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Running and Dancing
Two African American girls grow into teenagers at the turn of the 20th century (1916-1917). The times are much different than they are today. The older girl's sister fled the United States to find fame and fortune in another country (like Josephine Baker). She left behind a daughter, and the two girls (one is the other’s niece) each experience different coming of age adventures, according to their temperaments. Bertine, eldest of the pair, is a runner, like her sister. But Alma is a different sort of girl – one who enjoys the dance of life right where she is. This book was written by Carol Fenner over the course of 20 years, but she didn't finish the final edits before she died. The manuscript presented here has been polished and received final edits by her niece, Claudia Alexander.
438 pages, Paperback
First published September 18, 2011
2 people want to read
About the author
Carol Fenner
24 books5 followersCarol Elizabeth Fenner (1929–2002) was an American children's writer.
Fenner's book Gorilla Gorilla won a Christopher Award and The Skates of Uncle Richard won honors from the Coretta Scott King Award. In addition, she was a runner-up for the Newbery Medal in 1996 for Yolonda's Genius. Just prior to her death, Yolonda's Genius was optioned by a major studio for possible production of a movie for television.
Fenner's book Gorilla Gorilla won a Christopher Award and The Skates of Uncle Richard won honors from the Coretta Scott King Award. In addition, she was a runner-up for the Newbery Medal in 1996 for Yolonda's Genius. Just prior to her death, Yolonda's Genius was optioned by a major studio for possible production of a movie for television.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 20, 2013
“Running and Dancing” is a posthumously published novel by Carol Fenner. Set in the late 1910s, this book is a coming-of-age story about two Black girls, Bertine and Alma, in rural Western Michigan who explore the vibrancy of life.
I was hooked on “Running and Dancing” from first chapter. Bertine and Alma’s initial adventure captured me in a way that kept me curious about where the story can go and how it will end. As the story progresses, the true beauty of this book comes through. Carol Fenner’s word choice is impeccable. She has a way with words that describes scenes, thoughts and characters with such clarity that you know exactly what’s going on, even if you haven’t experienced what’s going on in the story.
Alma and Bertine also have personal journeys. Bertine, in all of her feistiness and athleticism, is still a girl on the cusp of puberty and womanhood. As she proves her strength and endurance to her young male counterparts, she inwardly fights the inevitable. Even though Alma is more of a daughter to Bertine’s mother than Bertine ever cared to be, Alma curiosity yearned to know more about her own mother, who has Bertine’s sister. The closer she gets to the truth, the closer she gets to the truth that relationships are more important than relations.
“Running and Dancing” also has a rich supporting cast of characters. From the snide teacher who hates Alma’s intelligence to the white boy who later shares puppy love with Bertine to the next door neighbor who has a very strong presence in this book. The two most powerful people in the group of secondary characters is Big Bert, Bertine’s namesake and father, and Ceely, the matriarch of the Coffey family. “Grama”, as she is affectionately referred to by Alma, is silently strong and adds a motherly wisdom. Big Bert’s presence is relayed through Bertine’s memories of their time together before he passed, which happened before the time period of the book’s beginning. Altogether, these characters wrap Bertine’s and Alma’s stories in an opulent world that is very easy to immerse yourself into.
If you are looking for a poignant piece of literature, this is the “Running and Dancing” by Carol Fenner is the book for you. You will fall in love with Alma and Bertine the same way you fall in love with those cheery-eyed kid that walks up to you for no other reason than they still have the love of life within. If this was a movie, I’d give it two thumbs up.
Read the full book review for "Running and Dancing" here http://h1t.it/19TGpTb
I was hooked on “Running and Dancing” from first chapter. Bertine and Alma’s initial adventure captured me in a way that kept me curious about where the story can go and how it will end. As the story progresses, the true beauty of this book comes through. Carol Fenner’s word choice is impeccable. She has a way with words that describes scenes, thoughts and characters with such clarity that you know exactly what’s going on, even if you haven’t experienced what’s going on in the story.
Alma and Bertine also have personal journeys. Bertine, in all of her feistiness and athleticism, is still a girl on the cusp of puberty and womanhood. As she proves her strength and endurance to her young male counterparts, she inwardly fights the inevitable. Even though Alma is more of a daughter to Bertine’s mother than Bertine ever cared to be, Alma curiosity yearned to know more about her own mother, who has Bertine’s sister. The closer she gets to the truth, the closer she gets to the truth that relationships are more important than relations.
“Running and Dancing” also has a rich supporting cast of characters. From the snide teacher who hates Alma’s intelligence to the white boy who later shares puppy love with Bertine to the next door neighbor who has a very strong presence in this book. The two most powerful people in the group of secondary characters is Big Bert, Bertine’s namesake and father, and Ceely, the matriarch of the Coffey family. “Grama”, as she is affectionately referred to by Alma, is silently strong and adds a motherly wisdom. Big Bert’s presence is relayed through Bertine’s memories of their time together before he passed, which happened before the time period of the book’s beginning. Altogether, these characters wrap Bertine’s and Alma’s stories in an opulent world that is very easy to immerse yourself into.
If you are looking for a poignant piece of literature, this is the “Running and Dancing” by Carol Fenner is the book for you. You will fall in love with Alma and Bertine the same way you fall in love with those cheery-eyed kid that walks up to you for no other reason than they still have the love of life within. If this was a movie, I’d give it two thumbs up.
Read the full book review for "Running and Dancing" here http://h1t.it/19TGpTb
August 12, 2012
An amazing and lyrical book. Two girls, one the other one's aunt, pass from girls to teenagers in the tale that covers two years: 1917 & 1918. Both are missing a parent, the oldest one, her father, the youngest one, her mother (the oldest one's oldest sister). The two girls live with their grandmother. The oldest of the two girls is a 'runner' - someone who temperamentally runs from her problems. A tomboy, in the story, she literally is trying to 'run' away from her growing body, and still beat the boys. the younger one is a different personality - a 'dancer' - she is comfortable in familiar surroundings. Both girls have to learn to confront bullying. When the youngest one's mother returns for her, from France where she had run to get away from a hostile environment toward blacks in early 20th century M Ichigan, the youngest has a big decision to make!
This is a story of girl power, of an upwardly mobile family, of generations of running to survive.
This is a story of girl power, of an upwardly mobile family, of generations of running to survive.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews