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 Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
The End of the Sidewalk by Nancy Schutt McCorkle centers on a white girl named Gertrude, or Trudy, growing up in Mississippi during the early 1960s. Segregation and clashes over civil rights are part of her everyday life. Her mother, who serves on the state’s interracial commission, invites some Freedom Riders over to their home one night, and from then on, their family faces harassing phone calls, late-night threats, and even violence as they speak out for change. At the same time, Trudy begins junior high and experiences shifts in friendships, as well as new ones. A secret bond with a Black girl she meets through their housekeeper, Jetta Mae, forces her to see how unfair it is in their town, when all she wants is for them to be friends out in the open. Where is the true “end of the sidewalk,” and what happens when a girl dares to step past it?
As an educator, I think The End of the Sidewalk by Nancy Schutt McCorkle could be used to start class discussions on inequality, kindness, and friendship. I also think it would be an excellent choice for classroom reading to understand civil rights better. When I read it, I truly felt empathy for Trudy and the others in the story who were just trying to make life equitable for everyone. I also like how she’s a real kid: she’s stubborn, scared, hopeful, a bit naïve, and only tries to do what she believes is fair, even when some adults around her don’t. The writing is clear, making it easy to visualize what was happening. When reading about Trudy visiting her beloved Miss Magnolia, it was as if I were right there with her. Aesop once said, “A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees,” so if you’re looking for a read that reinforces that golden rule and also pulls at your heartstrings, then this is the book for you. This truly is a great read!
