Novel Summary Courage to Soar and White Lilacs
To view Summary & Analysis of other novel. Click Here.
Courage to Soar Summary
Introduction:
“Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance” is an autobiographical novel written by Simone Biles. It traces the trajectory of Biles’ life, right from her childhood in foster care to her rise to international fame as an Olympic gold medalist.
About the Author:
Simone Biles (1997) is one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. She has won multiple awards in the Olympics, the year 2016 in particular. This is the sole novel she has written and is well-received by critics.
Summary:
Early Life:
The book begins with Simone Biles’ early years. It details on her time in foster care and her adoption by her grandparents. Biles talks about how her love for gymnastics began at a young age and how she managed to turn her passion into a successful career.
The Hurdles:
She then proceeds to share the struggles she faced along the way, including injuries, setbacks, and mental health challenges. She also talks about the importance of having a support system and the role that her family, coaches, and teammates played in her success.
Throughout the book, Biles, in fact, provides insights into the world of competitive gymnastics, from the gruelling training regimen to the pressure of competing on the global platform the Olympics. She also talks about her experiences with discrimination and body shaming in the sport, and how she has used her platform to speak out against these issues.
Self-Discovery:
In addition to her athletic achievements, Biles also shares her personal journey of self-discovery and growth, including her decision to speak out about her experience with sexual abuse at the hands of former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.
Conclusion:
“Courage to Soar” is a powerful story of resilience, determination, and courage. It aims to inspire one to pursue their dreams and aspirations come what may. It thus provides one with, as the title aptly puts "courage to soar".
White Lilacs Summary
Introduction:
“White Lilacs” is a novel written by Carolyn Meyer. Published in 1993, the story is set in Texas during the early 20th century and centres around segregation and the struggles of the African American community.
About the Author:
Carolyn Meyer (1935) is a renowned American novelist. She writes books for children and young adults. Famous works of hers include "White Lilacs", "Mary, Bloody Mary", and "Doomed Queen Anne".
Theme:
The predominant theme of this book is discrimination. Based on true events and persons, racial discrimination is well brought out through the tale of Rose Lee Jefferson. The resilience of the Black Community can also be observed to be a major theme in the novel.
Summary:
The novel revolves around a young girl named Rose Lee Jefferson, who is the protagonist. She hails from a family of sharecroppers and lives on a farm owned by a wealthy white family. The story captures how, despite the segregation laws prevalent at that time, Rose Lee’s mother encourages her to pursue her education all the same. Rose Lee, in fact, rises to become the first African American child to attend the town’s white school, being a girl no less.
Rose Lee’s presence at the school causes tension and controversy, leading to protests, riots and even violence. However, Rose Lee breaks down racial barriers through her sheer determination and perseverance to succeed and her ability to win over some of her classmates.
The novel then traces the tragedy of Rose Lee's growth. It brings out how she eventually becomes involved in the civil rights movement and helps to organize several protests and demonstrations. Along the way, she even experiences personal tragedy and loss, but never loses her commitment to fighting for equality and justice.
Conclusion:
"White Lilacs" provides a powerful insight into the struggles of the African American community during a time of extreme inequality and discrimination. Through the journey of Rose Lee’s life story, one is able to witness the courage and resilience of those who fought for civil rights and paved the way for a more just and equal society.
