In 1963, the Rondo neighborhood in St. Paul came under threat as the proposed location of the I-94 corridor was set to drive straight through the predominantly black community.
Debra J. Stone's The House on Rondo follows 13-year-old Zenobia as she grapples to understand the interstate plans and how the adults are reacting to the news. The historical fiction novel addresses the very real conditions of many families who were removed from their homes to make way for road construction.
The book is categorized as Middle Grade Fiction, which was a very considered choice by the author. "I think it's important that young people know their history," says Stone.
With much of the story grounded in history and facts, Stone takes some liberties by letting the tale drift into magical realism at times. "There are two elements that I would call magical realism; the house and the spirit child," says Stone. "I thought it was important to show that there are tragedies in the family and that those spirits affect the family."
The House on Rondo is available at a variety of booksellers, and through The University of Minnesota Press. During the upcoming holiday sale, The House on Rondo will be available at a discount when purchased directly through the University of Minnesota Press.
Minnesota Reads is produced at The North 103.3 with funding provided in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
