Product Description

Swept away by the illusions of romance, Talley Barbour, a black high school student, falls for a devastatingly handsome white classmate.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1369345 in Books
• Published on: 1998-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 191 pages

From Publishers Weekly
When Talley's high school buses in whites, she finds herself drawn into a labyrinth of drugs, heavy metal and sexual attraction. "A sad but resoundingly effective story," said PW. Ages 13-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 8 Up Hamilton's novel works on at least five levels: within the personality of the protagonist, within her immediate circle, within her setting of school and neighborhood, between her world and the intrusive white world, and between the novel and the reader, especially if that reader is unfamiliar with the details of black urban American life. Talley's formerly all-black high school has been converted to an integrated magnet school for the entire district. This means an influx of white students. The culture shock is immediate and prolonged. Add to the mix drugs, heavy metal rock, Talley's struggles to establish her own values, and an almost unbearable level of adolescent sexual tension, and you have a very potent brew indeed. Talley and her circle of friends are effectively portrayed: Didi, her white best friend, hopelessly involved with Roady, who is crippled both in mind and body through drug use; David, his dealer, who now has his eye on Talley; and Victor, who is attempting to save her from her fixation on David. The setting of school corridors, city streets, and a rock concert right out of Hieronymous Bosch is equally real. The use of black English throughout may be a challenge to some readers, but is well worth the effort, since the book would be weakened in any other idiom. Not a happy book, but a vivid, even surrealistic and insightful depiction of painful relationships. Barbara Hutcheson, Greater Victoria Public Library, B.C., Canada
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Virginia Hamilton’s books, which combined African-American and Native American lore with contemporary stories and characters, are memorable not only for their inventiveness and rich characterizations, but also for their ability to evoke a wide variety of times, places, and historical figures.

Customer Reviews

child no longer
Personally, I loved this book. Poor Talley falling for the bad boy. come on, girls, you know the old story. You say no, your heart says yes, you fight it it til you give in. It's love, it's life. It's crazy. It's real. It raises many new questions also in the readers mind about the skin their in, the life they lead, the lovers they have . . . . If you were Talley, you would fall to for the David with charms until you grow up and see the true thing-Victor Davis in this case-to be for you. :))

It was a well written book.
This book is a wonderfully written book. Its realsim is astonishing.I recommend this book highly.

Good Book
A White Romance by Virginia Hamilton is about a black girl (Talley) who goes to an all black school called Colonel Glenn High until they start busing in white students. Talley doesn't think anything will change drastically, but she is so very wrong. Talley meets Didi, a white girl who becomes her best friend. Didi is dating Roady, a black boy, and Talley has her eyes on a white boy named David. Although Victor is in love with her, she won't have anyone but David. Didi tries to tell Talley she doesn't love David, but she decides not to listen until things take a turn for the worst.

I thought this book was very good and it teaches a lot of good lessons. The text was a little confusing at times, but other than that, I really enjoyed the book. I'd say it's a pretty easy read.