Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by feministfaereads87
Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson
5.0
I picked this book up on a whim at the library because the beautiful cover caught my eyes, and needless to say, the inside of the book was even more beautiful.
this book was eye opening in so many ways. i've learned about the cruel injustice of African Americans throughout American history and the horrible behavior of whites towards African Americans. I hear about the continued injustice during today's times. but reading it is as close to experiencing it first hand as you can get. and it is completely different when you are distanced from something like this.
I fell like I've been Sam at some points in my life: disgusted by the injustice towards black people, but unsure how to broach the subject of race with them. white entitlement is real. this book is proof; the news and media shows us it's real. I am a white girl, I know I have less stigma surrounding myself (sadly) and I want to be able to help. this book has showed me that being an ally is a really great start, but it's not where it stops.
this book has such a powerful message within it that I 100% believe in: speak up; use your voice. over and over again I saw Jade remain quiet, and I was silently chanting: speak, speak, speak, speak. I chant this to myself all the time. No one will know how you feel or what's going on if you don't speak. seeing Jade choose NOT to give up, to speak up, to fight, was empowering. she has such strength and spirit inside her. her character arc was beautiful. I'm proud for her and of her. I'd also LOVE to see some of her art.
one of my favorite lines in the book was when her Spanish teacher Mr. Flores tells her, "Don't thank me. You did this." that's powerful and true.
i'm also proud of the other successful women of color mentioned and a part of this book. I'm always thrilled to see successful women in the work world. it just brings me immense joy to see people's success, especially when it's their own businesses or their ideas or their dreams come true.
I should've mentioned this sooner, but I loved that the chapter titles had the Spanish translations with them. this was a feature unique to this book, and since I speak and know Spanish (from school) it was nice to have that connection to the book.
I also really loved the theme of friendship that weaved its way through this book. Jade and Lee-Lee's friendship was easy like breathing. A true best friendship. Jade and Sam's was different. That friendship that you fight for and don't give up on, but is equally as important.
the other enlightening idea in this book was the struggle of being "too black around white people, but not black enough around other black people." it's real. I've seen it. I've read about it. It's a problem that people can't be their real selves because other people will judge them for their ancestry and their culture, what makes them, them.
go read this book please. I should've mentioned that first. seriously, it's quick but rich and deep with heart and honesty. I'd like to leave you with one of my favorite lines:
"Thanks E.J.," I say. "But I think it's ridiculous you think I could only be getting dressed up for a guy."
"Well, you look beautiful, whoever it's for."
I think for a moment and then tell him, "It's for me."
this book was eye opening in so many ways. i've learned about the cruel injustice of African Americans throughout American history and the horrible behavior of whites towards African Americans. I hear about the continued injustice during today's times. but reading it is as close to experiencing it first hand as you can get. and it is completely different when you are distanced from something like this.
I fell like I've been Sam at some points in my life: disgusted by the injustice towards black people, but unsure how to broach the subject of race with them. white entitlement is real. this book is proof; the news and media shows us it's real. I am a white girl, I know I have less stigma surrounding myself (sadly) and I want to be able to help. this book has showed me that being an ally is a really great start, but it's not where it stops.
this book has such a powerful message within it that I 100% believe in: speak up; use your voice. over and over again I saw Jade remain quiet, and I was silently chanting: speak, speak, speak, speak. I chant this to myself all the time. No one will know how you feel or what's going on if you don't speak. seeing Jade choose NOT to give up, to speak up, to fight, was empowering. she has such strength and spirit inside her. her character arc was beautiful. I'm proud for her and of her. I'd also LOVE to see some of her art.
one of my favorite lines in the book was when her Spanish teacher Mr. Flores tells her, "Don't thank me. You did this." that's powerful and true.
i'm also proud of the other successful women of color mentioned and a part of this book. I'm always thrilled to see successful women in the work world. it just brings me immense joy to see people's success, especially when it's their own businesses or their ideas or their dreams come true.
I should've mentioned this sooner, but I loved that the chapter titles had the Spanish translations with them. this was a feature unique to this book, and since I speak and know Spanish (from school) it was nice to have that connection to the book.
I also really loved the theme of friendship that weaved its way through this book. Jade and Lee-Lee's friendship was easy like breathing. A true best friendship. Jade and Sam's was different. That friendship that you fight for and don't give up on, but is equally as important.
the other enlightening idea in this book was the struggle of being "too black around white people, but not black enough around other black people." it's real. I've seen it. I've read about it. It's a problem that people can't be their real selves because other people will judge them for their ancestry and their culture, what makes them, them.
go read this book please. I should've mentioned that first. seriously, it's quick but rich and deep with heart and honesty. I'd like to leave you with one of my favorite lines:
"Thanks E.J.," I say. "But I think it's ridiculous you think I could only be getting dressed up for a guy."
"Well, you look beautiful, whoever it's for."
I think for a moment and then tell him, "It's for me."