SMALL MERCIES

ISBN 978-1-946395-16-0 | $14.99 | publication date Feb 2020

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Named a Best Middle-Grade Book of 2020 by Kirkus Reviews
2021 Outstanding International Books List, United States Board on Books for Young People

Mercy lives in modern-day Pietermaritzburg, South Africa with her eccentric foster aunts—two elderly sisters so poor, they can only afford one lightbulb. A nasty housing developer is eying their house. And that same house suddenly starts falling apart—just as Aunt Flora starts falling apart. She’s forgetting words, names, and even how to behave in public. Mercy tries to keep her head down at school so nobody notices her. But when a classmate frames her for stealing the school’s raffle money, Mercy’s teachers decide to take a closer look at her home life.

Along comes Mr. Singh, who rents the back cottage of the house on Hodson Road. When he takes Mercy to visit a statue in the middle of the city, she learns that the shy, nervous “Mohandas” he tells stories about is actually Gandhi, who spent a cold and lonely night in the waiting room of the Pietermaritzburg train station over a hundred years ago. It marked the beginning of his life’s quest for truth…and the visit to his statue marks Mercy’s realization that she needs—just like Gandhi—to stand up for herself.

Mercy needs a miracle. But to summon that miracle, she has to find her voice and tell the truth—and that truth is neither pure nor simple.

Read an excerpt (PDF)

Hear author Bridget Krone read an excerpt from Small Mercies
Discussion questions for Small Mercies (PDF)
A Small Mercies crossword puzzle (PDF) Crossword answers

Reviews

“Set in post-apartheid Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, this realistic story traces protagonist Mercy’s quest to speak up for truth and, consequently, for herself. […] Sensitive, funny, and tender.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Karen Vermeulen’s simple line drawings complement Krone’s text with appropriate whimsy. The short chapters are a nice treat for the reading level, particularly since the themes have a depth to them that take some reflecting. Krone notes that her “favorite stories are those that, just when you expect a lesson, sing a song instead.” Small Mercies is just that surprising song, full of light and sweetness. Readers will carry the melody in their hearts long after the last page is turned.” —New York Journal of Books

“Bridget Krone’s debut novel shines as an example of life in the new South Africa. […] this novel brims with poignancy, worthwhile themes, memorable characters, lively dialogue, humor, language-play, and sensitivity. Karen Vermeulen’s spritely cover and chapter-heading decorations nicely complement the text. “Small Mercies” is the perfect title for this delightful read.” — Africa Access Review

“This poignant, charming, perfect gem of a novel has the wonderfully timeless feel of a classic although it is set in modern-day, post-apartheid South Africa, in the City of Pietermaritzburg, the author’s home. It’s a small book with an uplifting message of love and community that resonates in our troubled times.” — The Buffalo News

“Beautifully written […] a gently humorous delight that chronicles the quest of Mercy Adams in her search for courage, truth and a safe place to call home. Satisfying, tender, funny and kind.” —The Witness (South Africa)

“[S]ometimes life teaches us that everyday life is also full of magic, that in the most unusual places, the farthest places or the most unexpected pages we can find wonderful stories, and authors that from sweet little bees buzzing teach you to overcome the obstacles that appear on the way. This is the case of Bridget Krone and her book…” —Noticias Financieras (review of the Spanish-language edition)
“Tender, exhilarating, and often hilarious, Small Mercies perfectly weaves the difficult and the wonderful truths of being alive. You will root for Mercy from the very first page, and she will be in your heart long after you’ve read this vivid, beautifully written novel.” —Sara Cassidy, author of A Boy Named Queen and Nevers

“A fascinating story, beautifully told” — Lee Geurkink, Monkey and Dog Books (Fort Worth, TX)

“You will not leave the pages of this book without feeling somehow smarter and wiser and kinder. Why? Because Mercy’s story is one that makes space for our hearts to grow. Beautifully written, here’s an offering of love on the page.” — Kathi Appelt, New York Times Bestseller, Newbery Honor Award and National Book Honor winner

“Mercy is a winning protagonist who is by turns anxious, observant, and brave. South Africa is represented in its diversity: Mercy is mixed race, her aunts are white, and neighbors, classmates, and community members are from a range of racial and cultural backgrounds. Short, episodic chapters in the book’s first half build to an emotionally compelling conclusion that is rich in insights about community, family, and social action. VERDICT This novel has a gentle, timeless feel, complex secondary characters, and quirky humor. A heartfelt, human, and wise addition to middle grade shelves.—Elizabeth Giles, Lubuto Library Partners, Zambia (School Library Journal)

About Bridget Krone

Bridget Krone lives in Hilton, South Africa with her husband Anton and their two grown sons, who come home for occasional holidays.  Their house is on the edge of a farm and a nature reserve and she can see cows on the hill as well as the Drakensberg mountains from her stoep.

She was an English teacher for a few years and then started writing English text books for South African schools. She still writes readers, study guides, teacher guides and text books, and has also compiled poetry and short story anthologies. Learn more about Bridget at her website www.bridgetkrone.com

About Karen Vermeulen (illustrator)

Karen Vermeulen is an illustrator, designer, art director, and writer living in Cape Town, South Africa. She has designed the majority of Catalyst Press’s book covers. She works from a corner of her small flat, her desk facing Table Mountain. She loves humor, stories, patterns and color. Her cat (Sir Henry) loves walking over her keyboard and lying on top of her drawings while she tries to work. Learn more about Karen and her work at her website www.karenvermeulen.com