Behind You

"You do not die. Your soul steps out of your body, shakes itself hard because it's been carrying the weight of your heavy skin for fifteen years. Then your soul lifts up and looks down on your body lying there-" (Jeremiah 'Miah' Roselind, preface)


Behind You by Jacqueline Woodson Putnam Juvenile, 2004, 128 pp. $15.99 Romance/Teen/ ISBN-13: 978-0399239885

Tear jerker alert! Grab your tissues and get ready for a dramatic read! I love this story. It has everything. Star crossed lovers, accidental death, ghosts, and taboo issues! I salivate as I type this.

Our story, "Behind You", which is a sequel to "If You Come Softly" was written by Jacqueline Woodson, an established and well awarded African American author.

It takes us on a journey of Jeremiah 'Miah' Roselind who is now a ghost. In the first story, "If You Come Softly", Miah who is African American meets and falls in love with Ellie, a Jewish girl. The only thing this couple has to deal with is race. Their economic backgrounds (rich/rich), schooling (same private academy), etc. is pretty much the same. The shy quiet girl and the star basketball player premise is blah, but Ms. Woodson spices up the love story. Miah's divorced parents , Ellie's supposedly liberal parents (not so), a gay friend who isn't out yet, a dead grandmother, and a streetwise youth all come together after Miah is mistakenly shot and killed by New York's finest in Central Park. We learn through each character what happened and how they are coping with his death and their own lives. Did I mention the dead? Yes, even the dead have their say in this story. Especially Miah who cannot help but look 'behind' as each character keeps him drawn to the earth by their grief. His grandmother is a jewel as she tells him to leave the living alone and get on with his new afterlife. The author takes us on a year- long discovery as she weaves everyone's tale and brings them closer together. In telling each story, she brings the reader into relatable situations.

This book has been compared to stories like The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold and movies like "Ghost" where the deceased are looking out and helping their loved ones. This is a definite teen read; and adults will like this moving story of young love as well. I also love the fact that Ms. Woodson did not drag her readers through endless pages of dribble. Reluctant readers will like the short chapters and realistic language and tone of the characters.

Royal readers, I must take a moment to say the problem I have with most African American Young Adult Literature is that it is predictable. Most stories are set in the hood and remind you of trashy talk shows. All black teens do not relate to this! This was not my reality either. I am glad that I could find another author besides Walter Dean Myers who touches upon other issues in the African American community. With renewed hope, I will be looking for more authors who dare to risk showing another side of African American life. For this reason, dear readers, I will be featuring Ms. Woodson in my Young Adult Author Pathfinder.



Royal Recommendations (click a book jacket):







Queenie

There's Snow Business Like Show Business

Royal Readers,

I am snowed in up to my eyeballs! Literally! I am 5'4 okay 5'3 and 3/4; I hold on to the 3/4, thank you. Snowmaggedon, Snowppolooza, Snowicane, whatever! A week off (well it will be made up later) and five pounds later, I will be blogging my next review within twenty-four hours. So dahlings, look out!

I have read three more books. I must say that I will try very hard not to interject too much! Controversial and taboo issues, killer teens, and a possible arranged marriage in the near future. Whew! That was just in one book!

I know you can't wait, so I'll see ya soon,

Queenie

Working My Savvy!

Savvy by Ingrid Law Penguin Group (USA), 2008, 352 pp. $16.99 Adventure/Teen/ ISBN: 0803733062




Tweens and Teens (ages 11-14) will like this book!

“Your savvy’s in your blood. It’s an inheritance, like your brown eyes or your grandma’s long toes or her talent for dancing to polka music.” (Grandpa, p. 121)
Mississippi "Mibs" Beaumont is about to turn thirteen. Now for most tweens, this is a major turning point in their lives. Issues like: body changes, maturing, DATING (well maybe not), but thinking about dating, HIGH SCHOOL, just to name a few. However, Mibs is a Beaumont; and in her family, thirteen is a time to inherit their 'savvy'.

Savvy is defined by The Merriam Webster Dictionary as having practical know-how (knowledge of how to do something smoothly and efficiently). Dahlings, this super family has a mother who is perfect-literally, brothers who can control electricity and the weather, a grandfather who can shake up the earth, and a grandma who could catch radio waves in a jar. Then, two days before her birthday, her father gets into a terrible car accident and is hospitalized in another town. Her perfect mother and electric older brother leave the rest of the children to get to him. On the day of her birthday, she discovers her savvy or does she? Adamant that her savvy is going to help save her father, Mibs determines a way to get to the hospital in the next town. She ends up on a traveling bible salesman's pink bus with two of her brothers and the preacher's two children. Did I mention that the preacher's son, has a crush on her? But don't worry, the story doesn't get all mushy-hint: yes there is a little kissing. The story highlights the ups and downs of their journey to the hospital-where, in the end, Mibs's savvy (she can hear the thoughts and feelings of people with ink on their skin) just might save the day.

As I was reading this delightful story, I thought a little of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter, who learns how to use his powers while on a quest. If Mibs did not inherit special powers, I still think that this book would have been hilarious as she and her companions use their 'ordinary' talents to see a loved one. In the end, savvy in Savvy is not about 'magic' at all. It's about using what you have to get what you need.

Tweens and teens alike will be able to identify with the heroine, Mibs, as she comes of age. Finding out what's special about herself, not just her 'savvy', as well as, discovering first love and a kiss. Young adult readers, whether they will admit it or not will even be able to relate to when the going gets tough that in the end, family and friends are what's important.

After you read Savvy, you might want to check out these books about children who have special gifts:

Thirteenth Child, Patricia C. Wrede Scholastic.com

Undine, Penni Russon Scholastic.com

Queenie