44 pages • 1 hour read
T.R. Simon, Victoria BondZora and Me
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2010A 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
Zora and Me by T.R. Simon and Victoria Bond follows best friends Zora Neale Hurston and Carrie Brown in the all-Black town of Eatonville, Florida, around the turn of the 20th century. After a young man named Sonny is killed by an alligator, Zora spins a tale suggesting a local man, Mr. Pendir, can transform into an alligator. As the girls investigate strange occurrences, they uncover harsh truths about their community and the reality of life under Jim Crow laws. The book discusses enslavement and anti-Black racism, including lynching, in the Jim Crow South.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Zora and Me by T.R. Simon and Victoria Bond blends historical fiction and mystery, capturing readers with rich storytelling and a vivid portrayal of young Zora Neale Hurston. Praised for its strong sense of place and cultural depth, the novel’s occasional slow pacing may deter some. Overall, it’s celebrated for its engaging narrative and historical insight.
Who Should Read Zora and Me?
Readers who enjoy Zora and Me by T.R. Simon and Victoria Bond are likely fans of historical fiction and coming-of-age stories. Similar to those who love To Kill a Mockingbird and Brown Girl Dreaming, they appreciate narratives that delve into themes of race, identity, and community through a youthful and vivid lens.
RecommendedReading Age
10-14yearsLexile Level
860LBook Details
Historical Fiction
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Identity: Race
Life/Time: Coming of Age
Self Discovery