Product Description

When Leroy Redfield starts taking her momma dancing, Jolene won't call him anything but Mister. Without a name, he can't really be a whole person to her. The last thing she wants is somebody coming along trying to fill the space her daddy left when he died. But then Jolene learns that big, loud Mister wants to marry Momma, and when she gets the chance to hurt him, she acts. What will Momma do when she finds out? And will she marry Mister anyway? Kimberly Willis Holt has written a poignant, humorous story about change and acceptance, and a little girl who ultimately gives name to what she wants most.

Product Details

• Published on: 2002-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Turtleback

From Publishers Weekly
Holt (My Louisiana Sky) returns to Louisiana for this touching slice of life in a 1940 mill town. Young Jolene Jasmine Johnson can't change certain things about her world, like having to sit in the rear balcony at the movie theater, and acting polite to "Miz" Logan, the mill owner's wife for whom Jolene's mother sews dresses. But the outspoken heroine believes that she can keep things happy at home. That is, until logger Leroy Redfield, a man "dark as a starless night, tall and thick as a long-leaf pine tree," comes courting her widowed mother. Holt handily employs Jolene's first-person narration to focus more on the music of Louis Armstrong, community dances and family life than on societal clashes; the warmth and love in the Johnson household envelops the novel. The author balances Jolene's blatant displays of resentment toward her mother's beau (at one point, she cuts up the expensive fabric he has bought for Jolene's mother) with patience and tolerance from Leroy ("plain Mister" as Jolene calls him), and he eventually secures his future stepdaughter's trust. Jolene's acceptance of her mother's upcoming marriage comes gradually and convincingly, and her willingness to face the uncertainties of her future may well give courage to readers confronting sea changes of their own. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ages 7-11.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6-In this touching short novel set in a 1940s logging community, Jolene Jasmine Johnson is perfectly content with her close little family made up of just herself, Momma, and Grandpa. Then along comes Mister Leroy Redfield, a logger who spoils everything by distracting her mother and wheedling his way into the family with his charm. Although she has no memory of her father, the girl clings to the idea of him, providing her with one more reason to resent the newcomer's intrusion. Despite her efforts to make Mister disappear, Jolene's misdeeds only seem to strengthen his resolve to win her approval and become a permanent fixture in her life. Separate seating areas in the movie theater and her mother's part-time work sewing for white women make it clear that the story takes place in a racially segregated town, but these references are not fully explained. The focus of the story is Jolene's emotional growth and her eventual acceptance of this man whose love and patience allow her to expand her notion of family. Too bad this slim title may fall prey to that ever-important criteria of a requisite number of pages so valued by some teachers.
Lynda Short, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Lexington, KY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Kimberly Willis Holt is the author of My Louisiana Sky and the winner of the 1999 National Book Award, When Zachary Beaver Came to Town.

Customer Reviews

Mister and Me
This story mostly takes place in a house.It really gets good in the middle.This book is very good.I would give it 5 thumbs up.So if you ever buy this book I'm sure that you'll like just as much as I did.The main character of this story is Loriline.One thing I know will catch your mind is when the mother gets married so go buy this book.

kevin from richview middle school
This story is about this little girl named Jolene.The main characters in the story are Jolene, Mr.Autry, Ruby ,Florence, Mr.LeroyRedfiled. Jolene is the little girl who tells the story Rubyis Mrs.Florence date that Jolene dosen't like.The book starts with this girl farther died of a heart attack , so she dosen't let nobody get ciose to her morther. The problem of the story is that Mrs.Flornea has a date and her daugther doesn't like it so that makes it a problem.The exciting part this story is when Jolene and Ruby get together and have a good time.The story ends with Jolene mother getting married to Ruby and they live happliy ever after.

Mister and Me--review by Keelan
The book that I read was Mister and Me by Kimberly Willis Holt. The book is set in the 1860's in Louisianna.

The main characters are Jolene, Mom, and Leroy. Jolene is a little girl who, if she doesn't get her way, has a temper tantrum. Mom is an attractive young woman with long wavy hair. Leroy is a big tall dark man who really eats a lot. He has a good heart and he is always in a good mood.

The setting is in a small town that is always windy and sunny. Most of the activities occur in their small home or outside chopping wood. Sometimes Leroy cooks for them and he is also dating Mom.

The historical time period is the 1860's in the American South.

The central theme of the book is that you can get mad about separation and then you can get ok with it after a while.

The story was a children's book and you have to look through the eyes of an 11-year old girl to understand.

I would not want to recommend this book because it wanders off too much and overdoes the problem with Mom.