Sounder

Module 4

Sounder by William Armstrong

Sounder is a story of a poor young African American boy and his struggles to help his family. His father was arrested for stealing a ham to feed his family. As the sheriff was taking the father away Sounder the family dog chased them and was shot by the deputy. Sounder is not around for months, he finally returns lame and cannot bark. The boy searches for his father. On his search he stumbles on a school house that has African American students who are having school.
The teacher offers him a place to stay and allow him to attend school. The young boy’s father returned after many years away partially paralyzed. The father dies and sounder dies shortly after he does.

My Impression

I enjoyed reading the book. I had the opportunity to see the movie “Sounder” first. The movie was made about 25 miles from my home town. I actually knew one of the little boys in the movie who had a couple of lines to say. When I read the book I knew what to expect and I was not disappointed with the writing. I recommend the book and the movie.

Bibliography

Sounder
Armstrong, William Howard, and James Barkley. Sounder. New York: Harper & Row, 1969. Print.

Reviews

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Sounder is no beauty. But as a coon dog, this loyal mongrel with his cavernous bark is unmatched. When the African American sharecropper who has raised Sounder from a pup is hauled off to jail for stealing a hog, his family must suffer their humiliation and crushing loss with no recourse. To make matters worse, in the fracas, Sounder is shot and disappears. The eventual return of a tattered and emaciated Sounder doesn't change the fact that the sharecropper's oldest son is forced to take on man's work to help support the family. His transition to adulthood is paved by the rocks and taunts hurled at him by convicts and guards as he searches for his father. But along this rough road he ultimately finds salvation as well.
William H. Armstrong's Newbery Award-winning novel quickly became a classic as a moving portrayal of resilience and hope in the face of profound human tragedy. Decades later, the bittersweet story still rings true, as strong-spirited individuals continue to battle the evil of prejudice. (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.


Review
"The power of the writing lies in its combination of subtlety and strength." -- H.

"The writing is simple, timeless and extraordinarily moving. An outstanding book." -- Commonweal