What do you think?
Rate this book
The Secret of Gumbo Grove
Raisin Stackhouse doesn't mind doing odd jobs for old Miss Effie Pfluggins, but when Miss Effie talks her into cleaning up the old church cemetery, she has no idea what trouble she might dig up. Mama says Miss Effie talks much too much, but Raisin loves hearing her remember the old days--especially when one of her stories puts Raisin smack in the middle of real-life mystery.
When Raisin is grounded for sneaking a night out, she not only misses her chance to compete in the Miss Ebony Pageant, but her efforts to uncover the famous person buried in the cemetery are brought to a half, too. Somehow Raisin's got to solve the big mystery no one in town wants to talk about. Will her discovery bring her glory, or is the past better off left buried?
When Raisin is grounded for sneaking a night out, she not only misses her chance to compete in the Miss Ebony Pageant, but her efforts to uncover the famous person buried in the cemetery are brought to a half, too. Somehow Raisin's got to solve the big mystery no one in town wants to talk about. Will her discovery bring her glory, or is the past better off left buried?
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 1987
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 12, 2020
What a delightful and informative book for young adults. I read it years ago and kept the book because I liked it so well. Now in re-reading it, I am asking myself if this was really the same book. What I had remembered was a young girl going next door to talk with an elderly black woman who taught her about herbs and things. Gullah people who know healing and magic. The magic of this book was not the same that I remembered. I must have gotten it mixed up with Gloria Naylor’s “Mama Day,” which is about magic on a Gullah Island off the east coast of America. “Mama Day was the book that first got me interested in the Gullah culture.
The magic in this book was still about the Gullah culture. It was about how a small black neighborhood on a beach town in S.C. learned the value of their history. The elderly woman was Miss Effie, who was a church secretary. Raisin, the young girl did go to visit with her like I remembered, but Miss Effie would tell her about the black history in their part of the country, in their town, a history that some of their people wished to keep hidden, until the very end where they became proud of their past. It is a book about a church burning down, a cemetery falling into disrepair. It is about how it was during segregation when black people couldn’t eat in the same restaurant, use the same bathroom and something else that didn't sink in the first time I read it: They couldn’t try on clothing or even return them if they didn’t fit. If they bought shoes and found out that they didn’t fit, they wore them anyway.
For years I had wanted to visit a Gullah Island. Like I had said, Gloria Naylor’s book started it all, and I had read it in the late 80s, it has been that long. Then a few years ago I read “The Water is Wide” a true story by the author who went to a Gullah island to teach.
This year my husband wanted to take a trip back east to check out all the beach towns from South Carolina to Key West, and then the Gulf Coast. I looked up the Gullah culture and decided I wanted to see St. Helena Island in S. C. We pulled into Beaufort, S.C., but with my views on racism, I wanted nothing to do with seeing mansions. I had seen enough in my life.
We went across the bridge to St. Helena, and the tourists were not there. What a relief. We had breakfast at the Bella Luna Café. Their biscuits and sausage gravy was the best I had ever tasted in a restaurant. Homemade.
A couple of young women were sitting next to us, and I began talking with them, or they me. One was white; the other black. At first I thought that they were Jehovah’s Witnesses, who do mix in company with other races, which is one of the very few things I have missed about being a Jehovah’s Witness. But when I asked them if they had hurricanes on the island, one of them said, “No, God protects us here because we are Christians.” Hmmm. Jehovah’s Witnesses never use the word, God or Christian. But who knows, maybe they learned to to with strangers. And just maybe things have changed in the south somewhat. And then silently I wondered why God doesn’t protect the other Christians, whoever they may be.
We left and drove down Martin Luther King Blvd., a very small two lane road for a blvd. As we drove to the east end of the island, we saw a tree that looked like it was full of white plastic bags tied to branches. We stopped and got out our binoculars. The bags moved, and then all the sudden we saw a few great white egrets fluttering their wings like individual feathers of a fan. How beautiful. I took photos, but they didn’t come out well—too far away. Cheap camera.
Then we found a church called the Chapel of Ease. It had been burned down after the civil war. Built by blacks for the white plantation owners, and after the war the blacks had it, but not for long. We stopped and took photos. A cemetery was next to it, a small one, but in this book that I just read, the church where Miss Effie worked, had a cemetery as well, but that church was not the one that had burned down in the book.
I could have lived right there in the Chapel of Ease. Put a roof on the church; add windows and doors and a floor. It just felt peaceful with Spanish moss hanging from nearby trees.
What was interesting about the chapel was that it was made with oyster shells crushed into the concrete. The concrete is actually called, tabby. Here is how you make it: Burn oyser shells to make lime, and then mix with water, ashes, and sand.
Then we stopped at the Penn Center that was on the same road. It was one of the first freed black schools where they taught them farming, shoe making, basket weaving, etc. Martin Luther King, Jr. used to come to the island to the school to rest after his lectures across America. He lived in a house across the street, and it is said that he wrote his “I Have a Dream” speech there. He was going to return there after leaving Memphis, but he never made it, he was murdered in Memphis. We had just come from Memphis, from seeing the place where he was killed, and through a town in Georgia that had lined its cemetery with confederate flags.
P.S. This book was set in Myrtle Beach and not on an island.
Chapel of Ease, St. Helena Island, S.C.
great white herons
The magic in this book was still about the Gullah culture. It was about how a small black neighborhood on a beach town in S.C. learned the value of their history. The elderly woman was Miss Effie, who was a church secretary. Raisin, the young girl did go to visit with her like I remembered, but Miss Effie would tell her about the black history in their part of the country, in their town, a history that some of their people wished to keep hidden, until the very end where they became proud of their past. It is a book about a church burning down, a cemetery falling into disrepair. It is about how it was during segregation when black people couldn’t eat in the same restaurant, use the same bathroom and something else that didn't sink in the first time I read it: They couldn’t try on clothing or even return them if they didn’t fit. If they bought shoes and found out that they didn’t fit, they wore them anyway.
For years I had wanted to visit a Gullah Island. Like I had said, Gloria Naylor’s book started it all, and I had read it in the late 80s, it has been that long. Then a few years ago I read “The Water is Wide” a true story by the author who went to a Gullah island to teach.
This year my husband wanted to take a trip back east to check out all the beach towns from South Carolina to Key West, and then the Gulf Coast. I looked up the Gullah culture and decided I wanted to see St. Helena Island in S. C. We pulled into Beaufort, S.C., but with my views on racism, I wanted nothing to do with seeing mansions. I had seen enough in my life.
We went across the bridge to St. Helena, and the tourists were not there. What a relief. We had breakfast at the Bella Luna Café. Their biscuits and sausage gravy was the best I had ever tasted in a restaurant. Homemade.
A couple of young women were sitting next to us, and I began talking with them, or they me. One was white; the other black. At first I thought that they were Jehovah’s Witnesses, who do mix in company with other races, which is one of the very few things I have missed about being a Jehovah’s Witness. But when I asked them if they had hurricanes on the island, one of them said, “No, God protects us here because we are Christians.” Hmmm. Jehovah’s Witnesses never use the word, God or Christian. But who knows, maybe they learned to to with strangers. And just maybe things have changed in the south somewhat. And then silently I wondered why God doesn’t protect the other Christians, whoever they may be.
We left and drove down Martin Luther King Blvd., a very small two lane road for a blvd. As we drove to the east end of the island, we saw a tree that looked like it was full of white plastic bags tied to branches. We stopped and got out our binoculars. The bags moved, and then all the sudden we saw a few great white egrets fluttering their wings like individual feathers of a fan. How beautiful. I took photos, but they didn’t come out well—too far away. Cheap camera.
Then we found a church called the Chapel of Ease. It had been burned down after the civil war. Built by blacks for the white plantation owners, and after the war the blacks had it, but not for long. We stopped and took photos. A cemetery was next to it, a small one, but in this book that I just read, the church where Miss Effie worked, had a cemetery as well, but that church was not the one that had burned down in the book.
I could have lived right there in the Chapel of Ease. Put a roof on the church; add windows and doors and a floor. It just felt peaceful with Spanish moss hanging from nearby trees.
What was interesting about the chapel was that it was made with oyster shells crushed into the concrete. The concrete is actually called, tabby. Here is how you make it: Burn oyser shells to make lime, and then mix with water, ashes, and sand.
Then we stopped at the Penn Center that was on the same road. It was one of the first freed black schools where they taught them farming, shoe making, basket weaving, etc. Martin Luther King, Jr. used to come to the island to the school to rest after his lectures across America. He lived in a house across the street, and it is said that he wrote his “I Have a Dream” speech there. He was going to return there after leaving Memphis, but he never made it, he was murdered in Memphis. We had just come from Memphis, from seeing the place where he was killed, and through a town in Georgia that had lined its cemetery with confederate flags.
P.S. This book was set in Myrtle Beach and not on an island.
Chapel of Ease, St. Helena Island, S.C.
great white herons
April 24, 2014
A very uninteresting book. I had to read it for school and I do NOT recommend it to anybody.
September 15, 2013
Set in South Carolina during the late 80s or early 90s:
Raisin Stackhouse finds herself doing odd jobs for Miz Effie Pfluggins, the church secretary, and during this particular summer, Miz Effie asks her to help clean up the old church cemetery. At first, she's a little hesitant, but finds that what Miz Effie tells her about the old cemetery really peaks her interest.
Raisin is determined to uncover the mysteries and deep, rich history that lies beyond the cemetery limits, however, Raisin wasn't really prepared for what she has unearthed. Can the cemetery really answer questions about the town's past? Does Raisin stir up trouble in the community or positive excitement? You'll have to read and find out!
I read this book several times as a child, but couldn't really remember why I read it over and over. As an adult, I wanted to figure out why. I love the premise of the book. I love the history, the mystery, and rich pride that the characters have in their heritage. The downside? I found that the author somewhat lost her path and went in too many directions that were unrelated to the main story line of the book. It felt like too many ideas in one book and this is what made the pacing medium to slow. With this being a children's/tween book, I feel it needs to be less complex in the direction of the story. (I now believe that I read it so many times because I kept trying to make sense of the main point of the story. I think I lost track and had to reread it in order to make sure I didn't miss anything.)
By cutting out a few parts that didn't make the story any better, I feel like this is a real winner. There's little characterization, but very descriptive and has a powerful emotional undertone to the writing. The character becomes closer to her family and even finds herself in the middle of an innocent budding romance-which I also liked. Other than the somewhat outdated pop culture terms (Prince, Michael Jackson, etc.), I would think this book would be relatable to young kids of all backgrounds, especially African American kids. It might even open up a door for them to want to learn more about their ancestors. One last thing to note, I really appreciated how the author synced black and white people together. I felt, for the most part, that the author stayed very sensitive to all races.
I would hand this book to kids in 5th-7th grade. I would definitely hand it to those kids who are interested in family history or genealogy. One last thing to note, the word "virgin" is used and there may be some parents that would be sensitive to that in their child's reading material.
Raisin Stackhouse finds herself doing odd jobs for Miz Effie Pfluggins, the church secretary, and during this particular summer, Miz Effie asks her to help clean up the old church cemetery. At first, she's a little hesitant, but finds that what Miz Effie tells her about the old cemetery really peaks her interest.
Raisin is determined to uncover the mysteries and deep, rich history that lies beyond the cemetery limits, however, Raisin wasn't really prepared for what she has unearthed. Can the cemetery really answer questions about the town's past? Does Raisin stir up trouble in the community or positive excitement? You'll have to read and find out!
I read this book several times as a child, but couldn't really remember why I read it over and over. As an adult, I wanted to figure out why. I love the premise of the book. I love the history, the mystery, and rich pride that the characters have in their heritage. The downside? I found that the author somewhat lost her path and went in too many directions that were unrelated to the main story line of the book. It felt like too many ideas in one book and this is what made the pacing medium to slow. With this being a children's/tween book, I feel it needs to be less complex in the direction of the story. (I now believe that I read it so many times because I kept trying to make sense of the main point of the story. I think I lost track and had to reread it in order to make sure I didn't miss anything.)
By cutting out a few parts that didn't make the story any better, I feel like this is a real winner. There's little characterization, but very descriptive and has a powerful emotional undertone to the writing. The character becomes closer to her family and even finds herself in the middle of an innocent budding romance-which I also liked. Other than the somewhat outdated pop culture terms (Prince, Michael Jackson, etc.), I would think this book would be relatable to young kids of all backgrounds, especially African American kids. It might even open up a door for them to want to learn more about their ancestors. One last thing to note, I really appreciated how the author synced black and white people together. I felt, for the most part, that the author stayed very sensitive to all races.
I would hand this book to kids in 5th-7th grade. I would definitely hand it to those kids who are interested in family history or genealogy. One last thing to note, the word "virgin" is used and there may be some parents that would be sensitive to that in their child's reading material.
November 8, 2023
I had to read this for school and I did not enjoy it. The story was unique but it was boring. I'm surprised I survived this. But then again, I don't read these types of books so it wasn't interesting for me.
November 4, 2022
What a fun book to have happened across on a library shelf! I feel like I haven't read many books that were set (and written) in the late 80s from a Black perspective, which I appreciated about this book. It added nuance to my understanding of the mindset of those who were still fighting for true equality and the ways that previous eras had impacted attitudes. I liked Raisin as a character; she had gumption and curiosity without being pushy or obnoxious about her views. Her interactions with her parents were very accurate and reminded me of my own semi-rebellious thoughts (that generally led to me doing what I was told, anyway) as a pre-teen. It was a fun dynamic. I loved that as Raisin uncovered local history, her own understanding grew. And I loved that the community ultimately gets behind her important work of bringing things to light.
September 12, 2023
The title of this book really caught my interest as I am not sure that a published author today would choose to be as bold in their narrative labeling. This book represents so many things on so many levels, including the title, that I am not certain many others even could really come close to this. If you're looking for something to read with/to middle school age, this o inne should be top of that list for so many reasons. If you're looking for something for the same age to read independently, then this would not fit that bill, for as many/more reasons. I struggled with rating this book for it's sweeping cultural and moral vitiation, but I ranked it higher bc I decided that it's such a gem of narrative literally aggregate with raw, rare, and rough truth/s. Also the audio reading (Libby) was also very easy and enjoyable as (was) most of the writing.
Read
March 9, 2020The setting of the secrets of gumbo grove is in Gumbo Grove,South Carolina, late 80´s. The church secertary, Miz Effie Pfluggins ask Raisin Stackhouse to help her clean a cemetry which is pretty strange! While cleanig the cemetry the 2 don´t know what kind of trouble the could dig up. But unfortunalty Raisin get grounded for sneaking out & may miss her chance to find out more about Gumbo Grove. Mama says that Miz Effie Pfluggins talks to much but Raisin likes to hear the old stories. Will Raisin get to discover the secrets of Gumbo Grove?
I would recommend this book to someone who like to read about mysterys.
I would recommend this book to someone who like to read about mysterys.
January 18, 2020
I thought this was a charming book about history, youth and valuing the foundational ground work ancestors and elders left before us! It was well told and relatable to any age.
July 8, 2022
Very good book
March 19, 2025
I read to page 88. The interactions of the main character with the bully, Big Boy, just to advance the storyline was not very appealing. The book no longer held my interest.
April 7, 2025
Im glad that went with my first mind and read this book as I love historical fiction!
March 4, 2017
B-. children's fiction, upper elementary, saving history, discrimination, Mom's stash, keep
December 23, 2010
Raisin and her family live in Gumbo Grove, South Carolina. Miss Effie, the church secretary for local church asks Raisin for help cleaning up the church cemetary. Raisin doesn't want to at first, but then Miss Effie starts telling her about all the people buried in the cemetary and about how important they were, Raisin is thrilled to help out. What Raisin didn't bargin for was upsetting some of the community members because they didn't want to be forced to learn their family history.
October 25, 2008
LOved it
April 12, 2009
ok... it was good... but i won't read it again probably
June 25, 2009
This is another children's book that I so love. It is based upon the Myrtle Beach area and centers around a secret of the town so long ago, but if you wish to know the secret, read it for yourself!
August 2, 2010
love the bbook so far
June 23, 2011
Youth fiction- mystery
Well written. but I thought it took too much time to get to the main gyst of the plot.
Well written. but I thought it took too much time to get to the main gyst of the plot.
Read
January 20, 2015can you let me read this book?
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews