pickWhile this book doesn‘t transcend its middle grade designation the way Brown Girl Dreaming does, it does discuss important issues of cultural and socioeconomic divisions in a way that is accessible for a young reader. Woodson manages this accessibility without coming across didactic or condescending to her young audience. I don‘t remember anyone writing this way for young people when I was one, but I‘m glad we have her now. #PenguinFirsttoRead
If this doesn‘t let me down, will definitely go back for previous books - enjoying the characters! #PenguinFirsttoRead
pickWhat a wonderful book! The prose is spare and novel is short without sacrificing any of its power. 200 pages packs a more complete portrait of love, loss, friendship, and grief than I have read in many, much longer, novels. The characters are so well drawn that I know Ellis, Annie, and Michael will stay with me.
This book has been out for a while elsewhere, but it will be released in the US next month. Thanks to #PenguinFirsttoRead for my ARC.
pickThis e-galley enticed me with Rachman, Italy, and art. But this book about living in the shadow of a famous parent, struggling to become your own person, and defining your own success was so much more. Pitch perfect, and full of that rare type of pathos that actually works, it was also full of genuinely interesting characters. Although the ending felt a bit abrupt, it ended as it should, without contrivance. #PenguinFirstToRead
My favorite Shakespeare play reimagined as a Scandinavian noir? Um, yes please!! Thanks #PenguinFirstToRead!
