Caleb lives with his family in a predominantly black area of rural Georgia. His brother Randall is enlisted in the army, hoping to fight abroad. When a new restaurant opens in town, Caleb takes a job there despite not being allowed to actually eat there. He ends up working side by side and becoming friendly with a German Prisoner of War.
Caleb’s Wars by David L. Dudley takes on themes of family, race, and religion in an engaging and eloquent manner. Caleb is fed up with his situation in life as a young black teen. His father is controlling and anti-religion. Caleb hates being called ‘boy’ by white men and is enraged over the unfair treatment he receives. In fact, he is SO enraged that he goes out at night to vandalize the property of the whites with his friends. Yet, Caleb also balances his anger with his sense of purpose– a higher calling to do well which he feels after his baptism.
Caleb’s Wars by David L. Dudley is an engaging book about the pre-Civil Rights Era. The reader gets to see a generation on the verge of fighting back. It’s obvious to Caleb, his family and friends that things aren’t right with their social situation, yet they do not rebel or fight against this treatment just yet. Caleb sees that compliance will not give him respect or fair treatment, and I think Caleb’s Wars shows the dawning of what eventually becomes The Civil Rights Era.
Disclosure: Review copy from Amazon Vine.
Other Reviews of Caleb’s Wars by David L. Dudley:
The Fourth Musketeer
Just A Girl
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April (Books&Wine) – who has written 1074 posts on Good Books And Good Wine.
April is 24 years old. She is an educator. In her free time she can be found reading, working out, or eating junk food. She often wears her sunglasses at night.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
i really want this, this review even more
tnx
Why thank you!