Remember as You Pass Me by

by L. King Pérez

Book Overview

Silvy's twelfth birthday is coming up and she wants to invite Mabelee, who's African American, to the party. However, Silvy's mother and grandmother object. "Mabelee has her own friends," they tell her, and even though Silvy and Mabelee were best friends when they were little, that time has passed. Mabelee has new friends and no time for Silvy. They're busy painting the old school and raising money for schoolbooks, and Mabelee has started calling...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1571316779
• ISBN13: 9781571316776
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Milkweed Editions
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

A Time My Generation Has Never Known

As a girl who is around Silvy's age, "Remember As You Pass Me By" was especially insightful. This book beautifully recreates a time my generation has never known. Throughout the story, Silvy struggles to find her place; in her family, in the black/white community, and in the rapidly changing times. I think "finding ones place" is pretty much the definition of growing up. In this way, Silvy is a character easily related to by all kids and teens. I have heard the story of Brown vs. The Board of Education many times and studied it in school, but never in such a way. By peering into the life of a young girl, living in Texas, I've more fully come to understand how this huge milestone in history came to affect people (kids, adults, blacks, whites) around the world. By far the best part of this book, is the quirky sense of humor with which it is written. Although, extremely playful, L.King Perez, has managed to beautifully balance funny anecdotes with deep, sensitve themes, and here is the greatest achievement of this book.

A great book for the entire family.

Am I glad I read this book? Would I want my 12 year old niece to read this book? YES! From the first page, I was drawn into the book by the author's storytelling techniques. The use of dialogue not only tells the story, but as a descriptive tool it makes the book flow seamlessly. The story of Silvy, the main character, is set in a small Texas town during the early years of the civil rights movement. Do the times influence Silvy or does Silvy influence her times? Ms. Perez shows us that a book can be fun to read, while at the same time enlightening. As I get to know Silvy, I find I get to know myself just a little bit better. I like to read a good story. Remember Me As You Pass Me By is a good story. However, it's not often that we read a book that is not only engaging, but shares with us characters who give to us a better understanding of ourselves as well as our cultural history. Does this book leave you wanting more? Hopefully, there's a sequel somewhere out there in the works.

Awesome!

A remarkable book that should be required reading in all middle schools! This book offers a true to life picture of the south in days before and during Brown vs the Board of Education. The story of growing up and losing your best friend despite your best efforts is one that will resonate with all of us. The social pressures that were a part of this time make the story all the more sad.

Destined to be a CLASSIC!

"Remember As You Pass Me By" has themes which resonate far beyond East Texas and the turmoil between races provoked by "Brown vs. the Board of Education." This is a story of how relationships stressed in the face of change can transcend or fail, often at the same time. How faith can be restored amid confusion, and love endures for better or worse. How families shape and make us who we are and friendships often define us. This is all told with a straight, matter-of-fact sense of humor and narrative so real you can smell the baloney frying in the pan. The main character, Silvy, is the kind of friend I wish I had when growing up . She knows how to throw a knife, ride trees, harbor fugitives, and, most importantly, look hypocrisy square in the eye. The world she lives in and her interactions with it are detailed and authentic. She is an original with loads of heart and buckets of crackerjack wit. I will not forget "Remember As You Pass Me By." I am sure I will read it many times and recommend it both to children and adults. Do not let it pass YOU by!

Don't Pass This One By

This story gripped my childhood memories and held them captive to the very end. I was told this is a story for youngsters, yet I believe every adult will benefit from reading it. I've bought copies of REMEMBER AS YOU PASS ME BY for each of my four adult children to have a glimpse into my childhood in rural East Texas during the 1950's.