Rating: 
Summary: BEST BOOK EVER
Review: ... The Land By Mildred D. Taylor For the past month or so, my class has been reading The Land, by Mildred D. Taylor. I am not exaggerating when I say this is one of the greatest books ever! The Land is about an African American boy named Paul Edward Logan, who lives on his white father's plantation. Paul lives in the time of racism, slaves, and disrespect of black men and women. Even his very own father treats him differently than Paul's white brothers ' he cannot eat at the table when there are guests. Nor can he talk to white men the way they treat him. Paul begins to realize the truth of it all. However, he does not give up his dream ' to own his own land. He does not lose faith, even when his father denies him an opportunity to race a horse for cash. Denial only pushes him to accept the offer, but the owner of the horse refuses to pay him his winnings. Mitchell, his personal bodyguard, decides to take matters into his own hands and makes them running for their lives. The Land takes the readers on a journey of Paul's determination, hard work, and his daring and desperate decisions.
One reason I absolutely love this book is because of the plot! The way Paul and African Americans are treated helps me understand what it was like for people, like Paul during the 1800s. This book helps me realize how hard it was back then ' to treat others respectfully while they mistreat you, to try to be quiet when a white man was speaking! For example, in the book, Paul is not allowed to hit his brother when he has done something wrong because he is white. It makes me think about how unfair it was a century ago. People were treated unjust because of the color of their skin! I now appreciate my life much, much more, knowing how many lifestyles used to be.
In addition to this, I love the suspense! There is always something exciting happening ' from the horse race to the fights where Mitchell, Paul's bodyguard protects him. What makes this book so fascinating is the fact that there is always something incredible, simply amazing happening. This makes me want to read more! Not only is it entertaining, but also this book raises many intriguing questions. For example, what is going to happen to Paul, what dramatic decision will he make now, and how is Paul's father going to react to this chaos? As you can tell, many questions arise. This is one great aspect of The Land.
I recommend this book to readers who enjoy books based on history ' something that actually happened. The Land is based on true facts ' how people were considered, how lifestyles were for African Americans, and how there were many unjust, unfair laws. This book has a wonderful plot, which is not only entertaining, but also educational. You would have to read it yourself!
I can understand why this book won the Coretta Scott King Award!
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Summary: Mildred Taylor Does It Again
Review: A compelling prequel to Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Mildred Taylor' The Land brings us into the history of Cassie Logan's family as we follow the life and her grandfather, Paul-Edward Logan. The story opens with Paul-Edward as a boy on his father's land. As the son of a white landowner and a former slave in the southern state of Georgia, his biracial background complicates his life and emotions. His father had three sons with his wife, as well as Paul-Edward and his sister Cassie with his slave woman. During the first 12 years of his life, he was treated roughly as an equal in his father's house'as much as possible for someone black in the 1880's. Relationships with his half-brothers grew strong, especially with Robert who was the same age. They did everything together and were the best of friends. On the other side of his life, Paul-Edward had a clashing relationship with a black boy on father's land named Mitchell. In exchange for teaching Mitchell how to read, Paul-Edward finds an ending to his daily fights and a personal bodyguard. After his brother Robert chooses his white friends over his own brother, Paul-Edward finally realizes the complexity of growing up black in a segregated society. The final straw, however, comes when his father denies him an opportunity to race a horse for cash. As a fourteen-year-old, denial only pushes him to accept the offer, but the man refuses to pay him. Mitchell, his personal bodyguard, decides to take matters into his own hands and sets them running for their lives. In the remainder of the tale, their dependence on one another through lumber camps and land deals seals the friendship. Paul-Edward follows his dream to own land, with Mitchell helping him clear the way. They work together, eventually realizing the dream. With a strong historical setting and captivating turns of events, Taylor does it again. Instead of telling her readers about the struggles of a black individual following the Civil War, she shows us. Through the personable character of Paul-Edward, we feel his pain, struggles, and hopes. The hard truths of segregated society ring clear as he is cheated again and again. Life in the lumber camps helps us see the scarce employment opportunities for freed slaves, and the denial of a bank loan shows the dreadful cycle of poverty. Written in the common black dialect of that time in the South, the book brings another culture alive and respects the roots of Black English. Paul-Edward and Mitchell remain true to their roots and do their families proud in the end. They persevere and support each other through every hardship. Their friendship is a testimony to the strength and commitment of true friends. This book weaves a tale of a man's self-discovery, the prize from perseverance, a lesson in friendship, a positive romance, and the credibility of hope. Those things make it strong enough for use in a classroom. In addition, however, I recommend this book because of its historical value. Although fiction, Taylor brings key characteristics of the post-Civil War South to life. By showing us a full-color picture of the culture, we come away from the lesson filled in a way that would scarcely happen from a history textbook. She fills in the gaps, completing the picture.
Rating:
Summary: Another Wonderful Book by Mildred D. Taylor
Review: After reading "Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry" and the two following books of the trilogy, I fell in love with Mildred D. Taylor's writing. I searched the library for more books by her, and when I was successful, sat down and read the books immediately, becoming more enchanted with each one. When I heard that there was a prequel to the books, I couldn't wait to get a hold of it. On the way home from the library, I started reading and didn't stop until the last page.
Paul-Edward Logan has a white father and a half black, half indian mother. Growing up on his father's plantation, he never quite knows his place. Although his mother is always warning him against it, Paul-Edward's best friend is his father's other son, born from a white mother. As Paul-Edward grows he learns of betrayal and watches his best friend abandon him for a group of rough white boys. When Paul-Edward is fourteen, he runs away with his new best friend, Mitchell. A book about racism, friendship and family, Mildred D. Taylor has created another masterpiece to be enjoyed for many years.
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Summary: One of the best books ever!
Review: i cannot believe i attempted to read this horrible book. mildred, i mean seriously, who are you writing to? this book was a waste of a week. i had to force myself to read half the time! i got it as a present. i sure hope that someone nice gave me it because otherwise id have to...just no.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST Book
Review: I loved this book. I could hardly put it down. Paul-Edward is a half black, half white slave whose owner is his father. He gets tired of his homelife and runs away. He meets Mitchell, a childhood friend, and they travel together. They work at a logging house and then find land that they would love to live on. I won't tell you the rest, because it would RUIN it!! This book has a whole lot of flashback and foreshadowing. I loved this book and encourage you all to read it!!
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful book!
Review: I purchased this book for my 12 year old inter-racial daughter. She enjoyed the book immensely. She was a little taken back by the use of the "N" word but realized that this book talks about history and how things really were. The only reason I rated it 4 stars was because of the language used at times. I had the impression when I bought it that it was a child's book, although a bit difficult for young children. I would only warn parents to explain the language to younger children that would be interested in reading the book.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read!
Review: I recently read The Land because it looked very interesting. When I opened the cover, the book came alive with descriptive writing and jubilant text that jumped out at me, and I was immediately enveloped in the book. I read as much as I could and it seemed as if the cover to this book never closed until I read every single word in it. The Land is about a young black man named Paul fighting to survive in some of the worst times for black people. He's had many hardships and exciting events take place in his life. He's experienced deaths of loved ones and prejudice problems, but has kept going and has a very important goal that he is determined to achieve. He wants to have some very special land of his own like his father and raise his crop and his children on this land. Land was very difficult to buy for black people back then, but Paul was determined to buy it. You must finish the book to find out what happens in the end. I enjoyed this book greatly and highly recommend that you read this book and all of Mildred D. Taylor's other books. Mildred D. Taylor is a terrific author and she makes her books exciting and full of life. She keeps you on the edge of the seat the whole time you are reading. I don't recommend an age limit to this book, although it is very long, and skilled readers will find it just the right level of challenge. I hope you read this book and enjoy it as much as I did!
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Summary: A Thrilling Adventure of the 1800
Review: I think "The Land" by Mildred D. Taylor is awesome. When I started reading it I couldn't put it down. It keep me going and I'm thinking of just reading it again to get that thrilling experience. It is about a black boy who cares so much about land that he will pretty much do anything. I rate this book at the top. When I was reading the book I got my feelings involved: I think that everyone should read this book and join the adventure of life in the 1800's. I loved it and I think you will too.
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Summary: Spellbinding and Revealing!
Review: I'm a middle-aged white male grade school teacher who is a native of the Rocky Mountains. As an enthusiast of children's literature and of American history, I quite don't know where exactly to begin in sharing with you my deep appreciation for "The Land"; Taylor's continuing effort to document her family's rich history and legacy through stories passed down from ancestors of remarkable integrity and strength.
Here, for children (and for "learned" adults like me), Taylor provides an in-depth look at the culture and relationships of the family of a white landowner and his former African/Native American mistress as well as the children from his lawful, white wife. Here, for the reader, is an expose' of the culture of American mulato children and how the enduring, insidious vestiges of the mores of a society with slavery guide behavior and opportunity. Here, for the reader, is the South's affinity for horses, furniture making, and its desecretion of forest for turpentine. Here are the people of the South during Reconstruction living with the confinement of the rigid heritage of racial prejudice and ignorance--even the enlightened white landowner and passionate father knowing it is yet too soon to go against the grain. Instead, he prepares as best he can his white and black children for their separate worlds. Here, Cassie Logan's grandparents, against all odds, use their humanity, courage, and determination to eek out their American birthright. I read it in 3 nights--it is simply too fascinating--too engrossing--to put down. For years, I've been using "Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry" in literature circles. Students initially balk (they prefer fantasy) but they soon are ensnared by Taylor's family history and our shared American heritage; some of which we shake our heads in disbelief. Now, through "The Land", so much more is revealed. I cannot wait to share it with them!
Thank you, Mildred Taylor, for sharing your family's legacy in such a profound way. Your gift will forever impact our lives by promoting understanding and by buiding strong bonds in our diverse society. You have "done your ancestors and we as Americans proud!"
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Summary: A Must Read for all Mildred D. Taylor Fans
Review: Mildred Taylor has once again brought to life the Logan Family, one of the most revered families in Young Adult Literature. This prequel explores the life of Paul Edward Logan, the partiarch of the Logan family. All Taylor readers are acquainted with the importance of the land to the Logan family. This novel is a history lesson enumerating the many struggles that Grandpa Logan endured in order to acquire the cherished Logan land. If you enjoyed Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Let the Circle Be Unbroken and The Road to Memphis, you will just love The Land!
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