New novel shows destruction of Rondo neighborhood through the eyes of a young girl
Description
It's been more than 60 years since the construction of Interstate 94 destroyed much of the historically Black St. Paul neighborhood known as Rondo. Minneapolis writer Debra J. Stone remembers visiting her grandparents as a child in Rondo every Sunday without fail. She even remembers playing in an enormous dirt pit from I-94 construction growing near their house. It was only when her grandparents' house was demolished that she realized the effect the interstate would have.
Debra wrote a novel about a little girl, not unlike herself at the time, grappling with the destruction of the Rondo neighborhood in 1963. The book is called “The House on Rondo,” and it is out Tuesday.
She spoke to MPR News host Nina Moini about her experience growing up visiting Rondo and her new book.
Debra will read from her new book at Black Garnet Books in St. Paul for a book launch event on Oct. 11.
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