The Purple Heights

"The Purple Heights" by Marie Conway Oemler is a story that follows young Peter Champneys as he grows up in Riverton, South Carolina, during the early 1900s. Plagued with poverty, Peter belongs to a once-distinguished Southern family, and much of his journey focuses on how he deals with his legacy, his developing sense of self, and his close relationship with his kind mother and the African American community around him. From his humble beginnings and sensory-filled childhood to his love for drawing, which his mother supports, the narrative captures Peter experiencing life without a father, holding onto what’s left of his family’s honor, and forming friendships, including a complicated one with his cat. The story hints at the problems Peter will face as he tries to unite his past with his dreams for a better future.