The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store Summary
James McBride

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store Overview

James McBride's The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store portrays a series of events which takes place in the early twentieth century in Pennsylvania surrounding the rescue of a disabled Black boy named Dodo from the abusive clutches of Pennhurst State School and Hospital. Set primarily in the small city of Pottstown, and particularly in the diverse Chicken Hill neighborhood, the novel follows the lives of several of the town's residents as they struggle to overcome their demographic divisions in order to unite as one and come to Dodo's rescue. In detailing these lives, the novel traverses themes of community, racism, religiosity, disability, and class.