Mildred D. Taylor's The Gold Cadillac is praised for its powerful exploration of racial issues and its poignant, compelling narrative. Readers appreciate its historical context and relatable characters. However, some critiques mention its brevity limits deeper character development. Overall, it is a highly regarded work for both younger audiences and adults.

Fans of moving family narratives and historical fiction focusing on African American experiences, as seen in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor and One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia, will appreciate The Gold Cadillac's themes of racial injustice and familial strength during the 1950s.

In The Gold Cadillac by Mildred D. Taylor, a young Black girl named ’lois narrates her family's journey from Ohio to Mississippi in her father's new gold Cadillac, encountering institutional racism and racial segregation in the Jim Crow South. The family faces conflicts both within their household and with the external racist policing and societal structures they confront. The novella discusses the lynching of Black Americans and portrays a young girl's experiences with racial segregation and racist policing.

Challenging / Emotional / Contemplative / Inspirational / Heartwarming

- The Gold Cadillac, published in 1987, is a part of Mildred D. Taylor's series of books about the Logan family, which also includes the acclaimed Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.
- Mildred D. Taylor based much of her writing on her own family's experiences and stories shared by her father, which inspired her to portray the African American experience authentically in her work.
- The illustrations in The Gold Cadillac were done by Michael Hays, whose artwork aimed to complement the powerful narrative and themes Taylor explored regarding race and identity.

**’Lois**  
The protagonist and narrator of the story, ’Lois is an observant child who is curious about the world around her and develops a deeper understanding of her family and racial identity during the events of the narrative.

**Daddy (Wilbert)**  
’Lois’s father, whose aspiration to achieve the American dream leads him to make significant choices that impact the family, while also explaining and guiding ’Lois through complex social realities.

**Mother (Dee)**  
’Lois’s mother, described as a strong and caring figure within the family who supports their goals and maintains stability, including during times of conflict.

**Wilma**  
’Lois’s sister, who shares experiences with ’Lois throughout the story, often following her sister’s lead and being a companion during their shared journey.

Mildred D. Taylor

Middle grade

Novella

Logans

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

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Overview

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The Gold Cadillac Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Gold Cadillac Background

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section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Pages 9-25

The Gold Cadillac Pages 9-25 Summary & Analysis

Pages 26-43

The Gold Cadillac Pages 26-43 Summary & Analysis

Author’s Note

The Gold Cadillac Author’s Note Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Gold Cadillac Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Gold Cadillac Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Gold Cadillac Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The Gold Cadillac Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Gold Cadillac Essay Topics

The Gold Cadillac

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Gold Cadillac?

Reading Age

Book Details