The Ever-After Bird by Ann Rinaldi

Reviewed by Keri

Ratings

Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content

Guide to Rating System

LANGUAGE

VIOLENCE

SEXUAL CONTENT

ADULT THEMES

Ratings Explanation

Language:  Common swear words.  Several uses of the name of deity. The word ‘nigger’ used to describe African-Americans.  Degrades  the capability of women.

Violence:  Cece is punished physically and emotionally by father. Cece’s father is shot and killed in a slave dispute.  Slaves are whipped and beaten.  Cece is whipped like a slave while trying to protect Earline.  Earline’s husband is killed for marrying a black woman.

Sexual Content: Cece is injured and concerned the doctor will have to go fishing under her skirts to remove her hose.  A slave owner makes advances towards a young slave which results in her becoming pregnant.  After a couple is married, the woman says that “he bedded me last night.”  Cece discusses menstruation with another woman and the doctor.

Adult Themes:  Both of Cece’s parents die.  Her father was verbally and physically abusive towards her.  Her mother died after giving birth to Cece while her father was out with another woman.  The story is about an abolitionist who is trying to guide slaves in the south to freedom.  There are descriptions of the poor living conditions of the slaves they meet.  There are also descriptions (blunt but not graphic) of slave beatings.  A young black boy is experimented on by a doctor trying to learn how to  control fevers.  The boy is forced into a heated pit wrapped in a blanket and brought out as he becomes unconscious. One slave’s head is encased in an iron type cage with antlers and bells to prevent him from running away.  There is controversy over a white man marrying a black woman.

Synopsis:

After Cecilia’s father is shot in a slave dispute, her uncle Alex, a doctor and ornithologist, comes to take her to live with him and his wife.  Alex is an abolitionist like his brother.  He decides to take Cece on a trip down south to visit plantations in search of the rare scarlet ibis.  The slaves call it the Ever-After Bird because they believe when they see it they will be set free.   Alex brings with him his assistant Earline who is a college student.  Because she is black, she poses as their slave on the trip.  Uncle Alex explains to Cece that this trip has another purpose and that is to care for the sick slaves and direct them to the Underground Railroad.  As their trip progresses, the stark contrast between the wealthy homes of the plantation owners and the deprived and dirty shacks of the slaves helps Cece to understand her father and uncle’s passion for helping the African-American people.

This story was a powerful illustration of the suffering and injustice that many African-Americans experienced living as slaves in the south.  The author covered some painful topics and although they were not overly graphic, they were blunt.  I would caution parents to read this book with their child and discuss with them some of the issues that are addressed.

©2009 The Literate Mother