I was really ready to love this one, but I hate to say I didn’t. While the message/content was absolutely worthwhile, the execution felt a little heavy handed to me, especially for middle grade. I was also disappointed by the depiction of Native Americans, primarily presenting stereotypes without counterbalancing them, and situating Lenape people only in a historical, but not present day context. That said, Woodson is still a youth lit icon. I just didn’t love this one personally.

Astounding. Sparse but packing a powerful punch, brief but just so full. I came for the story, but stayed enraptured for the magical realism, the inventive verse, and the piercingly real perspective. I felt like I was there with him the whole way. And the ending was brilliant.

Closer to 4.5. A beautifully woven, quiet, thoughtful YA novel. I loved the main character and her astute reflections on her life, relationships, and community. I loved how her art was incorporated as a theme. I loved how unafraid the author was in portraying the discomfort of discussing race and class issues. The whole novel just felt so unreservedly true, in the deepest sense of the word.