Fishing Day

This story was very different than many stories that I have read in the past. In this story, it takes place during the Jim Crow days, where whites and blacks were separate. What stood out to me was how the main character Reenie and her mother were the ones that enjoyed fishing. I feel like normally, the men are the ones that like to fish, so I thought that was really cool. On top of that, I loved how even though blacks and whites were supposed to mind each others business, Reenie decided to reach out and help the boy Peter (who was white) catch a fish. To me, that shows that friendship and kindness knows no color.

Reenie and her mother love to spend time along the banks of the river, slowly, methodically bringing the fish to them. Catching them is fun. In the deep south, Jim Crow laws are enforced and white folk don't mingle or share with black folk.

When Reenie notices that a white man and his son are having a difficult time catching fish, Reenie hopes the young man will set aside his pride and fear and will allow her to show him how to catch food.

Reenie's mother told her that they fish for fun, but sadly, the white boy and father fish because they need the food. When the young man allows Reenie to show him her tricks, racial barriers come down and kindness shines through.

On Saturdays, Reenie goes fishing with her mom. On this particular day, she learns about how Jim Crow still keeps people separate. When the chance arises, she takes a chance and shares her fishing secret with a white boy who desperately needs some fish, and she makes a new friend in the process. To me, this book teaches about segregation and shares a message of mercy, generosity, and hope, on a kid level.

I had mixed feelings about the book “Fishing Day” by Andrew Davis Pinkney. One aspect I did not like was the writing. The book was very long and I think children would become bored with the book. Another reason I did not like the writing was because of the wording. “Today the carp aren’t taking up our bait. ‘Not even a nibble,’ I say. ‘Patience, Reenie,’ Mama says softly. ‘Fish can be finicky at the start.’” I think that children will not be able to understand what is going on because of the words that are being used. One aspect I did like was the plot. The book starts off as Reenie and her mom waking up and getting reading to go fishing, they then go to the pond. They eventually meet up with two people called Mr. show more Troop and Peter. Reenie and Peter eventually become friends and Reenie shares her corn with Peter. This book shows how Reenie goes outside her shell and becomes friends with Peter. The big idea of this story is to not judge someone by the color of their skin. They can be just as nice as anyone else. show less

In the Jim Crow South, a young African-American girl decides to share the secret of her and her mother's fishing success with their needy white neighbors.

Personal Response: This was a wonderful book. I had just finished reading the biography of Claudette Colvin and this book goes with that story nicely. This book is a little bit predictable, but still good.

Library/Classroom Uses:

I would use this book in either a school library or classroom setting to introduce a unit on civil rights.

This is a book about a girl and her mother who fishing at the Jim Crow river everyday and the family the Troops who also go fishinf at the same river. Reenie does not like the little boy. Reenie and her mother are African American and the Troops are white. This book is set in the time of segregation. This is a book you can read to teach the children about sharing.