James McBride Books

The Color of Water by James McBride is a memoir that tells the story of the author's mother, a white Jewish woman who married a black man in 1942. The book explores themes of race, identity, and family as it delves into the complexities of their lives and the challenges they faced. It is a powerful and moving account of one woman's journey and the impact it had on her children.

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store (2023) is the richly-textured story of a small, diverse community centered around the Jewish-owned Heaven and Earth Grocery store in Pottstown Pennsylvania in the 20s and 30s, and of the big events – love, death, murder, kidnapping – that mark the lives of the people connected to it.

Song Yet Sung by James McBride is a historical novel set in pre-Civil War Maryland. It tells the story of a young escaped slave named Liz Spocott who has the ability to see the future. As she is pursued by a notorious slave catcher, the novel explores themes of freedom, survival, and the resilience of the human spirit.

The Good Lord Bird by James McBride is a captivating novel that tells the story of a young boy named Henry Shackleford who becomes a member of abolitionist John Brown's motley crew. Set against the backdrop of pre-Civil War America, this book offers a unique blend of history and humor as it explores themes of freedom, identity, and the fight against injustice.

The Color of Water is a memoir by James McBride that tells the story of his mother, Ruth McBride, a white Jewish woman who married a black man in 1942, an act that was illegal at the time. The book explores themes of race, identity, and family as McBride uncovers his mother's past and reflects on his own upbringing. It is a powerful and moving account of one woman's journey and the impact it had on her children.