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River, Cross My Heart
245 pages, 1999
The acclaimed bestselling selection of Oprah's Book Club, which brings the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC, circa 1925, vividly to life. When a young girl tragically dies, the community must face their loss.
This powerful novel charts the fallout from the death of five-year-old Clara Bynum on those she has left behind: her parents, Alice and Willie Bynum, who are torn between the old world of their rural North Carolina home and the new world of the city; friends in the Georgetown neighborhood they now call home; and most especially Clara's sister, ten-year-old Johnnie Mae, who is thrust into adolescence and must come to terms with her conflicting emotions.
In River, Cross My Heart, Breena Clarke paints a vivid picture of the importance of community. The characters in the book lean on each other in times of crisis, showing us that we are stronger together. It's a great reminder to value and nurture the relationships we have in our own communities.
Clarke explores the theme of grief in a profound way. The characters grapple with loss and sorrow, but they also find ways to heal and move forward. This book can help you understand that it's okay to grieve and that healing takes time.
The book showcases the resilience and strength of women. Despite the hardships they face, the female characters in the story remain strong and determined. This is a great book to read if you're looking for stories that celebrate the power and resilience of women.
River, Cross My Heart provides a glimpse into the African American experience in the 1920s. It's a great way to learn about a part of history that is often overlooked. If you're a history buff, you'll definitely want to check out this book.
Despite the challenges and hardships the characters face, hope remains a central theme in the book. Clarke reminds us that even in the darkest times, there's always a glimmer of hope. This book can inspire you to stay hopeful and positive, no matter what life throws your way.
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A novel of impressive depth and humanity, River, Cross My Heart is a heart-wrenching yet ultimately uplifting story of a young girl's tragic loss and triumphant resilience.
Oprah Winfrey - TV host, PhilanthropistClarke's writing is so assured and the characters so real that readers will feel they are stepping into a fully realized world.
Booklist - Book Review MagazineClarke's debut novel is a powerful exploration of grief and resilience, a poignant tale of a young girl's struggle to overcome a devastating loss.
Publishers Weekly - Book Review PublisherClarke's debut novel is a deeply moving and beautifully written exploration of grief and resilience.
Kirkus Reviews - Book Review Journal