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!)
wOOt!
Sounds heartbreaking, insightful, tender…would definately like to read ths book.
I love to read and haven’t read a REALLY good one in a while. Sounds like this may be the one.
I’m ready for a new book I can’t put down.
I love wonderfully written coming of age stories. This one sounds beautiful
Always looking for a good old fashioned page-turner and this sounds like it fits the bill!
Hmmm…interesting.
Nice book jacket photography
I love reading thrilling books! The books you can’t put down are the best! Thanks for the chance to win!
Yes, please enter me!! I also subscribed. What a terrific book!
I love finding authors I’ve never read before. It’s like opening a gift. I’m suscribing too.
I have never heard of this book before. It really sounds like a great book!!! I’m going to add it to my list of “must read” books. Thank you for reviewing it and for offering it as a prize.
This sounds like a very sad and touching story. I’d like to read it because it seems like the type of story that will teach you a thing or two. Sounds great!
The thing that interests me about this book is the good review. I love all different kinds of books, and reading a good review about one makes me want to read it.
this sounds like a really interesting subject esp. told through the eyes of a child
Oh, this sounds so sad. I can’t imagine being a child of nine and knowing for certain that my mother didn’t even want me. Looks like if I read this, I’ll be purchasing tissues.
I read A LOT but it’s been a while since I’ve read one I couldn’t put down. I would love to read a book like that.
Sounds like a good read!
this is a really interesting idea for a book, i like the through they eyes of a child twist
Your review of this book was great and I’d be interested in reading it.
Thanks for the chance to win this book, looks like it would be a thought provoking read.
this sounds like my kind of book…please enter me!
I am intrigued by the review comparing the author to Toni Morrison as well as the story being told from the perspective of a child. Life and the tragic events that happen to everyone and how each individual responds make interesting reading.
intriguing book – love a great page turner!!!
Sounds interesting
I would love to read this book.
sounds like a very good book-I’d love to read this
I would love to read this book!! Please enter me in this contest
That sure sounds like a great book I would love. Thank you for the great giveaway!
Take Care,
Marilyn
This sounds like a great read. Please enter me. Thanks
The haunting part intrigues me.
The story of a child struggling to grow up and cope with abuse interests me.
I love a mystery and this book
creates a interest for me.
Books written in the first person are always the best!
The story really interests me, I would love to read this book.
I love books written in the first person. The storyline sounds really gripping.
i love coming-of-age novels and i’m also an abuse survivor of sorts.
enter mine as well: http://www.taking-back-control.com
it’s lonely over there.
That book sounds very interesting!
I would love to read this and I’m subscribing so I can win all your other giveaways too!
I love to read books that come recommended from someone else, and the fact that this is told by a child makes it sound even more interesting. I’m going to subscribe to you right now!
Sounds like a great book! I actually grew up near New Orleans in the 70s!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!
The fact that it is told in first person makes it sound like a wonderful book!
I’ve subscribed to your feed too!
What a wonderful giveaway you are doing here.
Have fun with your giveaway. Don’t forget to head on over to my blog and enter mine!
I love Southern fiction…especially books set in Louisiana. I used to live there…. Thanks!
meg.wilson@gmail.com
I can’t imagine having the people who are supposed to love me… not love me. I’d like to know how she handles it.
It does sound like a book that would haunt you.