Courtney's Birthday Party

by Loretta Long

Courtney is very excited. Her seventh birthday is only a few days away, and her mother has planned a special party. All of Courtney's classmates will be invited, including Courtney's best friend, Dejana. Courtney and Dejana have been best friends for a long time. They ride the bus to school together; they sit next to each other in class. It has never mattered to them that one is white and one is black. Dejana is excited, too. In the days leading up to the party, she works hard at several odd jobs so she can buy a special gift to give to her friend. But when the invitations to the party are passed out, Dejana doesn't receive one. Courtney's mother doesn't want Dejana to attend. Both Dejana and Courtney are devastated. But friendship wins the day when Courtney's determination forces her mother to change her mind. In engaging prose, actress and educator Loretta Long shows that loyalty and determination can overcome racial prejudice and ignorance.

32 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 1998

Reviews

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courtney and Diana are best friends from different racial backgrounds who share a deep bond. Diana’s mother is skeptical about the friendship because Courtney has never invited Diana to play at her house. As Courtney’s seventh birthday approaches, Diana does odd jobs to buy a gift for her. However, Courtney is devastated when her mother refuses to create an invitation for Diana. Without explanation, her mother says Diana wouldn’t "fit in" at the party. Diana is heartbroken by the exclusion. Diana’s mother has a difficult conversation with her daughter, explaining that some people only want to be around those who look like them. In the end, friendship triumphs over racism. As Diana puts it, while she and Courtney may look different on the outside, they’re the same on the inside. The ending is joyful, but there's an undercurrent of sadness and injustice due to Courtney’s racist mother—though she does make a positive change at the party. A thoughtful afterword discusses parental interference and exclusion regarding their children’s friendships.

[Sabrina Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to read what this book was about but then I got a little saddened by the story. This story was about two families from two different races; black and white. Two little little girls are best friends and wound up having difficulty due to the fact that the adults share different point of views. In the end the two girls rekindled their friendship and both, being seven and innocent; were clueless about the racial connotations displayed by their parents.
This story can be used to teach children about differences and similarities.

[Tyesha Yarbrough · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Courtney's Birthday Party" is a great book that covers racism and acceptance. Courtney, a young Caucasian girl, is best friends with Diana, a young African-American girl. They have so much in common; they lived in the same town, went to the same school, rode the same bus, were in the same class and even sat in the same row. They liked so many of the same things and were about to be the same age. Courtney is very excited for her seventh birthday and her special party. All of Courtney's classmates will be invited and the two girls know for sure that Diana will be invited also. Diana worked very hard to earn enough money to buy Courtney a great present for her birthday. But as Courtney's mother was preparing the invitations, she wrote everyone name except for Diana's. Courtney was confused as to why her mother did not make an invitation for her best friend. Both of the girls were sad and confused to why Diana could not come to Courtney's party. Courtney and Diana both begged their mothers about the party but the mothers constantly said that it was not a good idea. When it was time for the party, both of the girls were still sad. Even at her own party, Courtney was crying because her best friend was not there. Her mother then realized how important it was for Courtney to have Diana there. Her mother then called Diana's mother to let them know that she made a mistake and to see if Diana can come to the party. Diana's mother explained to her how some people only want to be with people who look like them. Diana was more than positive that Courtney was not like that. As Diana pulled up to the party, Courtney ran out the house and they hugged and smiled. Courtney said that it would not have been a birthday party without her best friend.

Written by Loretta Long and illustrated by Ron Garnett, both African Americans, this book represents different cultural groups, in which the author and illustrator are a part of one of them, and addresses racism. This book is good for both, parents and children. It shows that the color of someone skin should not dictate whether we are their friend or not. This book gets deep on the subject of racism and I do not think it is appropriate for younger elementary school students but the older ones should definitely read it. The illustrations matches the author's words and better enhance the story. They show a good visualization of what is happening during the story. This book have a rich plot and includes a problem and situation. The characters are realistic and reliable. I highly recommend.