In this supernatural historical mystery, twelve-year-old Bone possesses a Gift that allows her to see the stories in everyday objects. When she receives a note that says her mother's Gift killed her, Bone seeks to unravel the mysteries of her mother's death, the schisms in her family, and the Gifts themselves.
In a southern Virginia coal-mining town in 1942, Bone Phillips has just reached the age when most members of her family discover their Gift. Bone has a Gift that disturbs her; she can sense stories when she touches an object that was important to someone. She sees both sad and happy--the death of a deer in an arrowhead, the pain of a beating in a baseball cap, and the sense of joy in a fiddle. There are also stories woven into her dead mama's butter-yellow sweater--stories Bone yearns for and fears. When Bone receives a note that says her mama's Gift is what killed her, Bone tries to uncover the truth. Could Bone's Gift do the same? Here is a beautifully resonant coming-of-age tale about learning to trust the power of your own story.
on Booklist Online:"..Smibert surrounds Bone with a loving, complicated extended family and gives her plot just enough heft for both realism and reader engagement. The coal-field setting is particularly well-drawn, with details such as children at play sliding down a slag heap instead of a snowdrift. Feed-sack dresses aren’t a cliché here, and neither is Smibert’s language, which feels real and down-to-earth, like her characters. “The morning wore on like a sermon on a hot day...An intriguing blend of history and magic..”
on Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books:Setting and storytelling are the focus of this historical, paranormal mystery set in southern Appalachia during WWII. Bone has just come into her Gift, a power passed down from her deceased mother’s side of the family. She can see memories attached to objects she touches, and she has reason to believe there is more to her mother’s death of influenza than she has been told. When a woman from President Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration comes to gather stories from Bone’s small coal-mining town, Bone inserts herself into the process as a way to gather more information about her own past. This well-researched novel has a strong sense of place, ...The narrative includes stories from both Appalachian and Cherokee traditions (sources cited in the back matter), and offers complex perspectives on child labor, duty, and the effects illness and war had on rural communities. This trilogy starter is recommended for classroom teachers trying to bring a time and place to life
on School Library Journal:Starred Review!
....This mystical mystery makes good use of its World War II backdrop,..It also effectively evokes the Appalachian culture with written dialect and cultural emphasis on storytelling that'll snag even history-resistant readers. Readers will definitely invest in Bone's journey with her mama's butter yellow sweater, trusting it will lead her to the answers she desires--a truth that'll change just about everything....
on VOYA:...The narrative has the feel of the Appalachian folktales that the protagonist loves so much, with a mix of realism and magic. Smibert weaves the folktales intricately into the story, helping Bone learn and understand her gift, her family, and herself. Throughout her journey, Bone experiences grief and abuse and witnesses the racism of the 1940s. VERDICT An enjoyable read, especially for fans of Ingrid Law’s Savvy who are looking for a story with a slower pace and a simpler plot line. Middle graders won’t want Bone’s story to end
Part fantasy, part mystery, and part history, Smibert’s Bone’s Gift will have broad appeal. The descriptive writing makes it easy to imagine living in a coal-mining town in WWII-era Virginia. It is clear that Smibert conducted thorough research to create a realistic setting. The plot moves smoothly and follows a mostly direct timeline, peppered with some flashbacks. ... Fans of cozy mysteries and time travel will enjoy this book. Purchase this for libraries with a large mystery fan base.
Book Talk! (in Adobe Spark)
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Other Activities and Lesson Plans
- Appalachian Folklore in Bone’s Gift (written by professor Tina Hanlon of Ferrum University)
- Your Family Tree Activity –
students get to explore Bone’s family and fill out their own family tree. (PDF) - Bone’s Gift – an Appalachian storytelling game. A printable card game that teaches storytelling skills.
- (Ghost) Stories of Ordinary Objects Activity – object (photos) prompts and mini-lesson plan for story writing.
