Jo Joe
Sally Wiener Grotta, 2013
Pixie Hall Press
312 pp.
ISBN-13: 9780988387119 (paperback); 9780988387157 (ebook)
Summary
Jo Joe is a mystery of the heart about Judith Ormand who learned hate and bigotry early in life. As a child, she was the only Black—and the only Jew—in a small insular mountain village where she was raised by her white Christian grandparents. Now, she must reluctantly break her vow to never return to the town she learned to hate.
During her one week visit, she buries and mourns her beloved grandmother, is forced to deal with the white boy who cruelly broke her heart, and is menaced by an old enemy. But with her traumatic discovery of a long buried secret, Judith finds more questions than answers about the prejudice that scarred her childhood. (From the publisher.)
Read an excerpt.
Author Bio
Whether she is writing books or taking photographs, Sally Wiener Grotta is the consummate storyteller. Her words and pictures reflect her deep humanism and appreciation for the poignancy of life. As an award-winning, internationally respected journalist, she has authored literally many hundreds of articles, columns and reviews for scores of glossy magazines, newspapers and online publications, plus numerous non-fiction books. Her features, columns, reviews and books are marked by a narrative style that entertains as well as informs.
Having traveled on assignment throughout the world to all continents (including three visits to Antarctica) and numerous exotic islands (such as Papua New Guinea), Sally’s work has appeared a wide range of publications including: Woman’s Day, American Heritage, Islands, The Robb Report, Popular Science, and others.
Her numerous non-fiction books were published by John Wiley, McGraw-Hill and other major houses. Her short fiction has appeared in The North Atlantic Review. She is also the photographer/storyteller behind the widely acclaimed American Hands narrative portrait project (www.AmHands.com), which has received over three dozen grants and other honors.
Jo Joe is Sally’s first novel; her next one The Winter Boy will be published by Pixel Hall Press in the last quarter of 2013.
Sally Wiener Grotta is a popular speaker on the business and art of writing at conferences and other events, as well as on photography and the traditional tradespeople of American Hands. Sally welcomes invitations to participate in discussions with book clubs (sometimes in person, more often via Skype or phone), and to do occasional readings. To arrange a discussion, please visit Sally's website—where you can also connect with her through Facebook, Twitter and Linked in. (From the publisher.)
Book Reviews
The book is too new to have been reviewed by mainstream press. The publishers have sent the following samples of reader reviews found online.
Brilliant!... Skillfully woven.
Peter Simpson
Thought provoking and inspiring.
Margo Crispino Azzarelli
A riveting read. Astute, psychologically believable and movin
Rabbi Peg Kershenbaum
I read it through in a single sitting.... masterfully developed. –
Professor Claire Herschfeld
Storytelling at its Best! This is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time.
Dottie Resnick
Beautifully written prose with a compelling style, emotional descriptions hit with a visceral punch, and stay long after the book is shelved.
Gaele Hince
Ultimately, this fine book, with its deliciously descriptive passages of life on the Schmoyer farm and suspense simmering throughout each page, is quite interesting to read.
Joanne Manuel
Engaging… both simple & complex… brought me to tears…. A page turner for sure.
L.E. Ryan
Heartwarming, sad, insightful, and encouraging.
Pat Viera
So realistic. I couldn't stop reading—I needed to know how it ended.
Bonnie Fladung
Discussion Questions
1. Is there a difference between prejudice and bigotry?
2. Do you know anyone of mixed race and/or religion? How do you think their lives are different?
3. Do you think Joe made the right choice when they were children? Why?
4. If Joe and Judith had married, would it have lasted? Why? What do you think their life together would have been like?
5. [spoiler] Why didn't Joe become like his father and brother? Is bigotry and hatred inherited?
6. Would the story have been different if they had gone to high school today rather than 20 years ago? In what way?
7. Would the story have been different if it had been before or after President Obama's election? In what way?
8. Does being black affect Judith's Judaism? Does being Jewish affect her heritage as a black woman?
9. How would Judith's life have been different if she had been raised a Christian?
10. What do you honestly think of the grandmother? In what ways was she right and/or wrong?
(Questions issued by the publisher.)