The Invention of Wings ( 359 Pages)

Sue Monk Kidd has such a wonderful knack for developing characters, and Hetty "Handful"  Grimke lives up to this reputation. Handful, is the name her mother gave her, but as was common in the South, pre-Civil War, owners named their slaves and gave these slaves their own last name. Handful and her mother were slaves owned by the Grimke family. Handful was "given" to Sarah on her 11th birthday, and so starts the book which is rich in character, setting, and family values, but also does not spare the reader of the injustices of slavery. The relationship between Sarah and Handful changes slowly over the years and as the book's chapters bounce between Sarah and Handful, the reader sees both characters thoughts and beliefs. I loved every minute of it. Although not written as a YA book, it is one which will be enjoyed by 8th graders on up.