This book came into my life exactly when I needed it. As I struggle to find a neighborhood and school that balances diversity with a good education, I've found myself using some of the same logic and making some of the same assumptions to justify my top and bottom choices as these parents. Raised in a middle class white family, I've used some of the same coding that the parents use and have struggled with some of the same points. Growing up in a small, rural town with little diversity, I also saw my childhood thoughts reflected in some of these children. I don't want my child to grow up sheltered in a white privileged community because it's important for the development of his worldview that he is surrounded by people of different races and class. While the author didn't explicitly state an answer, she did help me work through my struggle to identify where I want to live and raise my child. All white parents should read this book.

Loved this book! I gobbled it up in two sittings within half a day. Loved the flow, loved the characters, loved the story line, loved how well she described awkward teenage thoughts and feelings. I'll probably go back later and read it slower so I can appreciate the word play better.

I wish I could rate this higher, but I was a little disappointed. The voice came through in the weird ramblings and jokes, but the overall stories were boring. Maybe it's better when she reads it? Strange foreshadowing that Retta beat out Ellie for the role of Donna on Parks & Rec and Retta's book was much funnier than Ellie's. Sorry, Ellie. Write more about your acting or parenting. Those were the best parts of the book.

I learned a lot reading this book. I especially like how she explains that we assume racists are people who are intentionally mean and harmful to people of color when in fact racism is more than a good/bad binary. The first step to becoming a better, not so racist person is to admit that you're white and therefore have been raised in a way that perpetuates racism whether you're conscious of it or not. It's only by admitting your privilege that you can begin to learn and grow. In DiAngelo's words, "My investments are reinforced every day in mainstream society. I did not set up this system, but it does unfairly benefit me, I do use it to my advantage, and I am responsible for interrupting it. I need to work hard to change my role in this system." It'll be uncomfortable, but it's necessary to interrupt the white supremacy of our culture.