Grease Town

Gr 4—8—In 1863, oil has recently been discovered in Oil Springs, Ontario, and a variety of people, black and white, and from many different walks of life, are settling there. Orphans Lem and Titus Sullivan live in their aunt's stuffy and regimented house. When 19-year-old Lem sets out for Oil Springs, 13-year-old Titus stows away in his brother's wagon and unwittingly scores a bumpy ride into a new and eventful chapter in his life. Towell skillfully creates the setting of this mucky little town and its colorful inhabitants. Titus, who narrates, has a voice that is believable and uncontrived, which lends an air of authenticity to the story. Supporting characters are equally strong and well developed, particularly Moses, the son of former slaves who becomes Titus's friend. Racism has followed the freed slaves into Canada, close to Chatham (of Underground Railroad fame). Living in a shantytown of sorts, black families are attacked one night in the culmination of a race riot. Titus witnesses the events and is traumatized to the point of speechlessness, and it's questionable whether he will find his tongue and be able to testify. Towell has created a strong narrator and a compelling plot.—Corrina Austin, Locke's Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada