By Jacqueline Woodson
4RBooks: 3.5/6, grades 6-8
Amazon rating: 4.6/5, grades 5-6
Good Reads: 3.72/5
Common Sense Media: 3/5, ages 10+
117 pages (paperback)
Synopsis:
Frannie’s sixth grade year seems like it’s going to be the same as every other year at her school on the black side of the highway. Until “Jesus Boy” comes to their classroom. Nobody that white has ever come to their school. Not only does he look different, but he also acts differently, and thinks differently, too.
Things are changing at home, too. Frannie’s mother is not feeling and the children, Frannie, and her deaf older brother Sean, soon learn that she is pregnant. This concerns them because she has had two miscarriages since Frannie was born.
It’s a cold winter with more snow than usual. This gives Frannie lots of time to consider all the changes, and to start to see everything in a new light and maybe to find hope in unexpected places.
Parental Guidance: medium
Trevor is a bully and likes to pick on other children.
There is an attempt at a fight, but no actual punches are thrown.
Frannie, even though her parents and her best friend are church goers, has
no interest in God.
The new boy is called “Jesus Boy” because of his looks. Samantha begins to
wonder if he is Jesus.
Frannie’s mom has suffered two miscarriages.
Recommendation:
I found this book to be somewhere between a “meh” and a “good.” It’s written beautifully, though Frannie’s inner dialogue may be a bit advanced for a 12-year-old. The interactions between the characters are relatable, as are the worries and concerns. There isn’t much action to this story. More of a “slice of life” look at a 1970’s family living on the wrong side of the highway, for that time.
There are many interesting subplots. You assume at first that “Jesus Boy” is Caucasian, but then learn his father is black and you begin to think he is albino. At the end you learn he is adopted. There is some reverse racism present as he is picked on and told to go back to his side of the highway. It is discovered that Trevor, the bully, has a white father who isn’t around and that is why he is so angry. Sean, Frannie’s deaf brother, is an interesting character and the family and societal dynamics around him are poignant. And, of course, the family is concerned about the mother’s pregnancy.
This is a short book, only 117 pages in paperback and an easy read. I’m just not sure who the audience would be? It comes across as another book for children that may be enjoyed more by adults. It’s more of a middle school book because of some of the themes, and Frannie and Samanthas conversations about God. Frannie also voices some inner doubts about God.. His existence and purpose in our lives.
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