Hush

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Woodson, Jacqueline. 2002. Hush. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN 9780399231148

PLOT SUMMARY

Toswiah Green, or is it Evie Thomas, isn’t sure of anything anymore. Taken from the only life she ever knew, Hush tells Evie’s story of adjustment from her familiar, comfortable life in Denver to her new, secretive life in a new place.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Hush by African-American author Jacqueline Woodson combines elements of mystery and uncertainty as she describes the major changes the Green (now Thomas) family undergoes.

Woodson uses the prologue, written in third person, to introduce the reader to the Green family—the way they were before. Woodson takes care to thoroughly describe Mama: “dark brown fingers” and “Chocolate. Dark wool. The smell of earth. Trees” (pp. 1-2). The daughters’ copper skin is comparably lighter, although not as light at their father’s skin. Woodson’s detail of skin tone gives the characters more individuality than just informing the reader that they are African American.

Woodson later incorporates descriptions of the sisters’ hair: in a braid because it is “kinky enough to stay braided without any elastics or barrettes” (p. 60). The author respectfully depicts the physical features of her main characters.

The occupations held by the Green parents—police officer and teacher—are realistic and authentic. They live in suburban Denver, so the family’s jobs, schools, hobbies, and home complement them.

Woodson also incorporates the interaction between characters of different races. In fact, that element is a major factor in the relocation of the family. At first glance, the story appears to develop as a war against the races. In fact, it is a war between right and wrong in the pursuit of justice.

Frequent flashbacks allow two stories to be told—the Green family’s life in Denver and the Thomas’ life in their new home. Flashbacks also allow the reader to compare the habits, freedoms, and personalities of the characters as situations change.

Woodson illustrates Denver, the Green’s original home, with great detail: “the moon is bright yellow, the sky blue-black, the shadows that are the Rocky Mountains” and “the scent of pine and cedar and air that is warm still” (p. 4). The new location, with its name unrevealed, often gets described as cool in temperature (warmer than Denver’s physical temperature but colder in spirit) with gray skies.

The family depicted in the book may or may not be a “typical” African American family. That is the point of the novel. Officer Green says it best, “Blood’s the same color no matter who it’s flowing through” (p. 50). This family is close—sometimes closer than desired. They love each another with a deep, matchless love. They work through trials together. One parent does not have more say than the other to begin with. When the dad shuts down, Mama leads the family for survival’s sake with her newfound religion.

Throughout the story, situations cause the reader to consider how he or she would respond to the same situation. If you witnessed the murder of a teenager of your race by two officers of a different race, would you assume the situation became about race? Was it an accident? How can you bring about justice? If you had to live in a brand new town and pretend to be a completely different person, how would you respond? Which character best reflects you if you were in this situation?

Written with diary-like truth, Woodson follows the characters through physical, social, and most impactful, emotional changes in the rewrite of the Thomas’ lives.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS

“Woodson shows that while Evie's situation is extreme, everyone has to leave home and come to terms with many shifting identities.” --Starred review, Booklist, January 2002

ALSC American Library Association, Great Middle School Reads, 2004

YALSA Best Book for Young Adults, 2003

CONNECTIONS

Where am I?

Using the descriptions given in the book, decide where the Green/Thomas family moved. Make a travel brochure giving information about the characteristics and features of this location. While there is not necessarily one correct answer, you must be able to justify your choice with text evidence.

Comparing Apples to…um, the same apple

Each member of the family underwent some pretty significant changes. Create a trifold paper doll chain to document (with text evidence and citations) the changes of one member of the family at the beginning, middle, and end of the situation (not necessarily the B,M,E of the book).

Witness Protection Program

Working with a partner, imagine that an event occurs that requires your partner to enter the Witness Protection Program. Write a diary about how his/her life was turned upside down. Include information leading up to his/her relocation, his/her new home, and how he/she acclimated to the new environment. Use the diary as the narration for a play-acted “movie of the week” which will be performed for the class.