Piecing Me Together

Description

When Jade learns the Spanish word for succeed, she thinks it's kind of ironic that the English word exit is embedded in it. Tener exito. To succeed. Jade believes she must get out of her poor neighborhood if she's ever going to accomplish anything. Her mother tells her to take advantage of every opportunity that comes her way. And she has. She leaves her friends and neighborhood every day to attend a private school in a wealthy part of the city. She hopes that this year she'll be chosen for the opportunity to participate in the school's amazing Study Abroad program. But there's one "opportunity" that Jade doesn't really welcome: joining Women to Women, a mentorship program for at-risk girls. She's tired of being singled out at her mostly-white school as someone who needs support. And just because Maxine, her college-student mentor, is black and graduated from her high school doesn't mean she understands where Jade is coming from. Maxine is eager to give back, but most of the "opportunities" she has to offer aren't really what Jade needs. Because Maxine doesn't really get it. And it seems like she has some issues of her own she needs to figure out. Maybe there are some things Jade could show these "successful" women about understanding the world and finding opportunities to be real, to make a difference. Renee Watson once again delivers a thoughtful and relevant story about issues of race, privilege, and female relationships.

RENEE WATSON is the author of the teen novel, This Side of Home, and two acclaimed picture books: Harlem's Little Blackbird and A Place Where Hurricanes Happen, which was featured on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. Her middle grade novel, What Momma Left Me debuted as an ABA New Voices Pick. She lives in New York City where she teaches writing in the public schools. www.reneewatson.net

Writing with the artfulness and insights of African American teen-lit pioneers Rita Williams-Garcia, Angela Johnson, and Jacqueline Woodson, Watson shows Maya exploring concerns rarely made this accessible . . . essential for all collections. -- starred review * Booklist on This Side of Home * Watson paints a thoughtful, powerful picture of the complications of contemporary African- American experience, especially when it rubs up against the hipster middle class. -- starred review * BCCB on This Side of Home * An intriguing look at how families and young people cope with community and personal change. . . . Here's hoping Watson's teen debut will be followed by many more. * Kirkus Reviews on This Side of Home * Watson delivers a well-rounded, delicate, and important story without sacrificing any heart. An engrossing and timely coming-of-age story. * SLJ on This Side of Home *