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Synopsis
By returning to the cotton fields, tobacco barns, & humble dwellings of her ancestral home in the rural South, this author learned firsthand what is missing from the history books between the pages on slavery & present-day African-American culture. It is the experience of ordinary people who, on second glance, have led truly extraordinary lives. She developed an appreciation for their words, wit, & wisdom & has made it her life's work to pass along their experiences. In this collection of original short stories, she pays homage to these ordinary folks through lyrical tributes, many of which have aired or will air on National Public Radio. Beginning late this year, her own program, Just Plain Folks: Wisdom from the Front Porch, will air weekly on NPR. Like her radio segments, the stories in Just Plain Folks are meant both to entertain & to educate. Each story concludes with an author's note that places it in its proper cultural context.
Is Just Plain Folks appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 13 and up.
This is a collection of cultural stories celebrating African-American heritage and wisdom from ordinary people in the rural South. The stories are educational and meant to preserve oral history, with minimal content concerns beyond historical racism and class struggles.
What to know going in
This book has no graphic violence, no sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include racism and class struggle.
Publisher ages reflect reading level; our rating reflects content maturity — they can differ.
Who'll love this
Adult readers interested in African-American history and cultural preservation will appreciate these lyrical tributes to everyday heroes.