Melitte

by Fatima Shaik

In 1772, years of mistreatment force thirteen-year-old Melitte to decide whether or not to run away from the Frenchman who has kept her as a slave on his poor Louisiana farm

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Childrens

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[The Bursting Bookshelf of a Wallflower]

4 stars!

Melinde is a very intense and heartbreaking read illustrating the fate of Melinde, a thirteen-year-old girl that has been growing up in slavery in Louisiana, 1772. Living with her master and his wife, Melinde has never been loved by anyone and is forced to spend all her days working in order to keep her master statisfied. While he is showing moments of humanity from time to time, his coldhearted wife is making Melinde's life hell. However, the moment Marie, the master's child is born, a beautiful bond of friendship is developing between Marie and Melinde.

Melinde is a rather short and quick read, but it will definitly stay in my mind for quite a while.

[Judy]

Stories about slavery are never joyful, so I wasn't anxious to read this. Yes, there's pain, but there's also hope. I wanted to take these two young girls and give them a happier childhood, erase their anxieties. Most of the story takes place on the farm of a poor white couple; but this is adroitly compared to the life of slaves on a plantation.

I'll keep this book and read it with the kids when the time seems appropriate.

[Miss Amanda]

gr 4-8 144pgs

1772 Louisiana. 13 year old Melittle has never had anyone love her. She has no memory of her mother. Monsieur and Madame have always made her work hard from the time she was little and never let her forget that she was their slave. After the birth of their daughter, Melittle is put in charge of taking care of her. From the very start, Melittle loves Marie. As Marie grows up, Melittle finds that Marie loves her too. Melittle longs to be free but how can she leave Marie, the only one who loves her, behind?

[Meher Iman]

still reading