The Color of Water by James McBride


Book description
James McBride grew up one of twelve siblings in the all-black housing projects of Red Hook, Brooklyn, the son of a black minister and a woman who would not admit she was white. The object of McBride’s constant embarrassment and continuous fear for her safety, his mother was an inspiring figure, who through sheer force of will saw her dozen children through college, and many through graduate school. McBride was an adult before he discovered the truth about his mother: the daughter of a failed itinerant Orthodox rabbi in rural Virginia, she had run away to Harlem, married a black man, and founded an all-black Baptist church in her living room in Red Hook. In her son’s remarkable memoir, she tells in her own words the story of her past. Around her narrative, James McBride has written a powerful portrait of growing up, a meditation on race and identity, and a poignant, beautifully crafted hymn from a son to his mother. Published in 1996; 228 pages.
Description from book jacket

Research the author and the book using library resources
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Discussion questions
The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother discussion questions from the publisher
The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother discussion questions from Springfield City Library


Additional information
"James McBride Bio" is available on the author's website.
"James McBride Stays In Tune" An interview with James McBride by Dave Weich, Powell's bookstore.
An archived online chat session with James McBride is available from The African American Literature Book Club.
A family tree, character descriptions, a summary, and curriculum information are available from One Book, One Philadelphia.


Readalikes
Life on the Color Line by Gregory Williams
All Over But the Shoutin’ by Rick Bragg
The House on Childress Street by Kenji Jasper
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less by Terry Ryan