Synopses & Reviews
All Amara wants for her birthday is to visit her father's family in New York City — Harlem, to be exact. She can't wait to finally meet her Grandpa Earl and cousins in person, and to stay in the brownstone where her father grew up. Maybe this will help her understand her family — and herself — in new way.
But New York City is not exactly what Amara thought it would be. It's crowded, with confusing subways, suffocating sidewalks, and her father is too busy with work to spend time with her and too angry to spend time with Grandpa Earl. As she explores, asks questions, and learns more and more about Harlem and about her father and his family history, she realizes how, in some ways more than others, she connects with him, her home, and her family.
Review
"Watson is a master at character development ... she seamlessly explores issues of identity, self, and family acceptance... A moving exploration of the places we come from and the people who shape us-not to be missed." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Watson creates characters that pop. . . . Satisfying in many ways." Booklist
Review
"A meaningful opportunity for students-particularly those in underrepresented communities-to celebrate themselves and their identities." School Library Connection, starred review
About the Author
Renée Watson is a New York Times bestselling author. Her novel, Piecing Me Together, received a Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award. Her books include Ways to Make Sunshine, Some Places More Than Others, This Side of Home, What Momma Left Me, Betty Before X, cowritten with Ilyasah Shabazz, and Watch Us Rise, cowritten with Ellen Hagan, as well as two acclaimed picture books: A Place Where Hurricanes Happen and Harlem's Little Blackbird, which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Renée grew up in Portland, Oregon, and splits her time between Portland and New York City.