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Adrian Fogelin

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Crossing Jordan (Neighborhood Novels Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Adrian Fogelin (Author), Suzy Schultz (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition

4.6 52 ratings

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This moving, coming-of-age story follows a young white girl who overcomes family prejudice and cultural differences when she befriends a black girl in a small working-class town

Twelve-year-old Cassie narrates the dramatic events that unfold when Jemmie, an African-American girl, and her family move in next door. Despite their parents’ deeply held prejudice against each other’s family—exemplified by the fence Cassie’s father builds between their two houses—the girls find they share more similarities than differences. Mutual interests in reading and running draw them together, and their wariness of each other disappears. But when their parents find out about the burgeoning friendship, each girl is forbidden to see the other. A family crisis and celebration provide opportunities for the families to reach an understanding.

Author Adrian Fogelin addresses the complex issues of bigotry and tolerance with sensitivity and intelligence. Readers will find her story of how two adolescent girls, through their own example, teach racial tolerance to the adults in a small Florida town powerful and compelling.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–8—In Adrian Fogelin's contemporary novel (Peachtree, 2000), set in Tallahassee, Florida, 12-year-old Cass Bodine's racist father erects a fence between his house and the house of their new next door neighbors, who are black. "If they stay out of our business and we stay out of theirs, we'll get along fine," he informs his daughter. Despite the racial prejudice on both sides of the fence, Cass and Jemmie, the girl next door, become best friends through a mutual love of running and the trials and tribulations of reading Jane Eyre. When the parents discover the girls' secretive relationship, they forbid them to see each other. But events continue to evolve, and the hearts of both families are tested. The rationale behind bigotry is well fleshed out and delicately examined, but sometimes feels a little over done. Nevertheless, the characters are believable and the story line is sensitive and honest. Fogelin's narration reflects her intricate knowledge of the characters, and she brings the emotional depth of each scene to life. Southern life resonates as the author expertly defines each character's unique traits and dialect. An engrossing, evenhanded look at prejudice and interracial friendship.—Robyn Gioia, Bolles School, Ponte Vedra, FL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

“In this sensitive portrait of black-white relations in a changing neighborhood, Fogelin offers a tactful, evenhanded look at prejudice.” —USA Today

“Fogelin creates Cass and Jemmie as complex characters with the same differences of approach and personality that mark the interactions of other best friends, whatever their skin color. Cass’ straightforward voice never falters, even when she questions her father’s beliefs and her own decisions. Readers will appreciate the honesty of Fogelin’s approach and applaud the two girls in their fast friendship.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Jemmie and Cass are likable, lively characters, and readers will enjoy the repartee between them.” —School Library Journal

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00NOC5NTY
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Peachtree Publishers; 1st edition (October 7, 2014)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 7, 2014
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 3655 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 147 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #2,321,304 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #775 in Children's Black & African American Stories
- #800 in Children's Prejudice & Racism books
- #1,368 in Children's Parent Books

Customer Reviews:
4.6 52 ratings

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Adrian Fogelin

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Adrian Fogelin is the daughter of fiction writer, Maria Bontempi Fogelin, and grew up in a house littered with manuscripts. A slow early reader Fogelin took in stories as her mother read aloud, and in the lively exchange of family tales, giving her writing the freshness of the spoken word.

She is the author of seven novels for middle-grade and young adult readers, including the hugely popular "Crossing Jordan," and has won numerous awards including two Florida Book Award gold medals.

Although she might not pass the "Are you really a grownup?" test, Fogelin definitely gets kids, from the way they talk to the things they yearn for. She is a frequent visitor to schools and libraries all over the counry where she shares her love of writing and story.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5

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mary ostrowski

A lesson about liking your neighbors, no matter what color of skin they have.

Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2021

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A must. This book reveals the true meaning of friendship through the eyes and hearts of children.

One person found this helpful

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James E. Paschal Jr.

crossing Jordan

Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2014

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I loved this book very appropriate for kids from ages 7 and above it tells about how back then white adults didn't like the black adults and black adults don't like white adults. Vey good book very good I loved it

Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2017

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I liked it all kids 12 years old should read it and I rated it 5 star because of the how it should history from long ago

Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2014

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Love the story, love the writing, love Ms. Adrian

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Virginia Walker

This is a wonderful young girl's book which addresses the sensitive issue of ...

Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2015

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This is a wonderful young girl's book which addresses the sensitive issue of racial prejudice in the South. I would feel comfortable in giving this as a give to any young girl.

One person found this helpful

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