Ever read a book that haunted you? One that would not, no matter how you tried, allow you to put it down until the last page was read? If it’s been awhile since you’ve had that type of a reading experience, then it’s time to read Sandrine’s Letter to Tomorrow by Dedra Johnson.
Sandrine, a girl of nine living in New Orleans in the mid-1970′s, has had to grow up much faster than any little girl should have to do. Her mother makes it painfully clear she was never wanted and has interfered in her mother’s life in every way possible. Her father loves her, but only from a distance. She seems to be tossed aside carelessly by everyone who is supposed to love and care for her; no one protects her.
Written in first person, Sandrine is a very real character from page one. Despite the fact that it is told through the eyes of a child, the voice is intelligent and mature for her years. But Sandrine is still only a child. The reader will understand much more of what is happening in Sandrine’s life than she does. Sandrine is taken through difficulties no child should experience, including racism (even among her own family due to her light skin) sexual assault, and child abuse.
Dedra Johnson has a unique voice, and with her skills at writing page-turning narrative, I’m certain it’s only a matter of time before we hear more from her. Her work has an appeal that can easily hook you; with the right promotion, hers will become more than just another book on the shelf. I’m not the only one who feels this way – she’s been compared to Toni Morrison, and I have to agree it has that beautiful yet heartbreaking quality Morrison is known for.
Dedra Johnson is a New Orleans native. Dedra was a finalist for the Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Award for College Writers and Sandrine’s Letter to Tomorrow was a finalist for the 2006 William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Award. Check back tomorrow to read my interview with Dedra where she’ll give us some insight on her book.
I have a copy of Sandrine’s Letter to Tomorrow to give away to one reader. As always, subscribers are automatically entered in this and all future book giveaways. (If you’re not subscribed, please type your email address in the box in the right-hand column. Make sure you add Feedburner to your address book so you can verify your subscription.) You can also enter by leaving a comment telling me what interests you about the book, or link to this giveaway from your own blog. Do all three, and you have three entries. I’ll draw a winner on April 24, 2008, 12 midnight. (***Note: Contest is now extended to April 25, 2008 midnight. This drawing is now listed on Bloggy Giveaways, which is having a huge giveaway carnival. If you like giveaways, this is the place to be this week!)
A carp(e) libris reviews goldfish award book.
It sounds very interesting.
Interesting read
Just from your description, I already want to know what happens to this little girl.
Sounds like a great read.
Sounds like a great book!
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looks cool.
I would love love love this book. Count me in!
enter me.
love to read this
I’d like to read this!
Happy Monday! It has been quite awhile since I have read a real page turner! This story sounds so true to life for too many young children! The cover itself is rather haunting. Please enter me in this book drawing. I appreciate it. Many thanks…..Cindi
I like books that stick in your mind. Great giveaway! Count me in. bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
I’ve been looking for a book that holds me captive to the very last page. This sounds like the one.
I love when books haunt me… therefore, I’d love to win a copy of this one.
this sounds fascinating
I would love to read this. From the description it sounds a little like another wonderful book-Bastard out of Carolina.
Sandrine is taken through difficulties no child should experience, including racism (even among her own family due to her light skin) sexual assault, and child abuse.
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Having lived through some of the civil rights struggle in both Lousiana (Kenner… just outside of New Orleans)and Mississippi…this would be a valuable addition to my book collection dealing with topics such as this. It sounds riveting! (Have you read “Strange Fruit” by Lillian Smith?)
I would love to read this
I would love to win this book, it sounds very captivating. Thanks for the great giveaway!
Sounds like a wonderful summer read…and in a place in this country that I adore…thanks
Being told from the point of view of a child is intriguing…count me in!
if Johnson is being compared to Morrison, I guess it’s a good read – a book with a heart.
please count me in.
i’m also subscribed to your feed.
thanks.
This sounds like just the kind of book I love to read. Thanks for the chance to win.
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A book that resounds with me and would be unforgettable and memorable. Thanks for this chance.
Sounds like an interesting book for my daughter
I love to read, and I am always looking for new authors.
Sounds like a great read, thanks!
looks great
I feel like I have been reading a lot of books that are good, not great lately. I could really use a really haunting book!
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I’ve never read a dramatic story written in first person through a child’s eyes, I’m really interested in checking out this one.
I have only read a book that haunted me a couple of times and the last time was last summer. I still think about it sometimes. I would really love to read this one.
Love to read…good for the mind
I would love to read another book about New Orleans – A Confederacy of Dunces is one of my favorites
There’s nothing better than curling up with a good book. Look forward to reading this one !
sounds great
I like books about New Orleans
Wow this really sounds interesting. I love historical fiction, and the New Orleans aspect is always interesting. I’m sure it will be fascinating especially since the author is a native.
I’ll also be linking to this on my blog
love New Orleans stories
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This book sounds like a “good read”.
Ooh, ooh…I’m in!!! Why am I not getting so many entries for my contests???
I have heard great things about this book. It kinda reminds me of “She’s Come Undone”, both tragic and funny.
sounds great; would love to be captivated by this good read
Enter me please!
Great book!
Ready to start a new book.
The synopsis of the novel caught my attention – it sounds very intriguing to me. I would love to win this. Thanks!
I love reading stories set in New Orleans and this would be a great book for the summer. Thanks for the giveaway.