Unstoppable Octobia May

by Sharon Flake

Overview

Bestselling and award-winning author, Sharon G. Flake, delivers a mystery set in the 1950s that eerily blends history, race, culture, and family.

Octobia May is girl filled with questions. Her heart condition makes her special - and, some folks would argue, gives this ten-year-old powers that make her a "wise soul." Thank goodness for Auntie, who convinces Octobia's parents to let her live in her boarding house that is filled with old folks. That's when trouble, and excitement, and wonder begin. Auntie is non-traditional. She's unmarried and has plans to purchase other boarding homes and hotels. At a time when children, and especially girls, are "seen, not heard," Auntie allows Octobia May the freedom and expression of an adult. When Octobia starts to question the folks in her world, an adventure and a mystery unfold that beg some troubling questions: Who is black and who is "passing" for white? What happens when a vibrant African American community must face its own racism?

And, perhaps most important: Do vampires really exist? In her most and probing novel yet, Sharon G. Flake takes us on a heart-pumping journey.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545609609
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	09/30/2014
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 1.50(h) x 9.50(d)

About the Author

Sharon G. Flake exploded onto the literary scene with her novel THE SKIN I'M IN, in 1998, and was named a Publishers Weekly Flying Start. Since then she has become a multiple Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award winner and many of her novels have received ALA Notable and Best Books for Young Adults citations from the American Library Association. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Please visit Sharon's website: www.sharongflake.com.

Editorial Reviews

07/28/2014
It’s 1953, and 10-year-old Octobia May believes that “freedom is as big as the moon for a colored gal who ain’t afraid of nothing.” She’s eager to follow in her Aunt Shuma’s footsteps and go after what she wants, even if others disapprove. But trying to prove that her aunt’s insomniac boarder, Mr. Davenport, is a vampire could be too risky, even for brave, quick-thinking Octobia May. After she thinks she sees Mr. Davenport murdering a woman on the street, she is targeted by the boarder, who is a wealthy banker, and an Irish policeman who thinks she’s up to no good. Three-time Coretta Scott King Honoree Flake (The Skin I’m In) offers a fast-paced mystery that traces Octobia May’s journey into dangerous territory at a time when women and African-Americans struggled to exercise their rights. Though some of Octobia May’s feats push plausibility and some secrets about Mr. Davenport’s past too easily discovered, Flake provides an eye-opening picture of post-WWII America. Octobia May is a determined sleuth who will win the admiration of Flake’s fans. Ages 8–12. Agent: Linda Pratt, Wernick & Pratt. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for PINNED

* "Brilliantly realized...An uplifting story that convincingly celebrates the power of perseverance."--KIRKUS REVIEWS, starred review

* "...constructing two authentic, distinct voices that expose the strengths and flaws of both teenagers..."--PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, starred review

* "Autumn and Adonis, in addition to the supporting characters--parents, teachers, and friends alike--have distinctive personalities and voices, enhancing the story's depth and complexity."--THE HORN BOOK, starred review

From the Publisher

09/01/2014
Gr 3–6—Octobia May has an untamed imagination. When she moves in with her Auntie Shuma, Octobia spends her days doing chores with her pretend servant friends, talking to the graves of the Before Girls at the nearby cemetery, and trying to unveil one of Auntie's boarders, Mr. Davenport, as the vampire he is. With the help of her friends, Jonah and Bessie, Octobia uncovers the dastardly deeds of Mr. Davenport, although the deeds have more to do with bank robbery and murder than with drinking blood. This story paints a realistic portrait of life for an African American girl in the 1950s, but the characterization and plot are marred by unclear writing. While the plot meanders, little information is offered about Octobia's (or any other character's) backstory, leaving readers ungrounded throughout the tale. Awkward quote attributions and murky action may have been meant to add to the mysterious nature of the plot, but fall short as one passage may take several examinations to comprehend. The way the adults, especially police officer O'Malley, in this story inexplicably flounder about with a cold-blooded murderer on the loose is unbelievable. Short chapters begin with a thick, black border, and a selected bibliography of relevant history ends the novel. While Octobia and other well-rounded characters were enjoyable and the overall plot was exciting, a less complicated writing style would have better highlighted the good this story offered.—Brittany Staszak, Glencoe Public Library, IL

School Library Journal

2014-07-29
With elegant prose and a spunky narrator, Flake's latest offers detailed snapshots of African-American life in 1953. "Death does not look like people think it should. Sometimes it wears summer suits and fine hats, silk gloves, and handmade shoes. Like him." The "him" Octobia May refers to is Mr. Davenport, a boarder in her aunt Shuma's rooming house that she believes is a vampire. With the help of her best friend, Jonah, Octobia May stalks the man, telling everyone of her suspicions. It is a unique perspective, depicting a character of color during the 1950s who is more enraptured of horror-movie prototypes than anything else. But Octobia May's passion begins to feel like compulsion, then obsession. When she insists that she sees what others cannot, she becomes an unreliable narrator—and one who sounds desperate. Then later, when the book shifts from vampires and talking to the dead to Octobia May's desire to become a detective, the plot feels crowded and loses its emotional resonance. Flake's incorporation of the social and political milestones of the era makes the story a veritable compendium. From Masons to McCarthy to Pall Malls, Camels and Lucky Strikes, the tale offers an intriguing insight into an important time in U.S. history. However, jarring transitions and a narrator who at times feels emotionally disconnected ultimately leave readers wanting. Immersive and witty, it illuminates as a historical piece yet falters when connecting the snapshots into a cohesive picture. (Historical fiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews