28 pages • 56 minutes read
The Gold Cadillac
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Book Brief
48
Novella • Fiction
United States • 1950s
1987
Middle grade
8-12 years
650L
Super Short Summary
In The Gold Cadillac by Mildred D. Taylor, a young Black girl named ’lois narrates her family's journey from Ohio to Mississippi in her father's new gold Cadillac, encountering institutional racism and racial segregation in the Jim Crow South. The family faces conflicts both within their household and with the external racist policing and societal structures they confront. The novella discusses the lynching of Black Americans and portrays a young girl's experiences with racial segregation and racist policing.
Challenging
Emotional
Contemplative
Inspirational
Heartwarming
Reviews & Readership
1,821 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Mildred D. Taylor's The Gold Cadillac is praised for its powerful exploration of racial issues and its poignant, compelling narrative. Readers appreciate its historical context and relatable characters. However, some critiques mention its brevity limits deeper character development. Overall, it is a highly regarded work for both younger audiences and adults.
Who Should Read The Gold Cadillac?
Fans of moving family narratives and historical fiction focusing on African American experiences, as seen in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor and One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia, will appreciate The Gold Cadillac's themes of racial injustice and familial strength during the 1950s.
1,821 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Daddy (Wilbert)
Daddy (Wilbert)
’Lois’s father, whose aspiration to achieve the American dream leads him to make significant choices that impact the family, while also explaining and guiding ’Lois through complex social realities.
Mother (Dee)
Mother (Dee)
’Lois’s mother, described as a strong and caring figure within the family who supports their goals and maintains stability, including during times of conflict.
Wilma
Wilma
’Lois’s sister, who shares experiences with ’Lois throughout the story, often following her sister’s lead and being a companion during their shared journey.
48
Novella • Fiction
United States • 1950s
1987
Middle grade
8-12 years
650L
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