Reviews

With the Might of Angels: The Diary of Dawnie Rae Johnson, Hadley, Virginia, 1954 by Andrea Davis Pinkney

thepagelady's review against another edition

4.0

Twelve-year-old Dawnie Rae Johnson's life turns upside down after the Supreme Court rules in favor of desegregation in the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education.

As she starts school, Dawnie encounters the harsh realities of racism

Will Dawnie be able to hold on to the true meaning of justice and remain faithful to her own sense of integrity

Thank you Goodreads and Scholastic for a chance to read With the Might of Angels by Andrea Davis Pinkney!

This book was a trip back in time. Not too far but far enough Dawnie Rae Johnson was a brave young girl. This story was well written. And it's sad to say it touches on a subject that is still something our country still struggles with today. This book shows us clearly the heartbreak and the betrayal's that Dawnie had to face. This would be a good book for schools to share with their students. It touched enough of the ugliness that the kids would be able to understand what happened back then. Nice lovely read. Happy reading everyone!!

carolineinthelibrary's review against another edition

5.0

I love Dear America books and this is an excellent one about the struggle Black children faced when integrating, from all sides of their communities. There's some dated language in this book but I think it would be a good teaching opportunity for young readers to learn that some phrases get retired because we recognize the pain that they cause.

saltymage's review

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

badgers's review

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

jdalton's review against another edition

5.0

I think this might be my favorite Dear America book so far. It hit hard but was also really humorous. Dawnie sure loves to hop on her pogo stick!

But in all seriousness, this one dealt with a difficult subject that’s really not that far back in our history, many people who protested against the kids that Dawnie represents are alive today. Gives something to think about.

overlookingcovers's review against another edition

4.0

Wow. Thats what i can say. I really loved this book and it shows Dawns hardships. I felt like i was in her situations and tried thinking about what i would do. This books/diary makes you look back in time and notice the hardships happened during the Civil Rights Movement. I would recommend this book to many people. :)

tara_dear's review

4.0

A fluffy read. Just what I wanted.

musiquedevie's review

5.0

A true gem in the 'Dear America' series, Andrea Davis Pinkney writes a story that takes the reader along Dawnie Rae's journey of integrating her local school in Hadley, Virginia. The novel shows the struggles that she faced from locals, students, teachers, even the principal and how she dealt with the drama stoically and with great strength from a young girl. It was a full account that brought up some details that I wasn't aware of or even read in other books! Ms. Pinkney did a wonderful job in bringing Dawnie Rae, her family and others to life and I hated to see the novel end. What a strong account of what life was like from a young lady's eyes in the South during those turbulent and trying times.

muddypuddle's review

5.0

Take a seat front and center to learn about the beginning of integration/desegregation in Virginia in 1954. I listened to this wonderful, inspired story which was incredibly enhanced by the reading of Channie Waites. Although the Dear America series is not ABOUT real people, I've got to guess they're based on real people, particularly in this case. Fascinating, disgruntling, ridiculous, unbelievable - the idea that people should be divided because of the color of their skin. My granddaughter listened to the first two discs with me and was mesmerized. I'm positive she never had a clue about segregation. This was an outstanding story, taking the reader inside the head of a young African-American girl who had to break those difficult, scary, almost-impossible boundaries set up by white people throughout history in our country. Highly recommended.

abigailbat's review

4.0

I really enjoy the Dear America series, especially on audio, and this was no exception. The narrator had some weird accents for the northern characters, but otherwise it was a solid recording.