Piecing Me Together



Bibliography
Watson, Renée, 2017. PIECING ME TOGETHER. New York, NY: Bloomsbury Publishing Inc. ISBN 9781681191072.

Plot Summary
Jade is determined to not let her personal upbringings affect her chances of being successful in life. As a 16 year old black girl, Jade is afraid to fall under the stereotype her less wealthy neighborhood presents. Despite attending an elite private school on a scholarship, Jade is still feeling as though she cannot properly allow herself to be comfortable or speak up. Her school counselor considers her to be "at-risk" based on her race and personal upbringing (her mother working constantly to meet ends needs), requesting Jade take part in a Woman to Woman mentorship program. Feeling skeptical at first, unable to see the difference the program will make, Jade changes her mind after meeting her mentor. For once, she is encouraged to speak up, take chances, and make a difference by expressing her feelings through her collage art. 

Critical Analysis 
Watson writes a powerful, inspirational story that young adult readers will have no trouble connecting to. The main character, Jade, is a 16 year old black girl, who unfortunately recognizes and feels the judgements her race brings. Something that is already determined before getting to know Jade. Young adults will be able to connect to the feeling of being misunderstood and judged immediately. However, it is the character's dreams of taking part in a Study Abroad program that keeps her head up and trying to remain out of sight, not wanting to bring unwanted attention to herself. Her school counselor deems Jade to be "at-risk" without discussing it with her or her mom, requesting she join a Woman to Woman mentorship program. When Jade questions why she is chosen, the counselor is hesitant to share the selection criteria, knowing judgement will be shared. As a young adult, Jade's character knows how her appearance presents itself; poor and African American. It is still a time where unfortunately, others have yet to look past the color of one's skin. However, Jade doesn't argue being singled out and gives the mentorship program a chance, meeting her mentor, Maxine; who is also black but comes from a wealthy background. After Jade spends time with her mentor, she is feeling inspired to speak up about unwanted situations in her life, expressing her once hidden feelings towards pain and judgement through her talented collage art. Watson's character development of Jade brings inspiration to young readers, letting them know it is okay to advocate for yourself, but there are respectful and appropriate ways to do so. While it is important to take these opportunities to speak up, Jade's character finds a way to not let her race or culture define her as less fortunate. Instead, she contributes strength and resilience to her race, letting others know to never back down on making a difference.

Review Excerpt(s)
- Newbery Honor Book
- Coretta Scott King Author Award
- Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Young Adult Finalist
- A New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
- A Chicago Public Library Best Book, Teen Fiction
- An ALA Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults
- An NPR Best Book
- A Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book
Starred review in KIRKUS REVIEWS: "A timely, nuanced, and unforgettable story about the power of art, community, and friendship."
Starred review in PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "Teeming with compassion and insight." 

Connections
- Young adult readers will be able to connect to the main character's drive to succeed in life and not let her upbringings define her talents or voice.
- Fans of the author, Renée Watson, will enjoy this powerful addition to her creative works.    
- Similar book recommendations:
Watson, Renée, 2024. BLACK GIRL YOU ARE ATLAS. ISBN 9780593461709.
Watson, Renée, 2020. SOME PLACES MORE THAN OTHERS. ISBN 9781681191102.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Koala Lou

Image
  Bibliography Fox, Mem, 1988. KOALA LOU. Ill. by Pamela Lofts. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 9780152000769. Plot Summary Young Koala Lou yearns for the days when she was an only child and her mother would tell her how she loved her the most. As the years have passed and more siblings have arrived, Koala Lou thinks about what she can do to earn her mother's attention. With the Bush Olympics right around the corner, she enters the competition (specifically, the gum tree climbing event), dreaming of her victory and her mother telling her how much she loved her. Despite not winning the event, her mother is proud of her and reminds her of how much she loves her. Koala Lou learns that a mother's love is forever and does not have to win her over. Critical Analysis  Mem Fox has captured the sweet, eternal love a mother will always have her child. The main character, Koala Lou, recalls the moments when her mother would tell her she loved her most and how it uplifted her...
Read more

Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Family's Fight for Desegregation

Image
  Bibliography Tonatiuh, Duncan, 2014. SEPARATE IS NEVER EQUAL: SYLVIA MENDEZ & HER FAMILY'S FIGHT FOR DESEGREGATION. New York, NY: Abrams Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9781419710544. Plot Summary In 1947, Sylvia Mendez is excited to begin school in the new city her family moved to. When she walks through the door, she is immediately greeted with rudeness and is told to go to the Mexican school instead. Hurt and ashamed, she tells her mother she does not want to go to school anymore. Her mother listens to her sadness and reminds her to hold her head high, the Mendez family fought for the right to attend the Westminster school. She was being unfairly judged for her looks alone, despite being an American who spoke perfect English, all people saw was her dark hair and skin. Sylvia's mother reminds her of how her family fought for the same opportunity for the kids to attend a good school and have equal rights.  Critical Analysis  Duncan Tonatiuh shares the powerful, true ...
Read more

The Night Raven

Image
Bibliography Rundberg, Johan, 2020. THE NIGHT RAVEN. New York, NY: Amazon Crossing Kids. ISBN 9781662509582. Plot Summary It's a dark, cold night in Stockholm and Mika is running through her personal checklist of how to survive during the unbearable, freezing winters in the local orphanage. She suddenly hears a knock at the door and there is a boy holding a newborn child claiming the Dark Angel knows he has taken this child. Without any explanation, the boy takes off running, leaving Mika with many questions and another child to help care for. The Night Raven was a notorious serial killer in Stockholm and was supposed to be dead, now Mika is left wondering if somehow he is involved. With the help of a local detective, Mika will hunt out the truth and solve a murder. With this opportunity, Mika can become someone strong and who matters in this world, not allowing her only identity to be an orphan.  Critical Analysis Rundberg writes a suspenseful mystery, more specifically a murder i...
Read more