- ISBN13: 9780143112112
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
June Cross was born in 1954 to Norma Booth, a glamorous, aspiring white actress, and James “Stump” Cross, a well-known black comedian. Sent by her mother to be raised by black friends when she was four years old and could no longer pass as white, June was plunged into the pain and confusion of a family divided by race. Secret Daughter tells her story of survival. It traces June’s astonishing discoveries about her mother and about her own fierce determinati… More >>
Secret Daughter: A Mixed-Race Daughter and the Mother Who Gave Her Away
Several things turned me off while I read this book. In the first place, although I can empathise with the pain June felt, I detested the militant turn she took. A careful reading shows many barbs at white people, just for being white. I’m sorry Norma was such a monstrous mother, but that does not make every white person a racist, nor every black heroic. Secondly, the writing itself was pedestrian. Third, it was infuriating to hear Norma’s twisted defense of herself….”oh what did I do wrong in a previous life, that I was not permitted to raise my children?” That is bunk, as she chose to have three illegitimate children and give them ALL away, even the white children, so it wasn’t just racism. If she regretted any of this at all, why did she refuse to have anything to do with her son’s children…she claims their existence made her feel old. I was angry at June for not respecting Peggy enough…that woman was a true mother.
Rating: 1 / 5
After careful perusing through your book; Secret Daughter: I find it very engaging and cathartic! A purging of the soul; reminding us of what has transpired in the history of this country and the ongoing struggle with racism in our culture today!
The candidness of the book has put the spotlight on the transparent refulgence of your real life story. This is a paragon example of the potential in all of us to be a worthwhile person; despite the odds against us… as described in my motto!
When Life Deals You a Bad Hand… You Take The Licking And Keep On Ticking…
Your memoir has proven your worth!
Recommended Read by the author of: You’re a Worthwhile Person in More Ways Than a Million! Simeon W. Johnson
Copyright © 2006
Rating: 5 / 5
The story is compelling in its complexity. That it starts with the author’s birth in 1954 the book highlights the recent events and history of the US I have grown up in and witnessed. As the adoptive mother of two bi-racial children I found her mother’s actions perplexing and hard to understand…but her daughter wants the reader to understand.
Rating: 4 / 5
Throughout this story, Norma (the mother) always told her daughter how much she loved her. But her behaviour towards June (and her 2 other children) told a vastly different story. In other words, talk is cheap and actions speak very loudly.
Not to let her father off the hook for abandoning her; he could have kept in touch with her and brought June into his family also.
Fortunately, June had Peggy who instilled good values and disipline in her and her big brother Lary who obviously loved her. I believe that it was because of them (and the Gregory influence) that June became the success that she is.
I applaud her for rising above it all and creating a healthy life for herself.
Great Book.
Rating: 5 / 5
Although everyone empathized with June, we couldn’t understand her loyalty. We wished she had been as loyal to Aunt Peggy. There were some readers that didn’t finish because they felt the story was going nowhwere. Then you had those that finished only to be relieved that it was over. We hope that June has sought some type of professional counseling behind this, because this was not something that you just “get over”. Having been rejected by her mother and knowing that it wasn’t just her (but her white brother and sister too) should have made the blow a little easier. It’s evident that June placed a barrier around herself to shield her feelings as an adult. She is a successful lady despite her past and that matters most.
Rating: 2 / 5