Whistling Past the Graveyard
by Susan Crandall
Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall holds a highly rated rating of 4.04 out of 5, based on 20.2K reader ratings. First published in 2013. The book spans 307 pages.
About Whistling Past the Graveyard
The summer of 1963 begins like any other for nine-year-old Starla Claudelle. Born to teenage parents in Mississippi, Starla is being raised by a strict paternal grandmother, Mamie, whose worst fear is that Starla will turn out like her mother. Starla hasn’t seen her momma since she was three, but is convinced that her mother will keep her promise to take Starla and her daddy to Nashville, where her mother hopes to become a famous singer—and that one day her family will be whole and perfect.When Starla is grounded on the Fourth of July, she sneaks out to see the parade. After getting caught, Starla’s fear that Mamie will make good on her threats and send her to reform school cause her to panic and run away from home. Once out in the country, Starla is offered a ride by a black woman, Eula, who is traveling with a white baby. She happily accepts a ride, with the ultimate goal of reaching her mother in Nashville.As the two unlikely companions make their long and sometimes dangerous journey, Starla’s eyes are opened to the harsh realities of 1963 southern segregation. Through talks with Eula, reconnecting with her parents, and encountering a series of surprising misadventures, Starla learns to let go of long-held dreams and realizes family is forged from those who will sacrifice all for you, no matter if bound by blood or by the heart.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Susan Crandall |
| Published | 2013 |
| Pages | 307 |
| Genres | Historical Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult |
| Average Rating | 4.04 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 20,168 |
Reader Ratings & Analysis
Rating Overview
How It Compares
Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Whistling Past the Graveyard?
Whistling Past the Graveyard is categorized as Historical Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult. Its primary genre classification is Historical Fiction.
Is Whistling Past the Graveyard worth reading?
Based on 20.2K reader ratings, Whistling Past the Graveyard has an average score of 4.04 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated."
How many pages is Whistling Past the Graveyard?
Whistling Past the Graveyard has 307 pages.
Who wrote Whistling Past the Graveyard?
Whistling Past the Graveyard was written by Susan Crandall. It was first published in 2013.
What is the ISBN for Whistling Past the Graveyard?
The ISBN-13 for Whistling Past the Graveyard is 9781476707720.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
