46 pages • 1 hour read
Susan CrandallWhistling Past the Graveyard
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2013A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
During the civil rights movement, nine-year-old Starla runs away from her strict grandmother in Mississippi to find her estranged mother in Nashville. Traveling with Eula, a Black woman, and a white baby, they face numerous challenges and grow through their encounters with racism, violence, and complex relationships, eventually learning the true nature of family and courage. This book includes racist language and violence, murder, child abuse, spousal abuse, animal abuse, sexual assault, and fatphobia.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall is well-regarded for its compelling narrative and strong character development, especially the protagonist, Starla. Critics praise its evocative depiction of 1960s Southern America and the authentic, heartfelt storytelling. However, some find the plot predictable and the pacing uneven. Overall, it's a poignant and engaging read with memorable moments.
Who Should Read Whistling Past the Graveyard?
Readers who relish heartwarming Southern stories with resilient heroines, much like in The Help by Kathryn Stockett or To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, will be captivated by Susan Crandall’s Whistling Past the Graveyard. Fans of coming-of-age tales with depth, historical settings, and strong character development will find this novel appealing.
RecommendedReading Age
14-18yearsBook Details
Historical Fiction
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
Southern Literature
Relationships: Family
Emotions/Behavior: courage
Identity: Race