Cassie’s Middle name is Deborah.
Cassie does not use her middle name often. Her mother uses it when she gives her a copy of The Three Musketeers. When she receives the book for Christmas, it is important enough that her full name is written inside it. Her mother is impressing upon Cassie how special the book is, and using her full name makes it official and grown-up.
On the inside cover of each book in Mama’s fine hand was written the name of the owner. Mine read: “This book is the property of Miss Cassie Deborah Logan. Christmas, 1933” (Chapter 7).
Papa tells Cassie that her book and Stacey’s book, The Count of Monte Cristo, were written by a black man. Alexandre Dumas was French, but his father was a Mulatto (half-black). Casey’s father is very proud of that fact, and wants his children to understand its importance. He tells them that the books might be hard for them to read at first, but they should read them.
Having a book is a very special thing. The Logan children's parents are trying to impress upon them the importance of education. The books they use at school are all hand-me-downs from the white school. The family does not have much money, but they make sure each child gets a brand new book of his or her own.
Cassie Logan is living in an interesting time. Her parents own their own land, which is rare. They are proud of their heritage but wary of racism. It is still not possible for them to have equal rights. They are segregated and mistreated by white people constantly, especially those who feel they should not own land.
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