When the Nightingale Sings [Large Print]

by Joyce Carol Thomas

Book Overview

Abandoned in a swamp as a baby, Marigold is discovered and raised by a nasty woman, Ruby, and her three mean daughters. But when the beauty of her singing voice is revealed at the Great Gospel Convention, the mystery of Marigold's birth and true family is solved. A noteworthy African-American Cinderella story.--ALA Booklist.

• Format: Paperback
• Large Print: Yes
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0064405249
• ISBN13: 9780064405249
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.1" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

EVER HEARD OF A BOOK THAT HAS THE POWER TO MAKE YOU READ.

When the Nightingale Sings I bet most of you now Cinderella's story, but you don't know another story related to it. This book is about an African American who is adopted by a southerner when hr real mom hated her and left her in the bushes. Now she lives with a white family and two twins that hate her. She tries to be a singer but the family stops her from doing that. The rest is for you to find out. I liked this book because it teaches a great lesson. If you start reading this book it will be so exciting that you would not take it off your hands. This book is related to Cinderella because in that story the family also tries to stop her from going to the dance. By: Ahmad Saifan

When the Nightingale Sings

WHEN THE NIGHTINGALE SINGS By: Joyce Carol Thomas I rated this book four out of five stars. This book was really good, but it was really confusing. I liked this book because the main character, Marigold, follows her dreams. She is a fourteen-year-old girl living with a cruel, harsh woman. Cousin Ruby. Cousin Ruby tells Marigold not to follow her dreams, but she does it anyway. She writes and sings her songs. They come off the top of her head, and she writes them down in her own little notebook. Other characters also have their own little role going on, it's like they are acting "behind the scenes." All the characters are happy and they are also very active. They are all helping each other out in other people's times of needs. All the characters, especially Marigold is in her own little world when she is singing. Cousin Ruby is always making Marigold do her daughters' work, cooking, making clothes, and teaching them how to sing. This book is unlike any other I have read before. It is totally unique in it's own way. The book is different because Marigold follows her dreams, her guardian is telling her not to, and she doesn't listen. Usually, young children will follow their parents or guardians directions. Marigold chooses what is the best for her, and she goes all the way. Singing is really important to her, and she knows that she has got an excellent voice. She wants to sing, and when she learns that she can do it, that is what she is going to do, and she is going to follow her dream of singing.