Saving Savannah

November 4, 2019
Following Inventing Victoria, Bolden returns to the world of upper-class African-American society in historical Washington, D.C., where she explores the tumultuous changes of 1919—the fight for women’s suffrage, the New Negro movement, the growth of anarchism—through the eyes of 17-year-old Savannah Riddle, who has grown increasingly embarrassed, even repulsed, by her privileged life. Missing her brother, who has defied their parents’ expectations by becoming a photographer in Harlem, and irritated by her best friend’s frivolity, Samantha determines to “widen her world.” She befriends the cleaning woman’s daughter, Nella, and Nella’s cousin Lloyd, a socialist-leaning activist, and begins to volunteer at the all-black National Training School for Women and Girls. Her world does widen, and her perspective radicalizes, as she experiences how other people live, even as anarchist actions escalate, bringing danger to her community. While Savannah’s characterization lacks some nuance, the story is richly complex in its historical detail, and it builds to a revelatory climax. Enhanced by a comprehensive author’s note, this is a valuable portrayal of affluent African-American society and of post-WWI life. Ages 13–up.

Robin Eller's narration captures an upper-class African-American 17-year-old in 1919. Eller clearly delivers the many historical details in the third-person story of Savannah Riddle, who lives in Washington, DC. From the start, Eller voices Savannah's discontent with a life that is superficial and empty. She wants her life to have a purpose. Savannah's awareness of social inequity is raised through conversations with her family's cleaning woman, Nella, and her cousin, Lloyd, a socialist. Eller captures their emotions and West Indian accents, contrasting them with Savannah's privileged tones. They introduce Savannah to the all-black National Training School for Women and Girls. Eller portrays Savannah's growing disgust with her background and her fear when violent anarchism breaks out in Washington. S.W. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine