You'll never think about sugar the same again after you read Sugar's story. Jewell Parker Rhodes is becoming one of my new favorite authors for tween fiction! Wonderfully researched, and with a spunky heroine named Sugar, this book is a winner.

Set on a Louisiana plantation from 1870-1871, Sugar is narrated by its title character, a ten-year-old Black girl whose father was sold years ago, and whose mother died two years ago. Mister and Missus Beale help take care of her, but Sugar misses her mama and wishes to leave River Road and go North - only, no one will take her. Then, she learns from the plantation owner's son, Billy Wills, that "Chinamen" are coming. (During the Reconstruction era, many African Americans moved North, so there were not enough workers in the South.) The Black inhabitants of River Road - mostly those too old to travel North - are suspicious of the newcomers, believing they'll put them out of work, but Sugar is curious to get to know them, and becomes the bridge between the two groups. She's a bridge to Billy, too, who wants to be friends even though his mother doesn't approve (her stance softens after Sugar helps Billy through an illness). Mister Wills is no saint, but he believes that times change - unlike his overseer Tom.

Sugar's irrepressible nature, her curiosity, hunger for stories, and sorrow for her mother make her a marvelous character, and there are many stories within the story (Br'er Rabbit and Hyena, Chinese New Year animals).

See also: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin, Stella by Starlight by Sharon Draper

Quotes

"Being comfortable isn't everything," Ma would say. "Life's hard. But still you've got to find joy where you can." (39)

"Nobody asked me if I wanted this kind of free." (59)

"Secrets are too much like lies." (Sugar to Billy, 78)

It's exciting meeting new people, making new friends. (129)

"Waves of the past help future," says Master Liu. "Like children. Each generation better than last."
"That's what my father taught me," says Mister Beale, shoulders back. "Each life builds upon the past." (138)

"I'm a different lucky." (Sugar to Billy, 149)

"Wise men don't fight unequal battle. You lose before you have chance to win." (Beau, 221)

I'm tired of working just to be all right. (259) ( )

Ten-year-old Sugar lives on the River Road sugar plantation along the banks of the Mississippi. Slavery is over, but laboring in the fields all day doesn't make her feel very free. Thankfully, Sugar has a knack for finding her own fun, especially when she joins forces with forbidden friend Billy, the white plantation owner's son.

Sugar has always yearned to learn more about the world, and she sees her chance when Chinese workers are brought in to help harvest the cane. The older River Road folks feel threatened, but Sugar is fascinated. As she befriends young Beau and elder Master Liu, they introduce her to the traditions of their culture, and she, in turn, shares the ways of plantation life. Sugar soon realizes that she must be the one to bridge the cultural gap and bring the community together. Here is a story of unlikely friendships and how they can change our lives forever.

Rhodes’ book elegantly chronicles the hope of one 10-year-old girl seeking a bigger world in post–Civil War America.

When Chinese laborers arrive, Sugar finally believes in a world beyond River Road Plantation. In 1870, five years after the Emancipation Proclamation, many former slaves remain on their plantations—only now working for a bleak slave wage. Sugar was born into slavery on a sugar plantation and still lives there, feeling constricted and anything but free. To the complicated relationship she enjoys with the plantation owner’s son, Billy, is added another, with newly arrived “Chinamen” Bo/Beau and Master Liu. Most Americans are aware of the brutality of slavery, but few stop to consider that the abolition of slavery created a new turmoil for former slaves. How would they make a living? Rhodes exposes the reality of post–Civil War economics, when freed slaves vacated plantations, leaving former slave masters with a need for labor. In doing so, she illuminates a little-known aspect of the Reconstruction Era, when Chinese immigrants were encouraged to come to America and work alongside ex-slaves. Her prose shines, reading with a spare lyricism that flows naturally. All Sugar’s hurt, longing, pain and triumph shine through.

A magical story of hope from Coretta Scott King Honor winner Rhodes.

An interesting story, set in reconstruction in a sugar plantation in Louisiana. Short chapters, interspersed with woodcuts, and the first book I've ever seen that talks about the Chinese workers who were brought in to cut cane after slavery was abolished. Sugar is a child without a family, cared for by the other freed slaves who staff the plantation. She's a strong character, and she refuses to be bound into a place -- she wants to see the world, she wants to make friends with the owner's son Billy and the new Chinese workers, she wants to find a path that doesn't harm her caretakers, the Beales. ( )

When Chinese workers arrive on a Louisiana sugarcane plantation after slavery has ended, 10-year-old Sugar befriends the newcomers and has a chance to learn about the world beyond the cane fields and to serve as a bridge between two communities.

children's historical fiction (sugar plantation in years following Emancipation/civil war; importation of Chinese labor to replace slaves and racial relations among the three groups). [maybe 3rd-5th grades]

Characters were likeable but felt flat--Sugar felt like she'd been overly simplified (she's 10, but her thinking process was more like a 6-year-old's). I only read so far as page 36, so it's possible that the author did such a good job of handling the race issues as to earn more stars, but I am certainly not that impressed with the beginning. I did enjoy the perspective offered during description of the sugarcane harvest--all those sharp, vicious little leaves on the cane plants, etc.

In light of the new Common Core shifts, I would have liked to see richer language (more vocabulary) and a more sophisticated voice for Sugar--I know 10 is still in many ways young, but I think the target audience can certainly enjoy (and should be exposed to) more complex language than this 'everyday' kind of dialogue. ( )

This is another from my son's Build Your Library booklist. It's a cute enough book (I was going to say "sweet"), but a little lacking in subtlety. The characters are largely indistinct, and there are at least two historically/factually questionable points I noticed (one relating to the timing of the end of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, the other to the sound a bald eagle makes). The age of the main character is a little unclear, as well. Early on, she mentions being alive for 15 years, but later says she's 10, which makes more sense based on how she acts. The author has good points to make, they just aren't made as artfully as they could have been, which is pretty common for middle-grade novels, in my experience. ( )

Sugar is a story of a young girl whose essential quality was a spirit of inquiry. Her youthful exploration was viewed as naiveté and was frowned upon by those she considered family as they went against cultural and societal norms of that era.
I observed that Sugar was a bridge in that regard. Through her persistence and unpretentious nature she brought cultures together, broke societal expectations and found freedom. This story was refreshing and encouraging as it reminded me of the necessity of a child's perspective. ( )

Sugar was a curious little girl who still lived and worked on a plantation after slavery was abolished. She didn’t see the world completely as the Beales or the plantation owner. She was open to getting to know people that didn’t look like her or share the same culture or beliefs. Sugar made a new friend named Billy and got African American and Chinese to become more than people working together in the fields collecting sugar cane. Bonds were created and friends were made because of a open minded 10 year old girl. ( )

Sugar is a 10 year old working on a sugar plantation in 1870s Louisiana. Because of her age and positionality in the United States, Sugar has spent equal amounts (5 years each) of her life as a slave and as a sharecropper. Shedding fresh light on the realities of Black sharecroppers at the very cusp of the end of legalized slavery, SUGAR is unexpectedly lively and welcomes readers of all ages — but I feel it is especially appropriate for late elementary readers. When Chinese workers are hired by the white plantation owner, Mister Wills, the Black sharecroppers are fearful they will lose their (severely underpaid) livelihoods. Sugar, however, is characteristically spunky, and her warm, genuine spirit that mustered the courage to befriend the plantation owner's son, Billy, pushes her to bridge the divide between the Black and Chinese workers. Written with humor, age-accessible lamentations about life and racism, and honesty. Shows interracial and intergenerational friendships in a realistic way, with plenty of well-written arguments and storytelling scenes. I felt most moved by the way solidarity slowly grew between the Black and Chinese workers, much in part to Sugar’s bravery. ( )

This charming work of fiction for tweens tells a story of post-slavery South Louisiana sugar plantations and the Westward movement of immigrants, as well as the migration of freed slaves to the Northern states of America. A young girl challenges the fears that hold her elders back from new ideas in a changing world. Friendships and bonds are built between characters young and old through the sharing of culture- foodways, holidays and work songs, and the disparate people from different corners of the world find more commonality than divergence, illuminating the unity of humankind. ( )

Sugar is a determined young girl who was born into slavery on a sugar plantation. Her father was sold as a slave, she was hopeful that he would someday return to be with her and her mother. When Sugar's mom passed away, she was left in the care of Mr. and Mrs. Beale. Years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Sugar still feels like a slave. She works long hours on the plantation for little pay. She also feels lonely, most of her friends have packed up and moved to the North with their families. Sugar still remains adventurous and spunky as she is determined to find a better life. ( )

Sugar is a 10-year-old African American girl who lives and works on a sugar plantation along the Mississippi River in the 1870s. Although she is "free", she has very little true freedom. She is not allowed to associate with the plantation owner's son, Billy. Although life on the plantation is hard for Sugar, she still manages to enjoy being a child in her free time, climbing trees and using her imagination to make her world a little more exciting. Because finding willing workers is now difficult, Mr. Wills, the plantation owner, brings men in from China to help work the fields. Through her willingness to learn about the world and her loving, inclusive spirit, she ends up becoming the driving force in breaking down the barriers between the two culture groups.
I admire Sugar's character because she never gives up hope of a better life. Sugar is a resilient, spunky, intelligent, and caring individual. As a reader, I found it easy to envision all of the elements in Sugar's world because of all of the descriptive text. This story is a great tool to teach children not to judge others by their outward appearances, and that everyone is worthy of friendship and love. I truly enjoyed this book. ( )

Just like any other 10 year old, Sugar wants to explore the world around her and go on adventures with her companions. Unfortunately, she lives in a time where people of different races are treated unfairly. Sugar, however, never lets the light in her fade as she dreams of places outside of her small world on River Road Plantation (as a poorly paid employee). This beautiful story told in the first person perspective of Sugar displays how love and determination is contagious. Sugar also indirectly teaches that judging how to treat another person has nothing to do with the color of their skin or cultural background. ( )

Sugar is such a magical book that pulls you in no matter what age, race, background you may come from. This book evokes emotion from so many standpoints and I was truly inspired by the friendship of Sugar and Billie. Sugar is about a special young lady who wants more. She is born into a family of slaves but recently emancipation has occurred. Sugar's mother dies with the second chapter of the book and sugar is raised by Mister Beale and his wife. She is only ten years old but she is wise beyond her years in the adventure and bravery that she seeks. Everyone is Sugars world is moving North and she has mixed feelings about it. She is loosing a lot of friends that she is used to seeing on the plantation. She makes friends with Bille the plantation owner's son and they go on wild adventures and really form an incredible friendship despite their differences being from completely different worlds. I truly loved this book I couldn't put it down. ( )

At a time when life was hard and children were forced to grow up much too soon, Sugar just wants to be a kid. She is a young girl living on River Road Plantation with the only people she calls family. Post Civil War, Sugar and her neighbors are free, but things are complicated. It is not easy for Sugar to understand why some people around her behave the way they do. Sugar is full of questions and ideas, and is not afraid to share them with anyone who will listen. Many different characters contribute to the richness of this story, emphasizing the power and importance of true friendship. ( )

Sugar was an adventurous and somewhat defiant little 10 year old girl. This story took place when reconstruction and slavery had come to an end. Sugar didn’t see color and differences. Sugar made friends with the Masters Son and the Chinese when they came to the plantation even though she was told not to cross racial lines. Sugar was cared for by an older black couple, her father was sold into slavery, and her mother passed away. This relationships that Sugar formed created an environment of respect for all people on the plantation. The masters son, worked along side the blacks and Chinese which caused the mother to pay more attention to the workers working conditions. The workers now have breaks and snacks. The old school thinking of the head of the plantation caused him to lose his job, he retaliated by burning down the years sugar crop. This caused the plantation to be put up for sale and sold. After many people left the plantation to head north, Sugar and her caretakers went North as well. I would incorporate this book into my class if we were talking about Louisiana history, racism, and as a model for how people should treat each other. ( )

Sugar is a story about young Sugar that works on sugarcane field. Sugar was a very adventurous girl that would many times get herself into trouble. She was no longer a slave but she still couldn't consider herself "free" since she lived in the plantation and worked most of the times. She wanted to learn about different parts of the world and that's when she became friends with the Chinese men, Beau and Master Liu. Even though Sugar was always looked at as a rebellious child, She unites two different cultures together where she is finally really able to consider herself free.
This book kept you wondering what would happen next. I was able to create an image in my mind of everything that was occurring due to all the details that were provided. ( )

Jewell Parker Rhodes, thank you for this book!! I think it is as relevant today as it was in the post-emancipation life Sugar lived. Sugar, 10 year old narrator, sees the world with such innocence yet wisdom. Her innocence often gets her in trouble with the elder cane workers- Mr. and Ms. Beale and plantation owner, Mr. Wills. But her wisdom is what unifies all members of the plantation regardless of color. She thoroughly enjoys and learns from the African tales Mr. Beale shares, but it is Sugar and the other children in this story that teach the biggest lesson. Sugar and Billy Wills spark a "star crossed lovers" type of friendship, that it is impossible to break their bond. Through their refusal to conform to the rules of color and with the help of Chinese worker Beau, River Road Plantations transforms from a land of division to a field of unity, freedom, and appreciation. Sugar, Billy, and Beau challenge the elders (and readers) to think "Just because it's the way it's has always been, doesn't mean it is the way it SHOULD be." ( )

Sugar is a wonderful girl who unfortunately was born into slavery. She is smart, persistent, determined and open minded. Sugar didn't understand why people who were different had to stick with their "own kind." She believed that if you like someone for who they are you should have the ability to be friends. Unfortunately, society in 1870s Louisiana was not accepting of her ideology. Sugar managed to befriend Billy the plantation owner's son, and along the way she was able to unite her community and the Chinese community who were also brought to River Road Plantation as "free" Slaves. This story enlightened me that there were other communities such as the Asians who were also affected by slavery. Sugar did not realize how strong she really was, and in the end she embraced her story, her life, her name. ( )

the book takes place in Mississippi, and its about a young African american girl. She makes friends with the plantations owner's son billy even though she wasn't allowed to be friends with him. Sugar had a fascination with knowing more about the world and that is when she made friends with the new Chinese workers and they begin to teach her more about their traditions and culture. In return she teaches them about plantation life and then she feels as if she has to be the one that bridges the cultural gaps between then groups. ( )

The first novel we read in class. I heard it as an audiobook. From the first few paragraphs I was captivated and completely drown in. What a well-written novel! Sugar is a little girl who was a freed slave on a sugar plantation. She becomes orphaned due to her mother's death. After visiting Whitney plantation, I know that sugar plantations were the deadliest plantations to work on, no one survived more than 10 years, no matter how older slaves were when they got there. So now this novel is making a lot of sense to me. I see this story as one about a slowly brewing change toward social justice. Sugar's childhood best friend Billy who was the master's son, gradually dissembles the deeply rooted in the south attitudes toward slavery and the "freed" slaves. Billy works very hard with the other workers at the plantation, and along with Sugar, befriends Chinese immegrant workers. Billy has come far ahead from his father because he got to know Sugar who's been by his side through the thick and thin. It is an uplifting story of hope despite the exposed truth about Reconstruction period. ( )

Although this wasn't my favorite novel we have read this semester, I enjoyed this book. I think it was a good idea to have Sugar narrate it because it shows us readers her perspective as a child during this time. I also liked how Rhodes incorporates the differences in cultures. But even through the differences between the free slaves and the Asian culture that came in, they are both equal and have the same rights. I think this is the major theme of this story. This book taught me a lot. Growing up in southern Louisiana and have visited multiple plantations, this book kind of placed me in the shoes and made me feel like I was there. I think this book was very well written. After watching the interview with Jewell Parker Rhodes, I want to read more of her work. Just her personality and dedication to her writing is amazing. ( )

I did not like this book. It is basically just about a little girl trying to bring two cultures together. It was boring to me and I was not at all interested. This book took me forever to read because I didn't want to finish it. It seemed like the typical type of book about slavery. It didn't really have its own twist on it. ( )