Mustard Seed (Yellow Crocus) Paperback – November 7, 2017

I thought Laila’s first book might have been a fluke because it was so good, and I cautiously bought book #2. I’m so engrossed in these books that I am transported by time. I love the families and the way their stories intersect. I have SO many books to read, but here I am.. moving on to book #3, because I know it will be fantastic!

Firstly I must admit that 'Yellow Crocus' is one of my favourite books from a lifetime of being an avid reader. I smiled and cried with Mattie and Lisbeth, as they formed a loving and complicated relationship in a time of great cruelty and injustice in the American South. They had become like dear friends by time I finished reading that book.Perhaps, my expectations were too high when I began this sequel. It is a story covering a much larger landscape and highlighting far more characters. Sometimes the long list of landowners and slaves became confusing; especially as some shared the same name or had several different names. It is beautifully written, as only Laila Ibrahim can write; but I missed the intimacy of the previous novel. The historical setting, at a time when America was supposed to be a Union and all slaves freed, was drawn with stark realism. Laws can be promulgated, but the implementation of those laws rely on the adherence of the public officials and leaders. I did not realize that even after the abolition of slavery some landowners in the South still kept men and women in conditions of cruel slavery. I learned a great deal about the plight of the black and coloured population in the Southern States from this book. I was horrified by their treatment and sickened by a situation of children left hopelessly adrift with no means of uniting with their families.This story was fascinating and appealed to me intellectually; whereas Yellow Crocus moved me emotionally. I would definitely recommend reading the latter before reading this book. The relationship between Mattie and Lisbeth requires understanding to avoid reader confusion.

I AM THERE. It’s difficult for me to describe my feelings right now, what is possessing my mind as I begin this novel. The characters, good or not-so-good, have in a few moments become intimate friends. And I am THERE, in 1868 America, experiencing the inner lives of former slaves, their children and families, and the inner lives of honest and caring people with no slavery background but life-forming connections.ALTERNATING FIRST PERSON, THIRD PERSON narration blends into an easy flow, keeping me present with the characters. I've rarely felt so much a part of folks like these and cheering for them, even praying for them. I know that sounds weird since they're fictitious; and if not fictional, they're no longer living. But yes, they are living in today's world and folks.CARING ABOUT THE CHARACTERS. Jordan Freedman, 19 years old, is a teacher in a racially diverse one-room elementary school. Her family'a heritage is being slaves. You got to love her and sympathize with her devotion to her students: “God, help me to be a worthy guide for these hearts, souls, and minds. Amen.”Lisbeth, 30-years-old, was born into the privileged class in the antebellum South fo slave-owners. Her beloved nurse from babyhood is Mattie, Jordan’s mother. All these women develop a bond deeper than just being friends. But that bond is tested when Lisbeth returns to her former home, a plantation in Virginia. There she faces smothering animosity from her Confederate family who feel she betrayed them by marrying an abolitionist.TENSE AND TENDER PLOT. So too Jordan and her mother Mattie return to their former home. They want to save their family who still are being oppressed by their former owners and other whites. Will young Jordan and Mattie be able to bring some liberation for their beloved family? This is both a tense and tender novel as both families seek to come to terms with the past and free themselves from lingering hatred and present fractures.The author writes from her in-depth research plus her own background as founder and director of Woolsey Children’s School. Both her heart and experience enrich this amazing story she shares. I’m sure this book's people will invade my emotions for many years to come, as it likely will yours. I look forward to reading more books by this very human and skilled author.

I took my time reading this book, it is a lot to think about. It really pains me that there were so many white people who thought that they were so much smarter and better than the colored (and I do not mean that negatively) people around them! I am personally appalled at the people in my own race to know how others were treated!This book had me come face to face with what went on during this time period, and all I could think was that I wanted to be Lisbeth and Matthew’s family! To have friends like Mattie and her family, who were closer than Lisbeth’s own family, to them. This is what a family should be!I really loved this book and highly recommend it!!

Well written but not easy to follow at the beginning until you get familiar with the names ofvthe protagonists. Suspense and deep emotions are expressed with clarity and vividly. Hard to put down before the ending.

Excellent portrayal of how difficult it was post Civil War. Free but not really. So many psychological wounds for everyone

How does a man leave society and live in the woods away from other people? Michael Finkel relates the story of Christopher Knight who walks away from his family and everything in his life to live in the Maine woods. There was no traumatic incident or tragedy to cause him to just walk away.Christopher Knight is an intelligent man. He breaks into summer cabins along the lakes to replenish his supplies. However, he doesn't destroy anything . Knight is arrested after he breaks into a camp for disadvantaged children. He is actually a nice person. He just doesn't like being around people.This is an interesting read. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the study of psychology and human nature.

This book was referred to me by my mother & I’m so glad I read it! Such wonderful words but sad realityIt really did come off the page & touch my heart