This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Dr. April Jones, PhD is native of Alabama and has worked in the social science profession for many years. She is a world traveler reaching 10 countries to present her published research and books. She was inspired to write this book at the request of her father to tell his story to children. Also, she wants everyone to know her father's story and successful outcome due to his determination as a sharecropper's child.
Reviewed by Fiona Ingram for Readers' Favorite
A Not So Easy Road: The Story of a Little Boy That Kept His Promise by April L. Jones is about a young boy called Mose Jones Jr., also known as ‘Lil' Boy’ because he seemed too small for his age. He and his family are tenant farmers, also called sharecroppers. Life involved some fun things like hunting and fishing, but also chores that Lil' Boy did not enjoy, like feeding the pigs. After that chore, Lil' Boy needs a long scrub to make sure he is really clean! Everyone has chores and when those are done, they get together as a family to eat dinner and share stories of how their day went. Lil' Boy loves school, even though the teacher, Mrs. Matthews, is strict. The children learn about different forms of government. Lil' Boy is a smart kid and asks very relevant questions that shed light on how black people are treated compared to white people. A frightening and unjust incident makes Lil' Boy decide on a course of life for him, now that he has found his role model in Martin Luther King Jr. From that moment his life is transformed, and his path is set. However, it is not an easy road to travel.
This historical story is written by the daughter of Commissioner Mose Jones Jr., a remarkable man who achieved great things by believing in himself, in the words of his role model Martin Luther King Jr., and in keeping his promise to himself. This is a poignant story that weaves history, true-life experiences, and some uncomfortable social and political truths together in a lovely story format that will both educate young readers as well as show them how determination and patience, a peaceful response to aggression, respect for others, and a clear focus in one young boy’s life led to great accomplishments. The author encourages young readers to set similar good goals, and offers advice, based on her father’s principles in life, to help them see their way to their own success. This is a good story for classrooms and school libraries, and teachers will find it easy to teach kids about civil rights and the right way to treat people with this shining example of one man’s life. Simple, brightly coloured illustrations enhance the narrative and young readers will enjoy picking out other details that add to the story.
