Book Review: Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson

4.5*****

Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson is the sort of quiet, underrated book that really deserves more attention. It is probably not dramatic or dark enough to make much of a wave. However, it is so relevant and really makes you think about race in this country and also about the enormous hurdles faced by families living in poverty. The main character, Jade, is smart and thoughtful, but she is also frustrated and I really felt for her. All she wants is fairness, and it made me sad to see her grapple with a world that is often so unfair, and to think about the many, many people in similar situations. Of course, no matter where we come from, no matter what color our skin, we all have problems and we all feel the world is unfair at times, but people living the way Jade and her family did in the book struggle on a day-to-day basis with things we often take for granted, like getting regular, healthy meals. I thought The Hate U Give was great, but I do think this book deserves as much attention. Both focus on racial identity, in and outside of the black community and offer insight we should all consider as we try to make the world a better place for everyone. It is a simple story, yet it really made me think. I also liked that the author lent much attention to different female relationships in the book. Jade and her neighborhood friend, Lee Lee, her white school friend, Sam, her mother, her mentor, her high school counselor. It's a short book, but I know I'll remember it for some time and would highly recommend it!