Mark S. Parker

I read this in one sitting and as the book ended, I had cold chills all over my body. I loved this story. . It's sort of a To Kill A Mockingbird story for a younger audience. I wanted to get to know Mr. Boone myself and spend time in this little Texas town. I grew up in the south during thus very time and know first hand the prejudices and injustices. Thankfully I was not raised in an atmosphere of prejudice. I now in Boone, NC as a retired teacher, where there is little diversity. I want to introduce this book to middle schools here. It would be a great class read which offers a wealth of discussion opportunities. Thank you Mr. Parker for the PDF of your heart warming story.

Shaky Man Summary

Published October 15th 2015 by Brown Books Kids

Stay away from Shaky Man. Every kid in the small town of Tonkaway, Texas, knows that.

He eats little kids, murdered his wife, and mistreats his dogs, to boot. That’s what they say, anyway. Top doesn’t entirely know what to think about the rumors. He’s too busy settling into his new home, playing baseball and making friends—like Mickey, a black boy who soon becomes his best friend of all.

Everything changes when a shocking murder turns the town, along with Top and Mickey’s lives, upside down. Neighbors show their true colors. Shaky Man’s secrets are revealed. Through it all, Top learns again and again just how confusing and unfair the world can be. A tale of childhood set in the 1960s, Shaky Man timelessly reaffirms the basic goodness of humanity and the importance of friendship and compassion in the face of prejudice.… (mehr)

I enjoyed this book and really give it three-and-a-half stars. I previewed Shaky Man for my eight year-old son (who reads at a much higher reading level) to make sure it was content-appropriate. The author did a good job of painting a portrait of rural Texas in the 1960s and of creating interesting and believable characters. I also appreciated the voice of the main character, which remained consistent throughout.

Unfortunately, I found the plot completely predictable--but maybe younger kids wouldn't. I also would have liked to see the race issued addressed more directly through any of the African American characters in the story. The impact of the racist incidents in the book seemed too glossed-over for my taste. That said, this book is a great tool for opening the door to a discussion of the history of race relations in our country. Any boys interested in baseball will also be all over this book. I will encourage my son to read it and talk to him about the book afterward. A solid and educational read.
… (mehr)