Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco

Title: Pink and Say

Author: Patricia Polacco

Illustrator: Patricia Polacco

Publisher: Philomel Books

Published Date: 1994

 

My first thoughts after reading this book…WOW!

This story is narrated by Sheldon “Say” Curtis, a white Union soldier from Ohio. Say was hurt during the Civil War and was laying in a field dying before Pinkus “Pink” Aylee crossed his path and took him back to his former master’s house. Pink’s mother Moe Moe Bay nursed Say back to health. Pink, Say and Moe Moe Bay became a family while they were living together. All was going well, Pink and Say were healing. Pink and Say knew they were dangerous for Moe Moe Bay to have around and were arranging plans to meet up with an Union brigade when a group of Confederate maurauders came busting through their land. Moe Moe Bay wanted to save the two boys, so she had them hide in the root cellar. The maurauders ransacked the shack and on their way out Pink and Say heard one gunshot. By the time they reached her, Moe Moe Bay was dead. Pink and Say then headed out to find the Union brigade and on their way were stopped by the Confederate army. They were both shipped off to Andersonville, an infamous camp for prisoners of war. Say was released from the camp a few months later and was sent home to recover. He eventually got married and lived a long life. Pink was said to have been hung a few hours after entering Andersonville. The story was told generation to generation until Polacco put the story down in this book.

This story was very powerful. It is classified as an Easy book for children, but it could be read by any age. Not only did Polacco write the story, but also did the illustrations for the book. Both together make a magical story of friendship and family in one of the hardest times to have an interracial relationship. I literally said “Wow” right after I red this. It is amazing. I hope more people take the time to read this book.

Happy Reading!

R