Yard War

Excerpt from an email I wrote recently. I’ve been listening to my Amazon Echo Dot read Taylor Kitchings’s book "Yard War." I’ve got the hardbound version also, but for some reason I never read it. My Echo Dot has opened a new world. It’s an old world hidden by my bad eyesight. In the book Taylor’s protagonist’s family is Baptist. I thought Taylor’s family was Episcopalian like me. I’m older than Taylor. I live in Greenwood; he lives in Jackson. When I lived in Jackson we never talked about colored people. I’m sure that I’ve told you my views about non-whites. I was entering Dollar Tree. There was a colored woman and I held the door open for her. Her smile was radiant. Her “Thank you” was her gift. Her eyes told me that I was different, and she entered. Taylor’s protagonist Trip has grown up in an affluent neighborhood with the money necessary for their position... just like Taylor. Trip’s father is also a doctor. Trip is baffled by the treatment of colored people. Years ago when we saw more of each other, we never discussed race matters. I’m rather outspoken with my feelings about racism. Each person should be considered on their own merits... sometimes it takes a good while to know a person, i.g., me and Bob. "Yard War" is a beautiful work. I’m not judging the literary quality. It took a lot of courage on Taylor’s part. What’s wrong with humans...? Humans are the only animal that socially discriminates based on color... a simplistic statement, but true. Unfortunately true. Read Yard War. Also check out Cicero’s (106 B.C. – 43 B.C.) On Friendship. More later.

I thoroughly enjoyed Taylor Kitchings' book! I remember the town, the times, the pain, and the hypocrisy during the civil rights struggle in Mississippi. I recommend it for summer reading for both boys and girls ages 8-12. The girls may not enjoy all the football, but it won't hurt them. It's important that today's kids and their parents understand what it was really like.

I was contacted by the author Taylor Kitchings to ask if I would be interested in giving my viewpoint on Yard War as it was up on Net Galley and seeing as I am a member, maybe I would like to 'give it a go'. So I did. I am really glad that my attention was brought to this book because its a very profound read. Its set in the South in the 60's. Its paramount subject matter is racism. We have two young youths named Trip and Dee, they form a good friendship. A bond. Trips family employ a maid. This is quite common so not unusual at all. but her son is named Dee. So this is where the problem lies. This is also based around the time of the Civil war movement. So its a good history lesson for any YA who wants to become familiar with aspects and race hatred around that time. Trip leads a privileged where he lives in Jackson, Mississippi. His father is a doctor and his Mother is of high standing in society from a well breed background. Dee and Trip are kicking a ball around the yard, nothing wrong with that, but remember, this is in the South and the year is 1960's, there is everything wrong, one is white, one is black. Neighbors looked down on this and lots of fuss and bother ensue. But Dee and Trip's bond is not to be broken. At times I found some things not to be realistic. Let me explain. Tim had a teacher which was quite liberal in her teaching and her emotions and own personal thoughts did get in the way of teaching. Could she remain in that teaching profession unnoticed to be biased? I just wasn't sure. The I could well imagine the segregation of the blacks from the whites, the prejudices that were so well documented. I personally am not racist so at times found this hard to read, and I had to keep reminding myself that this is FACT and this is really how it was. And in some cases still is. I thought this author did a superb job in keeping it inline with historical events as close as could be [this it to what I had read about and not from this book, or media news from the past] I can imagine this book to be a good read for a book class to open a great discussion that could lead to great essays etc. Thank you to the author for drawing my attention to your book. And my thanks to Random House Children's for sanctioning my the book to review.

I know that this was written with the young reader in mind, but adults should read this to better understand what it was really like at this period of time in the deep south. also, it was a really good read. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip back in time.

The book was a good learning lesson on what went on it the civil rights era. This book was a loved book by my friends who loved it as well.

great book for young and old. a peak into childhood in the South and life lessons intertwined superbly.

My 11 yo daughter hasn't been able to get into this book. I think it is more of a boy's book because of the main characters. My daughter had a hard time because she not only didn't like the boy's family, but the boy himself got on her nerves. When reading a book, I find that you need at least one character that you really enjoy finding out what happens to them to really engage in the story.

I received a copy of this book, free, in exchange for my honest opinion. Sometimes I wonder what I would be like if I had been born earlier, if I had been born during slavery, segregation or during a time when interracial dating was illegal. Then I admit the truth, I wouldn’t have survived. I would have been killed during slavery, and lonely during segregation. I was made for the time that I was born in. My personality was not suited for any other time, and I am not sure if that makes sense to those who don’t know me. Race is still a hot button topic today. But sometimes something comes along and helps you see it in a different light. That is what Yard War does.I really enjoyed reading this story. Especially since the narrator’s voice was clear and realistic. It was able to see through his eyes and take on his point of view. Trip is truly innocent and does not pick up on the unspoken rules of his community. I point this out, because if he’s not innocent than everything he does is malicious and it changes the entire story. Being able to see inside Trip’s experience was very important, but I think it would be interesting to see inside Dee’s experience as well. Getting to know the parents behind the kid added another layer to the story. I didn’t believe how the mother and grandmother made up after their argument, it was shallow at best. This was really just a start to something, a portion of the experience for people during this time. But, it was a great read and this is one book that I will definitely be recommending to just about everybody. Not just to readers, but to teachers and other educators as well.