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A review by lattelibrarian
Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson
5.0
Oh my god, I love this book. I feel like this succinctly summed up everything I learned in my ethnic lit classes and everything I've learned from my own experiences and studies. I think those who find themselves dissatisfied with this book are so because this book is very much about an internal journey in which Jade learns to speak up for herself, in which she learns to fully commit to even the opportunities that do not spark joy.
When Jade is recruited for Women to Women, a program for "at risk" black girls, she feels more than uncomfortable. Is she at risk because she's poor? Because she's black? Because she's at this school on a scholarship? How dare they assume that, especially when she has a 4.0 and takes every single opportunity given to her. But when she's paired up with a mentor who doesn't even show the first night they all get together, she's rightfully angry.
This book is set in Portland, Oregon, which is such an important setting for this book. Portland, Oregon is such a neo-liberal city that preaches inclusion and acceptance, but really is one of the most racist cities out there. Given that, the topic of this book fits in perfectly. Jade is poor and black, and must learn how to navigate a world she's never been privvy to, whereas her mentor, Maxine, is black and comes from money, and must learn how to understand how and why her privilege and oppression mix to create an uncomfortable dynamic.
Speaking one's truth, using one's voice, and taking a stand for what you believe in are all important themes from this book. Where The Hate U Give uses the same themes in a very external, community-impacting way, Piecing Me Together uses these themes to make an impact on a personal level.
Overall, this book is so incredibly amazing, and so worth the read. I highly urge everybody to read it and experience the wonderfulness that this book offers!
Review cross-listed here!
When Jade is recruited for Women to Women, a program for "at risk" black girls, she feels more than uncomfortable. Is she at risk because she's poor? Because she's black? Because she's at this school on a scholarship? How dare they assume that, especially when she has a 4.0 and takes every single opportunity given to her. But when she's paired up with a mentor who doesn't even show the first night they all get together, she's rightfully angry.
This book is set in Portland, Oregon, which is such an important setting for this book. Portland, Oregon is such a neo-liberal city that preaches inclusion and acceptance, but really is one of the most racist cities out there. Given that, the topic of this book fits in perfectly. Jade is poor and black, and must learn how to navigate a world she's never been privvy to, whereas her mentor, Maxine, is black and comes from money, and must learn how to understand how and why her privilege and oppression mix to create an uncomfortable dynamic.
Speaking one's truth, using one's voice, and taking a stand for what you believe in are all important themes from this book. Where The Hate U Give uses the same themes in a very external, community-impacting way, Piecing Me Together uses these themes to make an impact on a personal level.
Overall, this book is so incredibly amazing, and so worth the read. I highly urge everybody to read it and experience the wonderfulness that this book offers!
Review cross-listed here!