reviews
Feb 09, 2010
Sherry
rated it: 
"When I Crossed No-Bob", by Margaret McMullan, is an extremely compelling read, direct and honest, historical and geographically significant. Set in Raleigh, Mississippi in 1875, it weaves together stories of many people: sympathetic white Anglos; proud Choctow Indians; poor, miscreant white folk involved in the KKK, colored folk finding their way post-emancipation. The protagonist is a poor, uneducated 12 year-old girl, Abby O'Donnell, abandoned by her parents after growing up in No
More...
6 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Jan 05, 2010
trishtrash
rated it: 
12 year old Addy is the youngest member of the locally deplored and infamous O’Donnell clan, a matter for both pride and shame. When she is finally abandoned by her mother, in the wake of her father’s leaving, Addy is taken in by the local schoolteacher. She struggles with feelings of loss and confusion at her torn loyalties, as the KKK not only gains a foothold in the area, but proves to have an uncomfortable tie to Addy’s own home life. McMullan allows Addy to narrate events and feelings in
More...
Jul 06, 2009
Georgene
rated it: 
This book is about Addy O'Donnell, a young girl who lives in Mississippi in 1875, during the Reconstruction after the Civil War. Addy's father has gone to Texas and her mother abandons her to go after him. Addy is taken in by Mr. Frank and Miss Irene, two newlyweds. Although Addy is an O'Donnell and they bring nothing but trouble, she tries to do good and help out. She is happy living with Mr. Frank and Miss Irene, until she witnesses a horrible event and then her father comes back to claim
More...
Dec 19, 2009
Judi
rated it:
This book is set in the South just after the Civil War, when everyone is poor and struggling. Addy's family is poor and rough, and she's been raised by parents who are not nice people. After her mother abandons her, Addy sees that there are good people who are trying to do the right thing in her town, and has the chance to have a better life--but only by turning her back on everything she knows. This story is remarkably well-written, but has lots of difficult situations in it. It would be a good
More...
Jan 05, 2008
Amy
rated it:
This book is beautifully written but it is a hard one to read because of the experiences that the main character goes through. Addy is from the O'Donnell family, a huge rowdy violent family that is known for getting in trouble. Her father has run away to Texas and one day her mother leaves her as well. She ends up living with a teacher Mr. Frank and his new wife. I don't think the book says what year this takes place in but it occurs after the Civil War with the Ku Klux Klan starts to appear. Ad
More...
Oct 05, 2011
Jamie
rated it:
This book was really good! The time was back in about 1875 and the book described that time period well.I felt sorry for 12 year old Addy O'Donnell and all she had been through. I was glad though, that the author made Addy a strong willed girl who proved she was not like the rest of her "bad" O'Donnell family. Some books, keep you thinking about them, even once you finished the book. I will remember Addy for a long time!
Oct 10, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
This historical fiction book is really sad, yet so good to read. No, really. I feel sad that Abby had to turn in her father, but he was dangerous, and he killed her friend, only because he was black. That is pretty much the Klu-Klux-Klan really hate, non-whites and non-Christians. This book shows a character that will help to do right, no matter waht predicament she is in. In other words, please read this book.
Apr 15, 2008
Clay
rated it:
Set ten years after the Civil War in Klan-tortured, reconstruction Mississippi, this novel begins the day twelve-year-old Addy's momma abandons her at the local school teacher's wedding. This is no surprise to anyone, least of all Addy. She's the youngest in a family of black sheeps, the O'Donnells, dangerous clan of the nearby backwater, No-Bob, a place so-named for a man who went in and never came out. But like losing her violent daddy, losing her momma turns out to be a stroke of luck. Smart,
More...
Aug 25, 2008
Adrienne
rated it:
3 1/2 stars, really. Addy, abandoned by both parents and stuck with her family's inescapable reputation (no-goods who live back in the woods and make trouble), works to make good when she is taken in by her teacher and his new wife, and comes face-to-face with the evils of the KKK, post-Civil War conflict, and the life choices that are only sometimes hers to make. I really did like this book and I almost gave it four stars. I appreciated Addy's no-nonsense telling and the inner conflicts she
More...
Dec 14, 2009
Caley
rated it:
I crossed No-Bob was a very realistic book. It took place in the 1800s after the war. The main character Addy comes from a horrible family and wants to get away safely. that's all i want to tell you!
Jul 11, 2010
Jamie
rated it:
This book is one of my favorite tween books I have read. It will appeal to boys and girls. The character development is amazing, especially of the main character, Addy. Highly recommend.
Jun 25, 2009
Erin
rated it:
Historical fiction. Perspective of a child turning over a new leaf during the depression. She'll even make you question yourself!
May 22, 2011
Jessie
rated it:
..very southern. it deals with the struggle of people down south after the civil war
Sep 16, 2008
Rachel
rated it:
This book was a surprise. The cover wasn't doing it for me, the description didn't grab me, but I had the galley in my box of things to read, and figured I might as well. I loved it. I read it in a matter of hours--just zoomed right through, delighted the whole way. The narrator's voice is engaging, and rang really emotionally true for me. The moral message might be a little too obvious for some, but it wasn't for me, I found the ideology to be folded into the story very palatably. Is pala
More...
Dec 08, 2007
Ann
rated it:
This is a well written and heart wrenching tale set in the south just after the Civil War. Issues of poverty,loss,loneliness, fear,ignorance, racial hatred, friendship, and belonging (sorry, it is all in there) are
described through the eyes of a strong and sensitive young woman. Much to discuss here. It is a book adults and award committees will love, but a harder sell I think to young readers themselves. Because of the harsh issues, I think it needs to be 6th grade and up.
described through the eyes of a strong and sensitive young woman. Much to discuss here. It is a book adults and award committees will love, but a harder sell I think to young readers themselves. Because of the harsh issues, I think it needs to be 6th grade and up.
Feb 26, 2008
Mercy
rated it:
I liked the book. It is well written and you become interested in the character's life. I found the messages and moral battles that were expressed by the main character didn't match her age. She is young, but had all these adult-type moral moments and such which I thought were more likely to come out of an older person.
I found this book in the children's area of the library so I can see how the author wanted to get these messages out to adolescent readers.
I found this book in the children's area of the library so I can see how the author wanted to get these messages out to adolescent readers.
Mar 11, 2008
Jessica
rated it:
***kids book. An excellent read! I thought the setting would be the dust bowl era. I was wrong. It was right after the Civil War. It gives a good back ground as to how people felt after the war. It has sadness and joy in little ways. Life was hard back then, almost impossible--the lack of food, communication, resources, etc. The main character learns a lot about herself. Even though her parents were good for nothings, she doesn't have to be.
Nov 23, 2007
Roxanne Hsu
rated it: 
Maybe I was too sleepy or tired when I attempted reading this story but I really couldn't keep my mind on it. I can see that the author has a great voice and that I really really like Addy O'Donnell, the main character, and the story has so many hard-hitting issues, dealing with the Klan and prejudices of many kinds. And yet... it seems fragmented and full of adult sensibilities, delivered as sermons, preaching to the readers. Am I too harsh?
Mar 03, 2008
Kelly
rated it:
Sequal to How I Found the Strong, Frank Russell is grown up with a new wife when Addy O'Donnell is left by her mother at his wedding. Addy is an O'Donnell, a family with ties to the KKK. This is Addy's story and she learns how good it feels to do right versus doing wrong. She learns what true love really is with Mr. Frank and his wife Mrs. Irene. Beautifully written, like How I Found the Strong, and perfect for a Civil War Unit.
Feb 20, 2008
Lydia
rated it:
A girl comes of age in post civil war Mississippi. It’s realistic, historical fiction, for 5-9 grade. Advanced readers and teachers would like it. It’s good for a serious book club or reading aloud in the classroom. There is some violence. It’s perfect for a class project on historical / realistic fiction. The cover art is bad, though. I can’t see teens picking this up for a fun read.
Feb 10, 2008
Jean
rated it:
The turbulence of prejudice and poverty in post-civil war Missisippi, told from the perspective of a poor girl from a notrious family clan of thieves and ruffians. Although gut-wrenching at times, exposing the nasty side of human nature--Addie's story is very compelling and I found it hard to put down.
For middle school and high school (and adult fans of young adult lit.)
For middle school and high school (and adult fans of young adult lit.)
Aug 25, 2008
Karin
rated it:
After rave reviews from everyone in book club, I finally read 'No-Bob.' It's the story of a 12yo girl named Addy, living in rural, reconstruction-era Mississippi. When her mom takes off, she goes to live with the local schoolteacher and his new wife and experiences kindness for the first time. Really well-written and interesting. But I didn't love it.
Dec 27, 2007
Katie Jane
rated it:
This is a very informative historical fiction book about post-Civil War Mississippi: race relations, day-to-day living, war recovery, emergence of the Ku Klux Klan. But mixed with all the harsh reality of that time period is an infusion of hope, both for the 12 year old narrator and the county and country she lives in.
Nov 09, 2008
Mary Jo
rated it:
This is teen lit and recommended for reluctant readers or any teen with a tough choice to make. This is sad and at the same time uplifting story about a young girl who was not a victim of her environment but became a better person because of it.
Jan 18, 2008
Jackie
rated it:
Great no-nonsense historical fiction about the civil war. the characters become ones you actually care about...McMullan has an extremely wonderful way with words, and the story is well-researched. I am surprised I haven't heard more about this book.
Jan 14, 2008
Gwen the Librarian
rated it:
This was a touching, humorous, and gut-wrenching story of poverty and prejudice in Reconstruction Mississippi. Very well-written. Now I will have to go back and read the one that came before this one, though this is also a stand-alone novel.
