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A review by lostbraincell
This Side of Home by Renée Watson
4.0
The diversity in this book was eye opening for me and my life experiences. This is the kind of book that makes me go “YES THIS IS WHY WE NEED DIVERSE READS”! This book taught be so much about a different culture, and really you know what, that culture isn’t so different from mine.
This story is about two African- American teens, Nikki and Maya, who are seniors and traversing life in Portland. It explores the expectations laid on them as teens, as well as for being female and African-American. The typical questions most teens face “Where do I fit in?” “What am I doing with my life after graduation?” are all dealt with in this novel. However, they are explored from a perspective I’ve never known because I will never be African-American. The culture and traditions surrounding Nikki and Maya is wholly unique and I’ve never been around anything like it in my own life. This book truly brought me an experience and knowledge I needed. It broadened my knowledge and understanding of another culture.
This story isn’t just some tale that preaches about being African-American and the culture. It is a young adult novel that shares the coming of age story of two girls looking for their place in the world, in a world that is rapidly changing. There is friendship, family discord, romance, sister drama and the idea of learning to accept yourself and others for who they are.
I am so glad I got this ARC because it truly introduced me to another perspective and was teeming with diversity, while telling a YA story. The only thing I didn’t like about this book was that I often like the perspective and writing was more juvenile than a 17 year old girl’s voice would have been. However, at the same time I wondered if I felt that way because I am no longer a teen and just feel further removed from that voice?? It is one of those things that didn’t take too much away from the story for me and I still really was impressed with this story and definitely recommend it.
Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The above is still my honest opinion.
Anna @ Lostbraincell's Bookish Blog www.lostbraincell.com
This story is about two African- American teens, Nikki and Maya, who are seniors and traversing life in Portland. It explores the expectations laid on them as teens, as well as for being female and African-American. The typical questions most teens face “Where do I fit in?” “What am I doing with my life after graduation?” are all dealt with in this novel. However, they are explored from a perspective I’ve never known because I will never be African-American. The culture and traditions surrounding Nikki and Maya is wholly unique and I’ve never been around anything like it in my own life. This book truly brought me an experience and knowledge I needed. It broadened my knowledge and understanding of another culture.
This story isn’t just some tale that preaches about being African-American and the culture. It is a young adult novel that shares the coming of age story of two girls looking for their place in the world, in a world that is rapidly changing. There is friendship, family discord, romance, sister drama and the idea of learning to accept yourself and others for who they are.
I am so glad I got this ARC because it truly introduced me to another perspective and was teeming with diversity, while telling a YA story. The only thing I didn’t like about this book was that I often like the perspective and writing was more juvenile than a 17 year old girl’s voice would have been. However, at the same time I wondered if I felt that way because I am no longer a teen and just feel further removed from that voice?? It is one of those things that didn’t take too much away from the story for me and I still really was impressed with this story and definitely recommend it.
Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The above is still my honest opinion.
Anna @ Lostbraincell's Bookish Blog www.lostbraincell.com