HANK
Thirteen-year-old Hank Kemp is four-feet-nine inches and ninety-seven pounds of pure intelligence. Despite growing up in a poverty-stricken African American community in the 1950’s South, Hank still dares to dream. Although he has been abandoned by his drifter father, his hard-working mother provides an endless supply of unconditional love and support.
About the Author
Claudette Wallace Peck was born and raised in Lawton, OK. She attended and graduated from the all black Douglass School.
As valedictorian of her graduating class of 1954, she was awarded a scholarship to Arkansas A.M. & N. College in Pine Bluff, AR where she pursued a degree in history. However, after three years of studying at A.M. & N. she left and returned to her home state of Oklahoma. She continued her final year of college at the Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts in Chickasha, OK earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.
Claudette grew up in the 1950’s and was the first member of her family to graduate from college. Her interest in writing began in elementary school and continued throughout high school and college. Some of her best grades were made in English but she had always been interested in history. That is why she chose the genre historic fiction for her book “Hank”. She feels that growing up in the fifties was a fun time. For those who lived during that time, she hopes that “Hank” will be interesting as well as evocative.
Claudette worked for the state of Oklahoma as a senior interviewer and job placement specialist for 30 years, retiring March 1, 1999.
Since retiring, she has spent her life volunteering in the community and writing.
About the Book
Thirteen-year-old Hank Kemp is four-feet-nine inches and ninety-seven pounds of pure intelligence. Despite growing up in a poverty-stricken African American community in the 1950’s South, Hank still dares to dream.
Although he has been abandoned by his drifter father, his hard-working mother provides an endless supply of unconditional love and support. Shortly after he wins the spelling bee at his junior high, Hank’s promising world shatters when his mother dies in a fire. Soon, his mother’s friend, Lillie, takes Hank in and begins raising him as one of her own.
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Book Synopsis
“Hank” is the story of the trials and tribulations of two impoverished African American families living in the South in the 1950’s. “Hank” depicts the lives of young black men and women in a positive way. It is from an era of innocence that will appeal to people of all ages.
Even though Hank is poor, he still has a burning desire to succeed in life. His father abandoned him and his mother, and his mother does domestic work to support the two of them.
Hank is a good student and very intelligent. His life is changed by the sudden and tragic death of his mother in a house fire. His mother’s close friend, Lillie, wants to adopt Hank and raise him along with her two children. However, there are several obstacles which work against her. He is also helped by one of his teachers, and an attorney, who Lillie works for. They were determined to keep him out of foster care. They eventually succeed. Hank graduates from high school as valedictorian of his class and earns a scholarship to college.
“Hank” is an inspiring story of a young man, Hank, who dared to dream despite his circumstances.
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HANK Book by Claudette Peck
Copyright 2021 | Claudette Peck