A young deaf black boy in Pottstown Pennsylvania in the 1920's and 30's is hidden from the authorities who want to put him in an institution as feeble-minded. The downtrodden community of Chicken Hill, made up of African Americans, Jews and immigrants, band together to keep him safe.
I've done research in Pennsylvania for genealogy in the area north of Pottstown, not knowing the setting of this book and was intrigued when I recognized the references to places in Pennsylvania. I checked it out because it had received the Kirkus prize, a book award in 2023. It's based on the true makeup of the town at that time though the characters are fiction.
The author shows how disconnected and yet supportive a community can be, despite their differences. He reveals the misunderstandings and biases based on race and culture with gentle humor and heartbreaking consequences.
I got bogged down in parts with the detailed descriptions used to illustrate the different perspectives of the townspeople and their living situations. I sometimes lost track of the myriad of characters, where they had come from, and how they related to one another. After finishing it and stepping back, the broad arch of the story was clearer. A good story that should be read slowly.
Published: 2023 Read: January 2025 Genre: Fiction
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