Walter Dean Myers’ novel, The Glory Field, garners praise for its rich, multi-generational narrative and vivid portrayal of African American history. Reviewers applaud the depth of characters and historical insight, though some critique its complex timeline as potentially confusing. Overall, it's a compelling, educational read recommended for young adults.

The reader who would enjoy The Glory Field by Walter Dean Myers is typically interested in multi-generational family sagas, African American history, and courageous personal stories. Fans of Alex Haley's Roots and Mildred D. Taylor's Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry will find its intricate narrative and historical depth compelling.

The Glory Field by Walter Dean Myers follows the struggles and triumphs of an African-American family from slavery to equality, through six interconnected stories spanning 1753 to 1994, from Sierra Leone to Harlem. Sensitive topics such as enslavement, racial injustice, addiction, and violence are depicted.

Challenging / Emotional / Inspirational / Bittersweet / Contemplative

- The Glory Field is a multi-generational novel, showcasing the rich and complex history of an African American family, which was a feature celebrated in the 1990s for highlighting lesser-known narratives of American history.
- Walter Dean Myers received the ALAN Award for his contributions to young adult literature, including works like The Glory Field, which is praised for engaging young readers with profound historical contexts.
- The novel explores themes of resilience and legacy, often designed to inspire discussions about racial identity and family heritage in educational settings.

**Muhammad Bilal**  
The first documented member of the Lewis family, Muhammad is captured by slave traders at the age of eleven in Sierra Leone and brought to America, where he becomes a slave on the Live Oaks Plantation.

**Lizzy Lewis**  
A thirteen-year-old girl who is a slave on the Live Oaks Plantation; she is very close to her adoptive family and later becomes involved in the Union Army during the Civil War.

**Elijah Lewis**  
The son of Lizzy and Richard, he is a fifteen-year-old working the land on the Glory Field in 1900 and is deeply aware of his family's history and the significance of the land.

**Luvenia Lewis**  
Living in 1930's Chicago, she is the entrepreneurial and ambitious daughter of Elijah and Goldie, who starts her own business and navigates the racial dynamics of the era.

**Tommy Lewis**  
A young man in 1964 who is an excellent basketball player and a student in South Carolina; his arc follows his growing awareness of and participation in the Civil Rights Movement.

**Malcolm Lewis**  
A fifteen-year-old in 1994 living in Harlem; he is a student, musician, and works part-time in his great-aunt’s cosmetics factory before embarking on a character-building journey to a family reunion.

Walter Dean Myers

Middle grade

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