Sounder

Title: Sounder

Author: William H. Armstrong

Publisher: HarperTrophy

Date: 1969

Number of pages: 116 Pages

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Summary: SOUNDER is the story of a poor African American family in the late 19th century south. Sounder, the family's hunting dog, is responsible for much of the family income: he finds and tracks game that the father can eat and sell. Problems arise when the local white sheriff and his men think the family has become a little too prosperous. An event then happens which becomes a turning point in the oldest boy's life. 

Sounder is the loyal coon hunting dog of a family of black sharecroppers. At the heart of the tale is the oldest son in this family, plagued by loneliness, helpless rage, and a burning desire to learn to read. The owner of the land they live on has been careful to space families out, presumably so that they won't band together, so they basically have no neighbors and it is too far for the boy to walk to school. The boy's parents are strong willed, and his mother is deeply religious, but they are very reserved. The boy is very much alone, more so because he can't read, and Sounder is very nearly his best friend. Even this rather isolated world is shattered though when the father is sent to prison for stealing a ham and the men who come to take him away shoot Sounder in the process.

The story of how first Sounder and then the family heal themselves and of how the boy eventually learns to read are really moving

My reaction:   In the nearly 35 years since it was published, SOUNDER has lost none of its original power or impact. I think this book, by William H. Armstrong, was very good. It proves to be a very good example and teaching tool against the battles of prejudices.

Potential problems: Inequality and prejudice behavior throughout, but is corrected by family values and love.

My recommendation:  This book is one of those inspiring stories that is not only entertain children, but teach them valuable lessons in human nature, relationships, and learning. A very, very important book for us all.