Produktdetaljer
Biografisk notat
Debra J Stone writes essays, poetry, and fiction. She received a 2023–25 Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship in Literature and the 2023 Loft Mirrors and Windows Fellowship for writing books for BIPOC children and young adults. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and her Australian cattle dog, Ruby. Find her online at debrajeannestone.com or on Instagram @debra2036.
<p>"<i>The House on Rondo</i> brings Minnesota history to life, revealing long-hidden truths about our collective past. Through young Zenobia, we see and experience the vibrance of Rondo, the thriving neighborhood of Black homeowners and businesses that was destroyed to build I-94 between Minneapolis and Saint Paul. For many, this might be the first time they encounter the story of Rondo, and I couldn't think of a better way to introduce this chapter of our history to readers of all ages. Debra J Stone's book is a love letter to Rondo, an ode to the strength and vitality of Black communities, and a gift to Minnesotans and to readers everywhere who are willing to look their own messy history in the eye - and learn from it in order to fight for a better world." - Molly Beth Griffin, award-winning author of <i>Silhouette of a Sparrow</i></p><p>"Humans, houses, and history come alive in Debra J Stone's beautiful and personal novel, <i>The House on Rondo</i>. Stone dazzles with collected and recollected details, captivating characters, and authentic emotions. <i>The House on Rondo</i> is one of those books that stays with you. It's an act of remembering that changes how you think about people and places. It's one of those books you want everyone to read." - Michael Kleber-Diggs, author of <i>Worldly Things</i></p><p>"An essential history of community and resistance has come to life in Debra J Stone's novel about a young girl fighting to save her grandparents' home. <i>The House on Rondo</i> isn't just for kids - it's for all of us." - Shannon Gibney, author of <i>Dream Country</i></p><p>"[The House on Rondo] is significant to all who read it for uncovering a little-known piece of Black history." – <i>Booklist</i></p><p>"A heartfelt ode to Rondo's once-thriving neighborhood, this novel showcases the grief of a targeted community, and most importantly, their resilience and determination in the face of systemic injustice." – <i>Minnesota Women's Press</i></p><p>"Debra J Stone's novel weaves a tale of strength, connection, and resilience." – <i>Minnesota History Magazine</i></p><p>"Debra J. Stone's storytelling is captivating... <i>The House on Rondo</i> is a book filled with love. Community. Neighbors. People who care for each other. It is a book I encourage you to read." – <i>Reading Ahead</i></p>
A young girl reckons with the demolition of a Black Saint Paul neighborhood to make way for the Interstate in the early 1960s
When thirteen-year-old Zenobia has to leave her friends and spend the summer at Grandma’s while Mama recovers from a stroke, life seems so unfair. But then the eviction letters start arriving throughout her grandparents’ neighborhood, and white men chalk arrows to mark the gas and water lines, and a new world of unfairness unfolds before her. It’s 1963, and Zenobia’s grandparents’ house on Rondo Avenue in Saint Paul-like all the homes in this thriving Black community-is targeted for demolition to make way for the new Interstate Highway 94.
As Zenobia gradually learns about what’s planned for the Rondo neighborhood and what this means for everyone who lives there, she discovers how her story is intertwined with the history of her family, all the way back to Great Grandma Zenobia and the secrets Grandma Essie held close about the reason for her light skin. With the destruction of the neighborhood looming, Zenobia takes a stand on behalf of her community, joining her no-nonsense neighbor, onetime cowgirl Mrs. Ruby Pearl, in a protest and ultimately getting arrested. Though Zenobia is grounded for a month, her punishment seems of little consequence in comparison to what is happening all around her. Even though the demolition continues, she is proud to discover the power and connection in protesting injustice.
The House on Rondo captures the heartbreak, resistance, and resilience that marks a community sacrificed in the name of progress-a “progress” that never seems to favor Black families and neighborhoods and that haunts cities like Saint Paul to this day. As Zenobia learns what can be destroyed and what cannot, her story teaches us that joy, community, and love persist, even amid violence and loss.
Contents
Zenobia
Josephine Price
Driving to Saint Paul
Grandma Essie’s House
Horace Miller, Senior
King of the Hill
Margaret Smith
Biloxi, Mississippi, to Saint Paul, Minnesota
In Trouble
The Letter
Grandpa Joe and Zenobia
The Spirit Child
Writing Letters
Great-Grandma Zenobia Comes to Saint Paul
Grandma Essie’s Pact of Silence
Grandpa Joe at the Saint Paul Banks and Savings and Loans
Mrs. Ruby Pearl
The Sit-in
Zenobia in Trouble
News from Ruthann
Margaret and Betty
Going to the Library
The House at 841 Rondo Avenue
Ada Milton
The Party
Chocolate Annie Oakley
It Was Time to Do Better
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
References
<p>"<i>The House on Rondo</i> brings Minnesota history to life, revealing long-hidden truths about our collective past. Through young Zenobia, we see and experience the vibrance of Rondo, the thriving neighborhood of Black homeowners and businesses that was destroyed to build I-94 between Minneapolis and Saint Paul. For many, this might be the first time they encounter the story of Rondo, and I couldn't think of a better way to introduce this chapter of our history to readers of all ages. Debra J Stone's book is a love letter to Rondo, an ode to the strength and vitality of Black communities, and a gift to Minnesotans and to readers everywhere who are willing to look their own messy history in the eye - and learn from it in order to fight for a better world." - Molly Beth Griffin, award-winning author of <i>Silhouette of a Sparrow</i></p><p>"Humans, houses, and history come alive in Debra J Stone's beautiful and personal novel, <i>The House on Rondo</i>. Stone dazzles with collected and recollected details, captivating characters, and authentic emotions. <i>The House on Rondo</i> is one of those books that stays with you. It's an act of remembering that changes how you think about people and places. It's one of those books you want everyone to read." - Michael Kleber-Diggs, author of <i>Worldly Things</i></p><p>"An essential history of community and resistance has come to life in Debra J Stone's novel about a young girl fighting to save her grandparents' home. <i>The House on Rondo</i> isn't just for kids - it's for all of us." - Shannon Gibney, author of <i>Dream Country</i></p><p>"[The House on Rondo] is significant to all who read it for uncovering a little-known piece of Black history." – <i>Booklist</i></p><p>"A heartfelt ode to Rondo's once-thriving neighborhood, this novel showcases the grief of a targeted community, and most importantly, their resilience and determination in the face of systemic injustice." – <i>Minnesota Women's Press</i></p><p>"Debra J Stone's novel weaves a tale of strength, connection, and resilience." – <i>Minnesota History Magazine</i></p><p>"Debra J. Stone's storytelling is captivating... <i>The House on Rondo</i> is a book filled with love. Community. Neighbors. People who care for each other. It is a book I encourage you to read." – <i>Reading Ahead</i></p>
A young girl reckons with the demolition of a Black Saint Paul neighborhood to make way for the Interstate in the early 1960s
When thirteen-year-old Zenobia has to leave her friends and spend the summer at Grandma’s while Mama recovers from a stroke, life seems so unfair. But then the eviction letters start arriving throughout her grandparents’ neighborhood, and white men chalk arrows to mark the gas and water lines, and a new world of unfairness unfolds before her. It’s 1963, and Zenobia’s grandparents’ house on Rondo Avenue in Saint Paul-like all the homes in this thriving Black community-is targeted for demolition to make way for the new Interstate Highway 94.
As Zenobia gradually learns about what’s planned for the Rondo neighborhood and what this means for everyone who lives there, she discovers how her story is intertwined with the history of her family, all the way back to Great Grandma Zenobia and the secrets Grandma Essie held close about the reason for her light skin. With the destruction of the neighborhood looming, Zenobia takes a stand on behalf of her community, joining her no-nonsense neighbor, onetime cowgirl Mrs. Ruby Pearl, in a protest and ultimately getting arrested. Though Zenobia is grounded for a month, her punishment seems of little consequence in comparison to what is happening all around her. Even though the demolition continues, she is proud to discover the power and connection in protesting injustice.
The House on Rondo captures the heartbreak, resistance, and resilience that marks a community sacrificed in the name of progress-a “progress” that never seems to favor Black families and neighborhoods and that haunts cities like Saint Paul to this day. As Zenobia learns what can be destroyed and what cannot, her story teaches us that joy, community, and love persist, even amid violence and loss.
Contents
Zenobia
Josephine Price
Driving to Saint Paul
Grandma Essie’s House
Horace Miller, Senior
King of the Hill
Margaret Smith
Biloxi, Mississippi, to Saint Paul, Minnesota
In Trouble
The Letter
Grandpa Joe and Zenobia
The Spirit Child
Writing Letters
Great-Grandma Zenobia Comes to Saint Paul
Grandma Essie’s Pact of Silence
Grandpa Joe at the Saint Paul Banks and Savings and Loans
Mrs. Ruby Pearl
The Sit-in
Zenobia in Trouble
News from Ruthann
Margaret and Betty
Going to the Library
The House at 841 Rondo Avenue
Ada Milton
The Party
Chocolate Annie Oakley
It Was Time to Do Better
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
References
Produktdetaljer
Biografisk notat
Debra J Stone writes essays, poetry, and fiction. She received a 2023–25 Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship in Literature and the 2023 Loft Mirrors and Windows Fellowship for writing books for BIPOC children and young adults. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and her Australian cattle dog, Ruby. Find her online at debrajeannestone.com or on Instagram @debra2036.