Sounder is a short novel by William H. Armstrong. This book won the Newbery Medal in 1970. The story is about a young boy living in the 19th-century South. The boy’s name is not given, but his father is described as a black sharecropper who is struggling to support his poor and hungry family. Along with his loyal dog, Sounder, the boy manages to survive despite the challenges of poverty and discrimination. From the boy’s perspective, this book explores themes such as finding strength to overcome trials and the importance of family. This book describes the harsh reality of racism and its harmful consequences. However, this book also celebrates an enduring spirit of hope and resilience as the boy is forced to deal with many hardships during his early life.

This book is simple yet powerful. It captures the emotions of characters who are dealing with severe difficulties. I appreciate that this book describes the Southern setting in a very realistic way, because I gained perspective on that society and culture. The relationship between the boy and his dog Sounder is very touching. I was impressed by the dog’s loyalty, and the story taught an important lesson about the value of good companionship during times of trial. The boy faces many challenges, including the imprisonment of his father and the struggles of daily survival. Through it all, he learns to become resilient and self-reliant.

A major theme of this book is the power of education. The boy’s greatest desire is to learn to read. Despite the tragic events of this story, there is hope that the boy will ultimately achieve his goal. This book inspired me to endure hardships and to pursue as much education as I can. Even though the human experience can be difficult and unfair, we can celebrate times of joy and express gratitude for family connections. Overall, I appreciated this book very much, and I would highly recommend it.

Sounder by William H. Armstrong is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.