Agnes has been getting to know her neighbor, a woman named Gracy. Gracy volunteered to drive Agnes to her orthodontist appointments since Agnes's mother is busy working at the bank. There isn't much to talk about on the drive there until the day they see an opossum in the road. Agnes assumes it is dead and will soon be squished by a passing car. Gracy gives Agnes a quick lesson on opossum behavior as they stop the car and move the animal off to a protected spot beside the road. Who knew this would open Agnes's mind to questions and thoughts she never had before.
When Agnes's mother announces she must start attending a confirmation class at their church, Agnes is furious. She doesn't mind church and knows that her mother's boss seems to believe it is necessary, but Agnes isn't even sure she believes in God so how is she supposed to take this class seriously.
As she listens to Pastor Paul and reads the required workbook assignments, she is getting even more frustrated. Why does Eve get blamed for everything? Why do stories in the Bible put the men in charge? And, why is God always portrayed as an old man with a white beard? None of it seems fair.
When Agnes stumbles across the poet Maya Angelou and learns she was a favorite of her mother's, she begins to visualize God in the image of the poet. She mentions this at church and is criticized for not thinking of God the way the church dictates.
As she reads more poetry and chats with Gracy about her thoughts and feelings, Agnes is encouraged to love herself and believe what she thinks is right. Could this cause her mother to lose her job? Will standing up and discussing her beliefs help win her friends or turn them against her?
Author Ann Braden explores friendship, religion, and speaking up for oneself in OPINIONS AND OPOSSUMS. This fast-paced read with the colorful cover is sure to entertain as well as open minds and stimulate discussion.
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