Book Summary:
This is the story of two young boys fighting in the American Civil War. They are both teenagers seperated from the Union troops when they find each other. Though they are from dramatically different upbringings, they band together and become fast friends (really family). Due to an injury they end up at Pink's home where his mom can tend to Say's leg wound. During their stay tragedy strikes and not only is Pink's mom killed by marauders, but the two young soldiers are taken captive and seperated. In the end, Say is freed from the Confederate camp to live to tell the story of brave Pink who was not so lucky.
APA Reference of Book:
Polacco, P. (1994). Pink and Say. New York, NY: Philomel Books.
Impressions:
My major impression of this book is that it could be incredibly impactful to older students. The story is not only captivating and telling of the times, but also is true based on retellings through generations. The illustrations are detailed and provide students with the tone and feel of the Civil War era. They also get a feel for what it was like for not only soldiers, but for African American citizens at the time. The lack of clean lines allows the reader to already connect with the messiness of the surroundings and story.
The writing style is most certainly for older readers. I can't imagine a younger reader understanding the terminology used or the complexities of the events that take place of the story. Emotion plays an enormous part in building both the characters and the plot. The reader is attached to the characters from the moment they meet them and this is only furthered as the plot gets trickier. In the moment when the two boys are seperated the reader is left to wonder what is to come, which is an incredible moment in the story. The idea that this story is told by someone in the family of Say only adds to the connection the reader gains through the text.
This text is incredibly important for libraries to acquire, especially those where the Civil War is a part of their curriculum.
Professional Review:
Ages 5-9. Hands and gestures have always been important in Polacco's work. Here they are at the center of a picture book based on a true incident in the author's own family history. It's a story of interracial friendship during the Civil War between two 15-year-old Union soldiers. Say, who is white and poor, tells how he is rescued by Pinkus (Pink), who carries the wounded Say back to the Georgia home where Pink's black family were slaves. In a kind of idyllic interlude, Pink and his mother nurse Say back to health, and Pink teaches his friend to read; but before they can leave, marauders kill Pink's mother and drag the boys to Andersonville prison. Pink is hanged, but Say survives to tell the story and pass it on across generations. The figure of Pink's mother borders on the sentimental, but the boys' relationship is beautifully drawn. Throughout the story there are heartbreaking images of people torn from a loving embrace. Pictures on the title and copyright pages show the parallel partings as each boy leaves his family to go to war. At the end, when the friends are wrenched apart in prison, the widening space between their outstretched hands expresses all the sorrow of the war. Then, in a powerful double-page spread, they are able to clasp hands for a moment, and their union is like a rope. Say once shook Lincoln's hand, just as Say held Pink's hand, and Say tells his children, who tell theirs, that they have touched the hand that touched the hand . . .
Reference:
Book review of Pink and Say, by P. Polacco. (1994). Booklist, 91(1). Retrieved from www.titlewave.com
Library Uses:
This text could be used as a part of a historical fiction display in the library. History and English teachers could encourage students to select texts from this genre for their outside reading for the month/six weeks/unit.
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