The Dark-Thirty facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Patricia McKissack |
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| Illustrator | Brian Pinkney |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Young Adult Fiction Short Stories Anthology |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
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Publication date
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1992 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 166 |
| ISBN | 0-679-89006-8 |
The Dark-Thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural is a thrilling book for young readers. It contains ten spooky stories about ghosts and mysterious events. These tales are set in the American South during important historical times. They cover periods like slavery and the Civil Rights Movement.
The book was written by Patricia McKissack and her husband, Fredrick McKissack. They are famous for their books about African American history and culture. The amazing pictures in the book were drawn by Brian Pinkney. He has illustrated many popular children's books.
The Dark-Thirty was first published in 1992. It quickly won two major awards. In 1993, it received a Newbery Honor and a Coretta Scott King Award. These awards show how special and important the book is.
Spooky Story Summaries
This book is filled with ten exciting and sometimes scary stories. Each one takes you on a journey into the supernatural world.
The Legend of Pin Oak
This story is about Henri McAvoy, a formerly enslaved man. His family is torn apart by his half-brother, Harper McAvoy. Henri's family tries to escape, but they get trapped. They must make a very difficult choice to survive.
We Organized
This tale follows a man who gained his freedom before the Emancipation Proclamation. He tells about how enslaved people were treated unfairly. They secretly used special rituals to stand up to their owner.
Justice
Riley Holt, the richest man in Tallahatchie, Mississippi, is found dead. Hoop Granger quickly blames Alvin Tinsley for the crime. Alvin has a strong alibi and is set free. But Hoop still believes someone needs to pay for Riley's death.
The 11:59
Lester Simmons, an old train worker, shares a scary legend. He talks about a ghost train called the 11:59. The legend says that no train worker who hears its whistle lives. One night, Lester hears the whistle and tries to escape his fate.
The Sight
Esau is born with a special gift called "the sight." This gift lets him see future events. It can be a blessing or a curse. Esau learns to control his visions. However, he is forced to use his power for bad reasons when his father returns.
The Woman in the Snow
This story takes place during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Grady Bishop, a white bus driver, works on a route known as the "Blackbird Express." One snowy night, he sees a young woman, Eula Mae Daniels, with her baby. They are struggling in the snow. Grady refuses to let them on the bus because they have no money. Eula Mae and her baby tragically freeze to death. A year later, Grady meets Eula Mae again and faces his own end. Twenty-five years later, a Black bus driver named Ray Hammond takes over the route. He encounters Eula Mae and her baby, finally setting them free.
The Conjure Brother
Josie really wanted a little brother. She hoped her mom would get pregnant by eating a lot. But her mom stayed thin. Josie then asks the town's "conjure woman" for help. The woman gives Josie specific instructions to follow. Josie doesn't follow them exactly and ends up with a big brother instead!
Boo Mama
Nealy goes missing from his mother Leddy's home. For a year, Leddy refuses to leave her house for long, hoping he will return. Nealy is found on church steps, looking well. But he speaks a strange, unknown language. He calls his favorite bear "Boo Mama," who had taken care of him.
The Gingi
Laura buys a beautiful old statue. Mrs. Aswadi, who sold it, warns her it might be evil. Mrs. Aswadi also gives Laura a special gift. This gift later helps protect Laura's family from the evil "Dabobo Woman."
The Chicken-Coop Monster
Missy stays with her grandparents. She is sure there is a monster living in their chicken coop. Missy is the president of the "Monster Watchers of America." She uses her monster-hunting rules to stay away from the scary Chicken-Coop Monster.
Main Characters in the Stories
Here are some of the important characters you will meet in each tale:
Characters in The Legend of Pin Oak
- Harper McAvoy: An enslaver and the white son of Amos McAvoy and Alva Dean.
- Henri McAvoy: The son of Amos McAvoy and Mary DuPriest.
- Charlemae: Henri's wife.
Characters in We Organized
- Massa: The enslaver.
- Ajax: An enslaved man who gains his freedom.
Characters in Justice
- Riley Holt: The wealthiest white man in Tallahatchie, Mississippi.
- Hoop Granger: A white man who accuses Alvin of a crime.
- Chief Baker: A Mississippi police officer investigating the case.
- Alvin Tinsley: A Black man blamed by Hoop Granger.
Characters in The 11:59
- Lester Simmons: An experienced Pullman car porter.
Characters in The Sight
- Amanda Mayes: Esau's mother.
- Esau Mayes: Amanda and Tall Mayes's son, born with the gift of predicting the future.
- Tall Mayes: Esau's father.
- Charity Rose: Esau's wife.
Characters in The Woman in the Snow
- Grady Bishop: A white bus driver on the "Blackbird Express" route.
- Eula Mae Daniels: A young Black mother and a ghost on the bus route.
- Ray Hammond: A Black bus driver who helps Eula Mae Daniels find peace.
Characters in The Conjure Brother
- Josie: The daughter of the Hudson family.
- JoBeth: Josie's friend.
- Arthur Lee: Josie's friend.
- Madam Zinnia: The conjure woman.
- Adam: Josie's older brother.
Characters in Boo Mama
- Leddy: An activist who moved to Orchard City, Tennessee, with her son.
- Nealy: Leddy's son, who went missing.
- Germaine: Leddy's friend.
- Sylvia: Leddy's friend.
- Boo Mama: A bear-like creature named Noss who saved Nealy's life.
- Sheriff Martin: The sheriff of Orchard City.
Characters in The Gingi
- Laura Bates: A mother who buys a mysterious sculpture.
- Lizzie: Laura's daughter, who accidentally releases the sculpture's powers.
- Mrs. Aswadi: A Ghanaian woman who sells the sculpture to Laura.
- Jack: Laura's husband.
- Thomas Lester: Laura's son.
- August: The family cat.
- The Dabobo Woman: An evil witch hidden inside the sculpture.
Characters in The Chicken-Coop Monster
- Missy: The granddaughter of Franky and James Leon Russell, and president of the Monster Watchers of America.
- Franky Russell: Missy's grandmother.
- James Leon Russell: Missy's grandfather.
- Jay: Missy's friend and a member of the Monster Watchers of America.
Awards and Recognition
The Dark-Thirty has received several important awards, showing its quality and impact:
- Newbery Medal Honor Book
- Coretta Scott King Award Winner
- ALA Notable Children's Book
- NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies
- IRA Teacher's Choice
