This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Chris-Jean Clarke for Readers' Favorite
Shaky Man by Mark S. Parker is set in the 1960s and opens with 12-year-old Thomas Oliver Parker ('Topper' to his family, 'Topknot' to Joe Ellis, and 'Top' to his other friends) playing baseball for the Tonkaway All-Stars. When he is not playing baseball, Top and his friends enjoy riding their bikes or going fishing, wading and swimming in the creek, which is easily accessible to the children as it runs behind each of the houses in Tonkaway. Although, Top is the 'new kid in town,' he is readily accepted into the community, and his life seems pretty ideal.
As Mark S. Parker's story unfolds, Top soon discovers, though, that this small town is, in fact, riddled with gossip and prejudices. For instance, his friends, although wary of their neighbor, 'Shaky Man,' taunt him and trespass on his property, causing damage in the process - simply because they choose to believe rumors, however far-fetched. As far as the children are concerned, the fact that their neighbour has peculiar characteristics, such as shaking, is proof of his guilt. Although it isn't too long before Top realises that a few of the adults are equally guilty of prejudice when they shun his friend, Mickey, due to his skin colour, it isn't until Mickey's father is accused of murder that he fully realises how hate-filled these people really are and the extent they are willing to go to have Mickey's father condemned.
I believe Mark S. Parker's story will appeal to children aged 10+. I would also recommend Shaky Man as a resource for educators, parents and guardians to use whenever they wish to raise the topic of prejudice and racism with the youngsters in their care.
