The Red Rose Box, Brenda Woods
The Red Rose Box, Brenda Woods
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The Red Rose Box

Author: Brenda Woods

Narrator: Asmeret Ghebremichael

Unabridged: 3 hr 29 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/26/2019

Synopsis

On her tenth birthday, Leah receives a surprise gift from glamorous Aunt Olivia, Mama's only sister, who lives in Los Angeles.  It is a red rose box.  Not many people in 1958 Louisiana have seen such a beautiful traveling case, covered with red roses, filled with jewelry, silk bedclothes, expensive soaps...and train tickets to California.  Soon after, Leah and her sister, Ruth, find themselves in Hollywood, far away from cotton fields and Jim Crow laws.  To Leah, California feels like freedom.  But when disaster strikes back home, Leah and Ruth have to stay with Aunt Olivia permanently.  Will freedom ever feel like home?

About The Author

Brenda Woods (www.brendawoods.net) was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, grew up in southern California, and attended California State University, Northridge. Her award-winning books for young readers include The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond (a CCBC choice and a Kirkus Best Book), Coretta Scott King Honor winner The Red Rose Box, ALAN Pick Saint Louis Armstrong Beach, and VOYA Top Shelf Fiction selection Emako Blue. Her numerous awards and honors include the Judy Lopez Memorial Award, FOCAL award, Pen Center USA’s Literary Award finalist, IRA Children’s Choice Young Adult Fiction Award, and ALA Quick Pick. She lives in the Los Angeles area.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Darla on February 11, 2019

Leah Jane Hopper turns ten and gets a beautiful red rose box in the mail from her Aunt Olivia. There is a letter inside for her mother and tickets to go visit the aunt and her husband in California. Leah immediately sees the freedom available in California when contrasted with her home in Sulphur, L......more

Goodreads review by QNPoohBear on October 11, 2017

In 1958 Sulphur Springs, Louisiana Leah Jean Hooper dreams of being a teacher but everyone she knows thinks she's destined to be a cotton picker (the author uses the word "pickaninny"). When Leah's mysterious Aunt Olivia in the far off Los Angeles, California sends a red rose traveling box for Leah'......more

Goodreads review by Tricia on December 18, 2021

The Red Rose Box is a period piece from one of my favorite times to read about (African Americans in the 1940s, 50s and 60s). This is a story of family, forgiveness, love, loss, support, and hope. These characters feel like the people I grew up knowing. The writing is perfect for the 10-12 age range......more

Goodreads review by Sherry Dale on June 07, 2009

It was June 1953; Leah Hopper was turning 10.The Red Rose Box takes place in Sulphur, Louisiana during the Civil Rights Movement. Leah and Ruth Hopper,sisters, are caught between two worlds when tragedy strikes Sulphur, Louisiana. With the red rose box, filled with femininity, in hand the two colored......more

Goodreads review by Alice.t on May 07, 2011

This is such an amazing book. Out of the books I've read, this is decently in the top 2. It is a very emotional book, talking about racism and poverty. But I love it so much!......more

Quotes

"A timeless universal tale of young girl's road to maturity.  An impressive debut." -Kirkus Reviews

Awards

  • Coretta Scott King Honor
  • Judy Lopez Memorial Award
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