Tulsa Burning

The basic plot and main characters have been covered well in other reviews. I read this while looking for a book to assign in class, and it certainly meets most of the requirements--its good historical fiction, historically valid but still very much a book about people, relationships, anger, love, coming of age, etc. The title is, I believe, a bit misleading. Although the Tulsa Race Riots form the backdrop to one key scene, this is NOT a book about the Tulsa Race Riots. It is about race and racism, among other things, and could certainly help a young person understand the dynamics behind the riots, BUT--most of it doesn't take place in Tulsa, the story of the riot is covered in a paragraph or two, and the results of the riot are only guessed at later and indirectly. This is not a criticism of the book itself. Unlike much historical fiction for young people, TB actually does a pretty good job of letting the factual explanations flow naturally with the story and the dialogue. You don't feel as if the author is taking a break from the story to give a history lesson as is sometimes the case. There is certainly a lot to learn about both life in rural Oklahoma in the early 20th century and human nature and relationships in this well-told tale. If you are looking for a book on the riots, however, this is probably not what you have in mind

Nobe Chase's life went down the drain when he had to bury his alcoholic father. He and his mom had to sell the house and live with Sheriff Leonard in town. Nobe wasn't allowed to bring his best friend Rex, beacuse he was a dog. The Sheriff shot Rex which started the hatred toward the Sheriff. Nobe gets a job at the local cafe washing dishes. Nobe then started to see his friend Isaac Mitchell and Isaac's mom Mrs. Mitchell to get advise. Isaac and his mom were black and not liked very well. Isaac was out of college and lived in Tulsa, and his father, Lester Cotton, is the cook for the cafe where nobe worked. A riot broke out in Tulsa and Isaac got hurt. Nobe and Lester went to save Isaac. When they got back, the sheriff arrested Isaac for "his own protection" the sheriff handed Isaac over to the KKK, who planned to hang him. Nobe overheard what was giong to happen so he saved Isaac. It hooked me right away and kept me going, so i give it 4 stars. It was based on true events in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It talks about how racism effected people, and how hard it was to make a living, and it was back when the automobile was invented.

"Nobe" (Noble) Chase doesn't think much. He certainly doesn't feel noble. When his Pa's around, he's just someone to hit. When Pa's out drinking the proceeds from their farm away, Nobe's stealing coins from the payphones with a key he's copied from the telephone employee's original. Then Pa dies. Nobe's glad. He's not going to be hit on anymore. But he's sad for Ma, too. They can't keep their farm. Nobe and his Ma have to move into town, away from Nobe's home and the colored friends he's made down the road, Mrs. Mitchell and her son, Isaac. Nobe quickly learns that Sheriff Leonard who takes them in is not a good man, either. When the Sheriff shoots Nobe's dog, Rex, instead of allowing the animal to come live with them in town, Nobe swears everlasting hatred and revenge on the man. Nobe's also worried that the Sheriff is looking too closely at his Ma. Ma admits, she'd marry the Sheriff when his invalid wife dies, but Nobe thinks Sheriff Leonard might just be meaner than his Pa. Nobe's friend, Isaac, comes back into town from his job in Tulsa and teaches Nobe how to drive his new car. Isaac works on a section of town called Black Wall Street and he's doing right well--enough to buy both him and his Mama new motorcars and his Mama (Mrs. Mitchell) a victrola. When Preacher Johnson returns with tales of the Tulsa race riots, Noble borrows the preacher's car to go get Isaac, who the preacher saw being injured. There's more, but telling more would spoil the ending. The author has taken a little-known event and turned it into a memorable tale of nobility and kindness. Within 150 short pages, Noble Chase's character grows by leaps and bounds as we see a bit of painful history that some folks meant to never see the light of day.

It is 1921 in Wekiwa, Oklahoma and life has been hard for 15 year-old Nobe Chase. He lost his father, his home and his dog Rex, who was his best friend. Worst of all, he had to move with his mother to live with Sheriff Leonard --- dog killer, wife stealer and secret lawbreaker --- and he doesn't think it's fair at all. Ever since that day, he's been determined to get revenge. While living with the Leonards, he gets a job as a dishwasher at a local cafe working with the new cook, Lester Cotton. Hate begins to take over his life, burning inside him uncontrollably. Sheriff Leonard is very mean to Nobe, who is determined to teach him a lesson. However, he can't understand why his best friend Issac is hated just because of the color of his skin. One day Nobe learns how awful hate can be when he discovers that Issac was involved in a race riot and is seriously injured. Nobe is determined to bring him back home and asks Lester Cotton, also Issac's father, to go with him. He does so reluctantly and they both save Issac's life. The next day, however, Issac is arrested because of his involvement with the death of a young girl. Nobe knows it was an accident, but some people in the town, including Sheriff Leonard, are still affected by the riots in Tulsa and they plan to kill Issac. Will Nobe be able to save his life once again, or will Issac be killed for an accidental crime? This powerful book of a boy who must struggle with his past and find the courage and strength to break free from the cycle of hatred and abuse will captivate, move and inspire readers. If I were Nobe, I would have tried to run away from home. If you like reading moving books, read this one to find out if Nobe's life will be changed forever. --- Reviewed by Ashley Hartlaub

Tulsa Burning is the story of a young boy, Nobe,who grows up on a farm and does not have a very good home life. His father is a drunk and is always off spending the little money his family has and then comes home to abuse him and his mother. This is the start of the over all theme of this book which is dealing with hate taking over peoples lives. Nobe's father eventually dies and his mother is forced to leave the farm and move in with the town sheriff and his dying wife. Nobe does not want to live with the sherrif and when he refuses to go the sherrif shoots his dog, escallating the hate with in Nobe. This story is also about the true event of Tulsu Oklahoma breaking out in a race riot and the eventual burning of the African-American portion of Tulsa. This just re-inforces the hate theme that is going on throughout the book. This story takes place after the slaves were free but before equal rights and Nobe has a friend that is African-American and living in Tulsa when the riots break out. Nobe hears that his friend has been hurt and rushes to Tulsa to try and save his friend. This is the climax of the story and from here Nobe begings to come to the realization of what hate can do to a persons life when it consumes it. Over all an excellent read and I would highly reccommend it.