Some Places More Than Others

Description

From New York Times bestselling and multi award-winning author Renee Watson comes a heartwarming and inspiring middle grade novel about finding deep roots and exploring the past, the present, and the places that make us who we are. 'Some of the places I am still getting to know, some of these places I have known all my life. All of these places made me, are making me.' All Amara wants for her birthday is to visit her father's family in New York City - Harlem. She can't wait to finally meet her Grandpa Earl and cousins in person, and to stay in the brownstone where her father grew up. Maybe this will help her understand her family - and herself - in a new way. But New York City is not exactly what Amara thought it would be. It's noisy, crowded, confusing, and her cousins can be mean. Plus her father is too busy working to spend time with her and too angry to fix his relationship with Grandpa Earl. Amara can't help wondering, even if she does discover more about where she came from, will it help her know where she belongs?

RENEE WATSON is the Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award-winning author of the novels Piecing Me Together, This Side of Home, What Momma Left Me, Betty Before X, co-written with Ilyasah Shabazz, and two picture books: Harlem's Little Blackbird and A Place Where Hurricanes Happen. Renee is the founder of I, Too Arts Collective, a non-profit committed to nurturing underrepresented voices in the creative arts. She lives in New York City. reneewatson.net; @harlemportland (Instagram); @reneewauthor (Twitter)

An important and deeply moving novel * John Green, New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, on PIECING ME TOGETHER * Watson, with rhythm and style, somehow gets at ... the life-changing power of voice and opportunity, all wrapped up in Jade * Jason Reynolds, author of LONG WAY DOWN, on PIECING ME TOGETHER * Timely and timeless * Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award winning author of BROWN GIRL DREAMING, on PIECING ME TOGETHER * A timely, nuanced, and unforgettable story * Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on PIECING ME TOGETHER * Teeming with compassion and insight * Publishers Weekly, starred review, on PIECING ME TOGETHER * Award-winning author Renee Watson wonderfully represents and explores culture, family and identity. * Pride Magazine * This is a warm, positive story with characters who are easy to empathise with. A beautifully written and textured book about identity, family and belonging. * BookTrust * An exceptional story of a young girl's coming of age, finding out about her roots and her own place in her family, told with economy and grace. It is both touching and thought-provoking yet never feels preachy. It packs a powerful punch. I would suggest every school should own their own copy of this book * Books for Keeps * Renee Watson's uplifting and empowering middle grade novel is a wonderful tale of identity, family and discovering the meaning of home * Best Fiction Gifts for Book Lovers, CultureFly * [A] subtle and poignant story of a girl discovering her roots... A profound story to read at Christmas to help us reflect on our families and our heritage. * Christmas Bibliotherapy: Staff picks for 2019, Literacy Curriculum * A great book to discuss in book clubs and study in classes for characterisation and dialogue * School Reading List * A textured, warm and positive story, beautifully written and with a poetic feel * BookTrust Great Books Guide * This aspiring novel talks about life journeys and trying new things, and is packed with laughs and tears * Sade Magazine *