A Chair for My Mother

January 1, 2010
PreS-Gr 3-This collection includes stories by Vera B. Williams about Rosa and her family"A Chair for My Mother" (1982), "Something Special for Me" (1983), "Music, Music for Everyone" (1984), and "A Chair for Always" (2009)plus "Cherries and Cherry Pits" (1986, all Greenwillow). In the first title, a young African-American girl tells of the sorrow of losing her home and belongings to a fire and the jar in which the family places all of their loose change to save for a lovely, soft armchair. In the first four tales, the chair is a character, symbolizing warmth, love, security, and family to the young narrator. In "A Chair for Always", Rosa expresses her attachment to the now aging chair when her mother and grandmother begin thinking it might be time to find a new one. Martha Plimpton perfectly captures the tenderness and joy of these stories. This winning collection celebrates family and the power of hope."Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT"

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