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Young Heroes of the Caribbean
A work of FICTION that has historical figures in make believe circumstances.
Life on the beach was comfortable, Ramiro thought, until his father decided that the racetrack was a better scene for his ten-year-old son. Ramiro must deal with the tension between his parents and within himself as he struggles with finding himself and his place in the world.
At fifteen, Gail without the support of family was already learning to fend for herself in the community on the beach. With Ramiro gone, she thought that maybe she could adopt his mother, who is now more concerned about losing her home. The mythical strength of seven young heroes from back in time prepare the family for their common destiny and the challenges that are to come.
Life on the beach was comfortable, Ramiro thought, until his father decided that the racetrack was a better scene for his ten-year-old son. Ramiro must deal with the tension between his parents and within himself as he struggles with finding himself and his place in the world.
At fifteen, Gail without the support of family was already learning to fend for herself in the community on the beach. With Ramiro gone, she thought that maybe she could adopt his mother, who is now more concerned about losing her home. The mythical strength of seven young heroes from back in time prepare the family for their common destiny and the challenges that are to come.
160 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Gwyneth Harold Davidson
4 books38 followersGwyneth Harold Davidson is a Jamaican novelist and short story writer.
Harold Davidson writes short stories and novels that suit a young adult (YA) audience, and also general adult literature. Her literary awards have been for general adult literature, and her body of work is set in the Caribbean. She is also an experienced public relations practitioner.
Two of her fiction compilations have been produced for audio: the five-part aviation adventure series, Fly Guy; and Young Heroes, which was a collaborative project with the Jamaica Information Service (JIS).
She is a collaborator of the Two Seasons Talking Trees Literary Fiesta which was held in Jamaica in 2011, 2012 and 2014.
Harold Davidson also writes journalism articles and she edited the newsletter of the Public Relations Society of Jamaica from 2009 - 2013. She enjoys the Caribbean lifestyle where her greatest challenge is growing flowers and vegetables in the backyard garden in Jamaica where she lives with her husband and their son.
Awards
JCDC 2002 Award for short story, Man of Honour
JCDC 2002 Award of Merit for novel, Secret Identities of the Rio Minho
Short Listed for the Una Marson Book Prize 2001 for collection of short stories, Here and Elsewhere
Recipient of JCDC 2001, 2003, 2004 Literary Awards for short stories
Recipient of JCDC 2002, 2003, 2005 Literary Awards for novels
Short Listed for Vic Reid Prize for children 2007 for novel, Bad Girls in School
Novel
Bad Girls in School (2007) Harcourt Education, Caribbean Writers Series
Newspaper Fiction Series
Someone Special - a wilful teenage girl gets sent to Montego Bay to be reformed by her aunt, but instead gets caught up in the illicit narcotics trade before she is rescued by an unlikely hero. The Teen Herald - 10 episodes, 2004
The Gleaner’s Youth Link magazine – 4 episodes, 2010
Fly Guy Part 1 stories of a Caribbean aviator – Reckless behaviour in street traffic causes a jet pilot to lose his job and he has to rebuild his reputation. He is able to rediscover his passion for flying through aviation escapades at the lowest level of his profession.
Radio Silence Part 2 of the Fly Guy aviation adventure series – The Gleaner’s Youth Link magazine – five, five-minute episodes, 2011
A jet pilot helps his friend, a police detective, to solve the mystery of why cellular frequencies seem to be frequently blocked across the capital city. It brings them into danger, and back in contact with an old friend.
Audio Drama
Fly Guy Part 1 of the aviation adventure series – four, five-minute episodes, 2010
Young Heroes – alternate histories of seven of Jamaica’s national heroes – seven, five-minute episodes, 2013. This was co-produced with the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) on the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the agency.
/END
Harold Davidson writes short stories and novels that suit a young adult (YA) audience, and also general adult literature. Her literary awards have been for general adult literature, and her body of work is set in the Caribbean. She is also an experienced public relations practitioner.
Two of her fiction compilations have been produced for audio: the five-part aviation adventure series, Fly Guy; and Young Heroes, which was a collaborative project with the Jamaica Information Service (JIS).
She is a collaborator of the Two Seasons Talking Trees Literary Fiesta which was held in Jamaica in 2011, 2012 and 2014.
Harold Davidson also writes journalism articles and she edited the newsletter of the Public Relations Society of Jamaica from 2009 - 2013. She enjoys the Caribbean lifestyle where her greatest challenge is growing flowers and vegetables in the backyard garden in Jamaica where she lives with her husband and their son.
Awards
JCDC 2002 Award for short story, Man of Honour
JCDC 2002 Award of Merit for novel, Secret Identities of the Rio Minho
Short Listed for the Una Marson Book Prize 2001 for collection of short stories, Here and Elsewhere
Recipient of JCDC 2001, 2003, 2004 Literary Awards for short stories
Recipient of JCDC 2002, 2003, 2005 Literary Awards for novels
Short Listed for Vic Reid Prize for children 2007 for novel, Bad Girls in School
Novel
Bad Girls in School (2007) Harcourt Education, Caribbean Writers Series
Newspaper Fiction Series
Someone Special - a wilful teenage girl gets sent to Montego Bay to be reformed by her aunt, but instead gets caught up in the illicit narcotics trade before she is rescued by an unlikely hero. The Teen Herald - 10 episodes, 2004
The Gleaner’s Youth Link magazine – 4 episodes, 2010
Fly Guy Part 1 stories of a Caribbean aviator – Reckless behaviour in street traffic causes a jet pilot to lose his job and he has to rebuild his reputation. He is able to rediscover his passion for flying through aviation escapades at the lowest level of his profession.
Radio Silence Part 2 of the Fly Guy aviation adventure series – The Gleaner’s Youth Link magazine – five, five-minute episodes, 2011
A jet pilot helps his friend, a police detective, to solve the mystery of why cellular frequencies seem to be frequently blocked across the capital city. It brings them into danger, and back in contact with an old friend.
Audio Drama
Fly Guy Part 1 of the aviation adventure series – four, five-minute episodes, 2010
Young Heroes – alternate histories of seven of Jamaica’s national heroes – seven, five-minute episodes, 2013. This was co-produced with the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) on the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the agency.
/END
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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August 7, 2021I am the author of this book.
April 9, 2015
I have received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads
This was amazing, I enjoyed it from the beginning to the end. I like how it's simple. I learn a lot more about the Jamaican heroes. I loved it.
March 13, 2016
A GoodReads GiveAway
Set in present day Jamaica, this is the story of Ramiro, a ten year old boy who lives on the beach with his mother. Unexpectedly, Ramiro’s father — Sawdust — takes him to live at the race track where Sawdust works as a groom.
Meanwhile, back at the beach, Gail, a homeless girl, moves in with Lilly, Ramiro’s mom.
Since this book is written for young people – more or less school children – the stories of significant people (Norman Manley, for instance) from Jamaica’s history are just as important as the story of Ramiro’s family life.
All in all, the book takes a look — albeit in a small way — at Jamaican society.
Here’s something I found particularly interesting. Although we live far apart — stretched almost to the limits of the Northern Hemisphere — Ramiro and I share some common ground, some shared history because of the British influence on both our homelands.
Historically, Newfoundland, my place of abode, traded with Jamaica. Newfoundland shipped salt fish to Jamaica. When the ships’ holds were emptied of fish they were then laden with Jamaican rum which was carried back to Newfoundland.
In the story of Paul Bogle’s bravery, to strengthen their courage a group of frightened children hiding from danger sing a church hymn: “You in your small corner and I in mine.” That hymn was often sung at church in my bay-boy village; not to boost courage but shared history nonetheless.
This book is well-written historical fiction for children, or aged readers way (a four hour plane ride) north of Jamaica.
Oh, and, b’ys, the author’s name is a sweet touch for this scribbler: Gwyneth “Harold” Davidson.
Set in present day Jamaica, this is the story of Ramiro, a ten year old boy who lives on the beach with his mother. Unexpectedly, Ramiro’s father — Sawdust — takes him to live at the race track where Sawdust works as a groom.
Meanwhile, back at the beach, Gail, a homeless girl, moves in with Lilly, Ramiro’s mom.
Since this book is written for young people – more or less school children – the stories of significant people (Norman Manley, for instance) from Jamaica’s history are just as important as the story of Ramiro’s family life.
All in all, the book takes a look — albeit in a small way — at Jamaican society.
Here’s something I found particularly interesting. Although we live far apart — stretched almost to the limits of the Northern Hemisphere — Ramiro and I share some common ground, some shared history because of the British influence on both our homelands.
Historically, Newfoundland, my place of abode, traded with Jamaica. Newfoundland shipped salt fish to Jamaica. When the ships’ holds were emptied of fish they were then laden with Jamaican rum which was carried back to Newfoundland.
In the story of Paul Bogle’s bravery, to strengthen their courage a group of frightened children hiding from danger sing a church hymn: “You in your small corner and I in mine.” That hymn was often sung at church in my bay-boy village; not to boost courage but shared history nonetheless.
This book is well-written historical fiction for children, or aged readers way (a four hour plane ride) north of Jamaica.
Oh, and, b’ys, the author’s name is a sweet touch for this scribbler: Gwyneth “Harold” Davidson.
May 26, 2016
I enjoyed the book. A series of stories within a story give an interesting read. I also enjoyed the pictures that went along with the stories. It helped me visualize what was going on better. I also like the fact that the words of dialogue were spelled in the way they sound, helping me to understand accents of the characters better.
Book received through goodreads giveaway
Book received through goodreads giveaway
December 29, 2014
i loved this, this made me learn more about my country, Jamaica. i enjoyed. great work
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews