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amesnotamy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
emilyctrigg's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
cboddie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
HS & up
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Grief
Moderate: Cancer
k8_reads_things's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bookswithsoumi's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
in_and_out_of_the_stash's review
3.0
Another book with an angry teenager and a death in the family - what is going on with the books I am choosing?
There is so much going on with this book that is good - early on there is racial face blindness, which I happened to read on the same day as my adult son was called the wrong but stereotypical Hispanic name by a client. (Please, just say "sorry could you tell me your name again".) The reactions of white people to slavery - it wasn't all bad, which if everything you read is true will soon be taught in Florida schools.
But what was never explained was how the family could afford to buy the property and send their child to private school. The property next door is purchased by an actress - implication money - but the protagonist's father left a tenured position (which isn't a well paid path) to restore the plantation and it isn't mentioned what Mom did. And money isn't a worry in the book - so how?
There is so much going on with this book that is good - early on there is racial face blindness, which I happened to read on the same day as my adult son was called the wrong but stereotypical Hispanic name by a client. (Please, just say "sorry could you tell me your name again".) The reactions of white people to slavery - it wasn't all bad, which if everything you read is true will soon be taught in Florida schools.
But what was never explained was how the family could afford to buy the property and send their child to private school. The property next door is purchased by an actress - implication money - but the protagonist's father left a tenured position (which isn't a well paid path) to restore the plantation and it isn't mentioned what Mom did. And money isn't a worry in the book - so how?
go_maggs_go's review
5.0
I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!
It was easily one of my favorite reads of 2023 and I'm recommending it to EVERYONE.
It was easily one of my favorite reads of 2023 and I'm recommending it to EVERYONE.
hannahnoelle531's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alongreader's review
4.0
Ooof, this one is a tough read! Very worthwhile and I'll be pushing it on as many people as I possibly can, but tough to get through.
I'm not American, so I don't have any personal history with the specific type of slavery suffered over there. In some ways that made this an easier read; I've no hereditary guilt or anger, so I was able to process the story more clearly. I can see how this would be very tough otherwise!
Harriet is amazing and I only wish I felt as passionately about anything as she does about her museum. I love her friend group at school, too, and how they continued to worry and care and try to help her even in the face of her anger and apathy. Found family is wonderful, and she found one she didn't even know she had.
A difficult read, but a really worthwhile one, and one that I hope as many people as possible will read. I'd love to see this in schools and book clubs.
I'm not American, so I don't have any personal history with the specific type of slavery suffered over there. In some ways that made this an easier read; I've no hereditary guilt or anger, so I was able to process the story more clearly. I can see how this would be very tough otherwise!
Harriet is amazing and I only wish I felt as passionately about anything as she does about her museum. I love her friend group at school, too, and how they continued to worry and care and try to help her even in the face of her anger and apathy. Found family is wonderful, and she found one she didn't even know she had.
A difficult read, but a really worthwhile one, and one that I hope as many people as possible will read. I'd love to see this in schools and book clubs.