Bone by Bone by Bone

By Tony Johnston

Book Overview

FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN WHITE AND BLACK in 1950s Tennessee. Tony Johnston draws on her own childhood memories to limn a portrait of a sensitive and compassionate boy fighting for a friendship his father forbids. David's daddy is determined that his son will grow up to be a doctor like himself. David studies the human bones, and secretly teaches them in turn to his black friend, Malcolm. In a rage, Dr. Church forbids Malcolm to ever enter their home--and threatens to kill him if he does. David tries to change his daddy's mind. but when Malcolm crosses the line, Dr. Church grabs his shotgun.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 159643113X
• ISBN13: 9781596431133
• Release Date: August 2007
• Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 12 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 7 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Heartbreaking but needs to be read

This book tells the story of David, a white boy, and Malcolm, a black boy, and their forbiddent friendship down South in the 1940s. David doesn't understand why his father won't let him be friends with Malcolm. David's father threatens to shoot Malcolm if he ever enters their house. Trying to understand the hatred is changing David. This is a good, quick read of historical fiction.

For nephew

Boys don't read enough -- so I always buy books for my 2 nephews, and they loved this one as much as any other (meaning they actually read and enjoyed it).

Difficult to read but essential

This is a beautifully written, heartbreaking book. David Church is nine years old in 1951 and living with his father, grandmother and great-grandmother in a small Tennessee town. In many ways David lives an idyllic life filled with long, lazy days exploring the ponds and caves near his town. At his birth David's father hung a complete human skeleton by his crib. David learns the names of all the bones and intends, as his father wishes, to become a doctor. There is a very dark side in David's life; his father is extremely racist and has forbidden any "niggers" from ever entering their house. He has, in fact, said he will shot any one who dares to break this rule. David's best friend, Malcolm, is African-American; David and Malcolm are blood brothers, as inseparable as "green is from grass." Tony Johnston perfectly captures David's anguish and David's love for his family, especially his father. David sees with unusual clarity the extreme contradictions in his father: on one hand he is tender with his patients (all white) and takes great care of his own very elderly grandmother. He is gregarious, well-liked and a "pillar" of the community. At times he shows unusual sensitivity to David and other times he is cruel and malicious. In the end David protects himself the only way he knows how. This book contains disturbing language and images. It is essential to read Tony Johnston's note at the start of the story. She purposely includes this language because "(it) is my father's language and reflects a way of thinking that has troubled me my whole life." This may be a hard sell but it is a treasure. Youth Librarian