I read The Education of Dixie Dupree by Donna Everhart. I found it on the table next to my reading chair when I returned to Vermont. I don't remember anyone loaning it to me and I don't remember buying it, but it was a brand new book.
Dixie Dupree is an 11 year old girl growing up in Alabama, 1969. She lives with her dad, mom, and older brother -- a family filled with secrets, lies, alcohol abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and a pretty good dose of mental illness. It is not the kind of book I happily choose to read because of the violence and dysfunction. However, Dixie is a study in resiliency.
Resiliency is a topic that teachers and former teachers (anybody that works with people really) are familiar with. You have to wonder where it comes from -- they way some kids can find the strength come out of a dire situation while others get broken.
There are good discussion/think about points included at the end of the book.
The Kindle edition is on sale today.
The Kindle edition is on sale today.
Interesting, b/c we've been in awe of just how much resilience our ancestors had to go on the Oregon Trail. Actually, my ancestors didn't go on the Oregon Trail. But they, like many others, left family and friends and everything else behind in Europe to make a new life amidst strangers in America. Does anyone have that kind of resilience anymore?
ReplyDeleteThat is a good question. Why some people manage to break free when others don't. Looks like a worthwhile read, I'm adding it to my list!
ReplyDeleteOOh, I see this in my family. Our mother died when I was 13 and my sister was 10. she tells everyone and that is her excuse when she does something bad. She says the phrase, "my mother died" so much that she said it to me once forgetting, that I too had a mom die. So I understand the question how one can lift themselves and one will wallow. Raised the exact same way. I could write this book. :-)
ReplyDeleteLots of dysfunctional kids come to school with a gun. Makes me wonder how we can prevent that from happening.
ReplyDeleteInteresting looking book. Also interesting that you have book gremlins leaving you gifts.
ReplyDeleteThe book is still available on Kindle for $2.99. I just bought it. When I get around to reading it, is another story.