"Sounder" by William H. Armstrong tells the poignant story of an African American boy growing up in the rural South during the Great Depression. His inseparable bond with his loyal dog, Sounder, is central to his life. When the boy's father is unjustly imprisoned for stealing food, their family's struggles intensify. As the boy navigates the harsh realities of poverty, racism, and loss, he learns valuable lessons about resilience, hope, and the enduring power of love. Through his journey, he discovers the strength within himself and the deep connection with Sounder that sustains him amid adversity. [Generated by language model - please report any problems].
This book is the winner of numerous awards
This book is aimed at children at US 5th grade+.
This book has been graded for interest at 10-13 years.
There are 128 pages in this book. This book was published in 1969 by HarperCollins .
William H. Armstrong (1911 - 1999) was an American children's author and educator, best known for his 1969 novel Sounder , which won the Newbery Medal.
This book contains the following story:
Sounder
Sounder cannot save his master - a father who is driven to steal for his hungry wife and children - from the sheriff's posse. Nor can he save him from fate, which pursues both master and dog, mauling each of them in it's cruel, impersonal jaws, while the boy who loves the two of them is forced to bear his sorrow like a man. Set in the deep South, this is a tale about the courage and love that bind a black sharecropping family together despite extreme prejudice and inhumanity from the outside world.
This book has been nominated for the following award:
Newbery Award
The Newbery Medal, named after 18th-century British bookseller John Newbery, is one of the most prestigious awards in children's literature. Established in 1922 by the American Library Association (ALA), the Newbery Medal is awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished American children's book published in the previous year. The award committee evaluates nominees based on literary quality, originality, presentation, and relevance to childrens literature. The book should demonstrate excellence in narrative and character development, as well as appeal to the intended audience. In addition to the medal winner, the committee also designates several Honor Books each year. These titles are recognized for their merit and are considered outstanding contributions to childrens literature, though they do not receive the medal.
