The Parker Inheritance

 Johnson, Varian. (2018). The Parker Inheritance. Arthur A. Levine Books. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978- 

   0545946179

Synopsis:

When Candice finds a letter in an old attic in Lambert, South Carolina, she isn't sure she should read it. It's addressed to her grandmother, who left the town in shame. But the letter describes a young woman. An injustice that happened decades ago. A mystery enfolding its writer. And the fortune that awaits the person who solves the puzzle. So with the help of Brandon, the quiet boy across the street, she begins to decipher the clues. The challenge will lead them deep into Lambert's history, full of ugly deeds, forgotten heroes, and one great love; and deeper into their own families, with their own unspoken secrets. Can they find the fortune and fulfill the letter's promise before the answers slip into the past yet again?

My Review:

   I was very excited about this book because I love mysteries, and this one sounded very intriguing. What intrigued me more was the tie-in of family history and digging into the past. I love learning about my family history and find that as Candice and her friend Brandon try to solve the puzzles, they dig into family history and town history. Throughout the story, you can make connections with the real-world realities of racism. As I read the story, I thought of so many ways that the students could dig into the storyline as well as ask their grandparents or great-grandparents what life was like with segregation, and during the 1950’s. The story includes so many elements that we may not think about because of our own race or simply the fact that we didn’t grow up in the ’50. The issue of using the word “colored” instead of African American, or when they are harassed, they don’t say anything even when asked if they are okay. There is so much that can be discussed throughout this story, and I think it is a great book for all.   

Awards/Reviews:

A Coretta Scott King Author Honor winner

A Boston Globe / Horn Book Honor winner

Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year

Bookpage Best Books of the Year

Horn Book Fanfare Best Books of the Year

NPR Best Books of the Year

New York Public Library Top Ten Books of the Year

Chicago Public Library Best Books of the Year

School Library Journal Best Books of the Year

Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year

Boston Globe Best Books of the Year

Parents Magazine Best Books of the Year"

Connections:

-          Scholastic offers lesson plan ideas for all subjects and has a lot of information that can be used.

-          This book could lead to conversations about racism.

-          You could use this book to lead students into researching their family history and interviewing older members of their family.

-          Read the story behind the book on Varian Johnsons site.

-          Read Varian Johnson’s other books.