From the Bookshelf of La Crescent Public Library…

[close] Our book club read this as our June pick and everyone really enjoyed it. It was the perfect timeframe as the book takes place in June and July.

The author has a great book kit available and our club loved looking at the playlist and seeing what other authors inspired Kai Harris. The discussion questions were good and we spent a lot of time talking about how trauma impacts families. Everyone felt for KB, who at 10, had to make a lot of grownup decisions and thoughts. She is incredibly perceptive, but faced with a lot of unknowns, secrets, and abuse.

The favorite character that stood out was Granddaddy, and readers liked to discuss how his character may have changed and were curious about backstory. His role in the feud with the neighbor was a scene that stood out.

An excellent discussion book and one that does just what the author describes in chronicling Black girlhood and all its ups and downs. It opened the eyes of many readers, while still resonating about childhood, the power of books, and family relationships.