Jean C. Thomson
Last Updated on June 7, 2022, by eNotes Editorial. Word Count: 160
Edgar Allan is a success for many reasons, and one of them is that it describes an adult failure, a rare occurrence in children's books…. Michael's credible narrative is touching in its harsh examination of his father's Christianity and its criticism of [his sister]. Edgar Allan himself, sweet, bright, mute in his own defense, is innocent of any fault save his skin color, but his symbolic presence provides a test which the family has failed. Such irony, perhaps, will not touch children at first, but this book about a family on trial is one to save and to share and perhaps to discuss; certainly its reflection of reality will be noted and praised by the young people who read it.
Jean C. Thomson, "The Book Review: 'Edgar Allan'," in School Library Journal, an appendix to Library Journal (reprinted from the December, 1968 issue of School Library Journal, published by R. R. Bowker Co./A Xerox Corporation: copyright © 1968), Vol. 15, No. 4, December, 1968, p. 47.
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