What do you think drew Corky to America? Do you believe the feeling was mutual?

Later in life, Corky writes that "it's strange how close you can feel to someone after knowing them only a short time compared to people you never get close to despite knowing them for years." What do you think drew Corky to America? Do you believe the feeling was mutual? Do you feel Corky's statement is true, and if so, what do you suppose causes such bonds to form?

I think that America was different for Corky. She hadn't known someone like America so she was entranced. I also believe that you can know people for just a short time and feel like you've know them forever. I don't know that the feeling was mutual for America although (no spoiler) I don't think the ending would have happened if America didn't feel some closeness.

I think Corky was drawn to America for a variety of reasons. I think Corky wanted a friend and was also fascinated with America’s athletic prowess in running. I think America was a bit standoffish at first because of living in a small town and being the only black girl in it. Corky is also a little younger than America.

I do feel you can meet someone and after only knowing them for a short period, you can feel as if you’ve known them forever. My best friend and I met that way. We met for the first time and it was an instant connection and became the best of friends and it has continued to this day. It’s hard to say why it happens but it’s just a certain feeling you have and the ease of talking with that person that can make them so special.

Corky was drawn to America because of her running capabilities. She wanted to be friends, as well because of her kind and sensitive nature.

I think initially Corky was initially drawn to America's running and athletic abilities. They also both loved books, although America had none. Corky looked up to America and wanted her as a friend.
I think America was not as eager for the friendship because of segregation in the south. She perhaps didn't trust might a friendship would involve for her.
I do think Some people bond in friendship faster than others.

I think Corky was in awe of America……her athletic skills, she was black and Corky needed a friend. Friendships, just like love, can happen quickly. Two people drawn to each other, click and bond even before they know each other well.

Corky saw another young girl and wanted to be friends. The fact that America was black didn't matter to her. She was impressed with America's athletic abilities and knew she would be a great addition to her softball team.
America was skeptical at first. Who could blame her?

Corky was fascinated by America likely because she was such a good athlete. She really wanted to be friends, but America was cautious in reciprocating. I don't think her reasons were made clear in the book.

The first thing Corky saw in America was her running and athletic abilities and wanted to encourage her to participate in those sports. But there was more she saw the possibility of a true friendship that would mutually beneficial unaware of the race restrictions in the town. She also shared America's love of books but once again unknowingly shared the wrong book. But her friendship pursued for many years after.

I think initially she was drawn because she would be a new friend that came to her home. She continues to be drawn to her for her running capability. Later in life, she was drawn to her because she realized her value as a friend and human being.

Corky loved and admired her older brother and was accustomed to his athleticism, so seeing a young girl of similar age with athletic prowess was an immediate attraction. Corky also was at that awkward adolescent age between wanting to play with friends and yearning to be taken more seriously as a teenager. America presented an opportunity to gain a friend who could fine-tune her teen development. Corky's naiveté toward race was understandable given her sheltered upbringing, but I thought the author Lynda Rutledge explained the realizations of the small town dynamics in a thoughtful manner as Corky became aware of the race restrictions that had always been clearly defined by landmark boundaries as well as social status.

They were close in age, so Corky was drawn to America. It wasn’t until later that her athletic ability became apparent and Corky was in awe of her abilities. Actually America was better than Corky’s brother, so that was another connection between them. I do believe Corky was right:there are some people you meet and you feel you have known them forever and maybe the reason is you may see a lot of yourself in that person. I don’t think America’s family life style was conducive to America making lasting friends. Again it seems to always go back to her family moving often.

Curiosity, to begin with. Corky had never met someone like America.

I think America was a curiosity for Corky. Here was someone new. Someone her age. Someone who was so incredibly athletic. Someone who was a person of color. I think Corky was fascinated that one person could be all of these things and be a friend. America had already had so many experiences that Corky could not begin to relate to that I don’t think it was the same for her.

I agree with all of the above responses, especially Julib. I didn’t think Corky’s feelings for America were reciprocated until the note America left for her at the library. I think America realized that Corky’s feelings for her were genuine, not driven by her being black or athletic. Corky saw other things in her that were important, books and creative sewing. It’s probably the first time that a white person had ever shown such respect and appreciation of her and her mother. You don’t forget that.

I agree with Robertaw in that America was cautious in reciprocating the friendship with Corky. I wish that the author had developed that more. Obviously she was cautious because she understood what being black meant at this time historically, especially in the South. But I also thought that perhaps the age difference was a factor. Three years makes a big difference in life's experiences in teen years. It wasn't real clear what America's experiences were.

When Corky first met America, I think Corky was mesmerized by America. American was an excellent athletic. She was multi-talented. America could also sew, play the piano and she was smart. Corky asked her once, "Is there anything you cannot do". America thought Corky was naive and asked too many questions. Also, America knew that a friendship with a white girl from Northside would create trouble for her. It was improbable and she couldn't allow it to develop. But Corky persisted in being friends with America making one blunder after another. I think the turning point in their friendship came when Corky took America for a ride on Goldie and gave her the silver dime.

As others have stated, I believe Corky admired America for her athletic abilities. As she got to know her, she realized America could do many things. Corky was an innocent, kind, and curious teenager. America did seem standish at first, but this is understandable considering the times. It was highly unusual got a white girl and a black girl to be friends.