Rating: 
Summary: Charming, touching and exceptional
Review: Brenna Clarke must have had some real experience with death. Only this would allow her to right such a truthfull, soul wrenching and heartfelt novel. The story about a young girl and her courage, perserverance and struggle to deal with the guilt and pain associated with passing is truly unique and extremly on-point. It took a very difficult and emotional subject (the death of a child) and in the end made it educational, positive and almost uplifting. It was also very interesting to learn more about life in Georgetown during this time (especially being from the DC Area). It was so ironic to learn that what is now the epitomy of hoity=toity yupiness in the DC metro area; originally regined as the lower-class (god forbid) black area. I admitt that since reading this I walked throught the streets of Gtown and up and down the Canal looking for the house of these girls and trying to see if I could spot the exact spot of the tragedy! I guess that says a lot for the author's descriptivness through-out the novel and the emotional bond that develops between reader and characters. I would most highly recommend this charming, quick and enjoyable read.
Rating: 
Summary: Snapshot of African-American life in 1920s Georgetown
Review: A picture of segregation, menial labor, and superstition in a "progressive" northern city--a city promising a better life than the Carolina tennant farms. Twelve-year-old Johnnie Mae is drawn to water--whether the sluggish Potomac or the crystal azure of the whites-only pool on Volta Place. Johnnie Mae is a natural-born swimmer: sleek and graceful, as powerful in her strokes as the water around her. But water also brings tragedy as the mighty Potomac lays claim to her young sister, Clara. Feeling responsible, Johnnie Mae struggles with life. It is unclear, however, whether this struggle is due to Clara's death or coming of age. Because this is a snapshot, we see the people in the picture, but we don't know much about them beyond what we see. The story lacks connectedness. The incident of Clara's drowning is simply an episode in each character's life. The feeling that Clara's death had an impact is lost--even on Johnnie Mae. Perhaps this style is meant to show that life goes on...it always does though in reality it is changed somehow. There was little feeling that a life in this story was changed.
Rating: 
Summary: It is the kind of book to keep you reading.
Review: I love the book it had interesting characters and wonderful stories about each one. I liked when the 2 girls decided to go for a night swim in a white only pool and escape from the policeman on patrol. The lil sister dying in the river was sad. Unique was how all the towns folk pulled together to get the family through their loss and helpe each other cope with the loss as well but carry on with their lives. This is true friendship without color,race, or money having to be part of it.
Rating: 
Summary: Poorly written with no story - waste of time
Review: I usually look forward to selections in the Oprah'sBook Club. Here is the first one I felt was terribly written with no story. The beginning of the book starts to sound interesting apart from the authors attempt to use big words conversationally wchich really sets off a bad tone. After the first chapter you wait and wait for a storyline with no reprieve, a waste of money and time.
Rating:
Summary: It is hard to believe this is a first novel...
Review: The richness of the characters, and the compelling stories evolving around Johnnie Mae, as she grows up in a sweltering black neighborhood. Just a few blocks away, in feeling the injustice as the "white" kids swim in a pool "for whites only" and after a terrible tragedy, Johnnie Mae comes into her own, and her determination changes her life. This story is not JUST ABOUT racism; it's what we think of ourselves, regardless of our place in society, and what we do, to be the best we can be. I loved this book. I hope to read more of Breena Clarke. I hope someday, I can "make-a-positive difference" in a childs life.
Rating:
Summary: true rating would be 3.5 stars
Review: This book does not quite deserve 4 stars and yet it's not a 3 star book either. Like the other reviewer I found it to be an interesting slice of African -American history. I found the characters to be believable and sympathetic. However, I also found that the story really didn't have much of a plot. It doesn't really lead anywhere and yet it does hold the interest of the reader. If this is your first Oprah book, don't give up. Her other choices such as Here on Earth, Back Roads, & A Map of the World are excellent.
Rating:
Summary: Good Characters
Review: I enjoyed this book. The author has a voice that is quite descriptive without being long-winded. What I found enthralling, was her manner of interplay and interaction among her characters. She captures the subtle nuance of complex human emotion & motive without using lengthy conversation among the characters. Rather, the author reveals her characters' minds and hearts and shows us into their lives, often through brief description of non-verbal communication or a discussion of the characters' thoughts. I found this device compelling. In one description of Alice Bynum's mixed emotions about her souring maid job for financially overextended white folks, the author reveals a mixture of emotions where the negative emotions of peevishness dominate the ideal positives of human compassion and empathy. I felt the character's chagrin at this shortfall of attaining the ideal mind set. The author painted complex emotional pictures in my mind without using extensive descriptive passages. In a few sentences, Breena Clarke can summarize a character's complex emotions. Johhnie Mae, the oldest daughter of Alice and Willie Bynum, is confused as she enters puberty at the same time her mother is expecting a new baby. The author summarizes Johnnie Mae's heart when Johnnie Mae wonders how the new baby will effect the balance of power in her family: " Again there was a shift, a realignment of the tectonic plates of the family ground. The earth beneath them was shifting and they would be moved by it........" All in all, a very interesting read. The author has a powerful voice.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting...AT FIRST
Review: It WAS interesting...for the first 10 pages or so..then I dont know what happened...there was a plot at first, Clara's death. After that it died off, and was jerky.
Rating:
Summary: Evocative presentation of loss and its effect of the family
Review: As a native Washingtonian, I thought that the author really captured the flavor of the city. The era described in the book was before my time but it is presented with the realism that has been described to me. The real dangers of the Potomac river were an emotional read for me because I had a friend who lost a son to its ravages. The author truly capture the flavor of Georgetown and the race relations that were real in the era presented. The use of language and plotting made this an easy read yet the subject tackled were truly thought-provoking.
Rating:
Summary: What a downer--totally depressing
Review: one of the saddest, dreariest books I've ever read. A chore to get through.
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