Sounder

This short novel is a terribly sad but very powerful story. It’s the story of a boy, a dog and the horrible tragedy that affects the boy’s family. The boy is the son of an African American sharecropper, a poor farmer who works the land that belongs to another man. At night, the man hunts with Sounder, a mighty mutt of a hunting dog who his children, especially the boy, love dearly. One night, the man goes out without a lantern or the hunting dog, and a wonderful ham appears on the table the next morning. Events spiral down from there, becoming darker as white men come to the house and arrest the man. The scene where the man is arrested feels almost surreal, as if it’s so horrible it couldn’t possibly be happening. Sounder is almost killed when he tries to run after his master, and the boy is devastated and numb by what has happened.

The rest of the book is a coming of age tale, one that is bittersweet and very realistic. The boy faces racism, sorrow, despondency, hatred and his own dark feelings and learns to overcome them all as he grows up. I like how none of the characters in the book have names besides the dog, Sounder. It makes it feel like the story is a legend, that who the story happened to doesn’t matter: it’s the fact that the events of the story happened at all that matters. The story feels real and mythical all at the same at time because the names were left one, but I think this ambiguity only makes the book better.

It is a great story for looking into human nature and seeing various aspects of it. The boy goes through many deep, serious emotions and has to deal with a lot of pain, suffering and injustice in his life, but there are also bright spots, like the love of his family and his chance to learn to read. I think middle-school and high school students would benefit from reading this book the most.

Reader reviewed by PeaceChik

This book is really sad, I mean reeally sad. Not in a cry kind of sad but a sad that makes you thankful that you have a good life.

So there's this boy(that's all they ever call him in the book BOY), and he and his family are sharecroppers and they are really poor.
His dad steals a ham from the owner and these white men come in and arrest him. The family dog who's name is Sounder tries to catch his owner by following the wagon he's in but the men shoot him and Sounder is left for dead.
Then the boy goes on a search for his father who had been sentenced to work on the "chain-gang".
He eventually finds this man who teaches him about stuff and eventually goes back home.
I would tell you the rest but then I'd give away the whole story.
It's a Sad ending and a sweet ending, although it may be more on the bitter side.
But it's a great book if you like reading about African American historical Fiction.
PEAce!

Reader reviewed by Laura

This is a book about a boy that gets a loyal coon dog wich he names sounder.Sounder is extremely loyal to his master, so when his master is taken away by the cops for stealing food to feed his family, Sounder tries to protect him. In the process, he nearly dies. Sounder helps his master's son live through the hard times ahead, but can he help the boy get his father back?This was an extremely well written book, and I definitely enjoyed it. However, the story was so tragically sad that left me feeling a bit depressed.

Reader reviewed by Jamie

This book really mad me cry I'm not sure why but I get very emotional when ever I read about poor people and how they have to steal food just to fead their family. anyways this is my review of the book.

Angry and humiliated when his father is jailed for stealing food for his family, a young black boy grows in courage and understanding by learning to read and with his relationship with his dog Sounder.

Reader reviewed by Martha

This book story tells everyone that the best for you isn't the best for other people. The boy faces his fears about his father and his dog and continues his life soon to see them again.

There is some sad parts but all together it is a good book!

Reader reviewed by Angela

I liked it,but it wasn't my favorite. The author wrote about his life when he was a kid. Some parts of the book where sad, because the boy in the story didn't alway understand what was happening, in his life. It was a good book for someone who like sad storys about the olden days. I think you should give this book a try.