Salvage the Bones Book Review

Book title: Salvage the Bones

Author: Jesmyn Ward

Hurricane Katrina is on the way, and Skeetah’s beloved dog, China, has just given birth to a litter of puppies. At the same time, one of the main characters, Esch, is thinking constantly about Manny, the boy she has a crush on. While shopping for supplies for the hurricane and food for the puppies with her brothers, Esch shoplifts a pregnancy test. The pregnancy test does indeed prove that she is pregnant, and she has no doubt that the father is Manny.

With what little money the family has and a drunk father, the children are still in need of supplies as well as a chemical to cure one of China’s puppies of a contagious disease. They break into a neighbor’s barn and are nearly discovered by the owners. They all escape safely—some faster than others with pregnant Esch being on the slower side.

Surprise! Despite all of the love towards China, she is used to fight other dogs. She is much weaker now that she’s a mother, however, her owner decides that it’s okay that she fights. The dog knows that she needs to survive because she has puppies now. Does China make it through the fighting?

After what one might call a series of unfortunate events, the children are left to finish hurricane preparation. The hurricane soon comes over the “Pit” and the family must work together to make it through the storm alive. Esch and China prove to be strong, powerful females that take care of whatever life deals them.

Verdict: This story of family, friendship, and difficulties is a definite page turner that will keep its reader until the very last page.

Reviewed by: Betsy Overstrum‘20