This was so beautiful. Jacqueline Woodson has such a knack for writing for young people in a language that they understand without ignoring the complexity of life even for pre-teens. The story of the six kids and the ARTT room manages to tackle a myriad of the complicated life situations that we face from the perspective of children: children with an incarcerated parent, or a parent at risk of deportation; children being bullied, who live their lives in two languages, who are learning the limits that their brown skin put on their freedom. The friendships that these kids forge with each other over a year in class together is a reminder of how community is what helps us to keep moving forward. It's such a moving story in its intricate simplicity.

So, I received a free copy of this book through the Penguin first-to-read program, but I did not have to review it here (positively or otherwise). I just did because it's freaking amazing.