Piecing Me
Together by Renee Watson
Image:
Genre: Fiction
Introduction and Justification:
The Coretta Scott
King Award is given every year to African American Authors and Illustrators.
These books are amazing examples of writing and illustrating. In 2019 Renée Watson
won the award for her book Piecing Me Together. This book was so well
done it also was awarded the John Newberry Medal. This book is a must read.
This coming of age tale goes through a girl’s life who is dealing with being
different and trying to find a friend and balance. Although, this book was selected
because of its awards, this book will be one that will be passed along and
shared.
Evaluation of book:
Jade can give the reader unexpected insights
into the challenges of being a poor African American woman in a world of rich white
women. Jade talks about how her hair must be braided because she cannot wear it
in a natural way for school. She also, talks about the challenges of finding a friend
and being only looked at as poor and black. In the novel she states that she
struggles to relate to the rich white girls because they have a different life experience.
In their lives they talk about not appreciating and being aware of housekeepers
while Jade’s mom is a housekeeper. She also talks about how the school will allow
her tutor, go to SAT Prep and be part of Woman to Woman, yet they will not let
her partake in the events that are for students not underprivileged. She fights
to be treated as more than just an At-Risk Student.
The book also draws a line in the sand. At
the beginning of the book her Mom is upset that in two years she has not made
friends at Saint Francis. When they are discussing how Jade has no one to share
the look with you know that she will make a new friend. The author provides
foreshadowing of this happening. You can
see that Jade will find a friend. This friend will be someone she can share
looks with, communicate with, and come from a similar perspective to her.
The book also uses
a mixture of precise and figurative language to spread meaning. When Jade
speaks and thinks the vocabulary is precise just like Jade. When Lee Lee speaks
however it comes out in poetry. This poetry is juxtaposed to the precise language
to show both worlds Jade lives in. When Jade is with Maxine and Woman to Woman
is it about being proper and correct. When Jade is at home the discussion
because about passion, unjust action, and fears. As the worlds being to intermix
and Mom and Maxine accept each other, and Lee Lee and Sam become friends the
two languages become interspersed. This culminates in the gallery where both worlds
become one. Jade uses the term “whole” to describe how both world’s fit together
and it is followed by a poem by Lee Lee (Watson, 2017, pp. 257-259) . Even the titles shows
the mixture of precise and figurative language.
Response:
There are some books that change your life
and perspective. Piecing me Together was one of those books. (a) When I
was in college, I got to participate in a program called C.L.U.E.S. it was a
multicultural program where we took a year of classes together, did events, and
learned a new multicultural perspective. The goal of the program was to
increase multicultural awareness. The program gave us mentors and time to talk.
One of the men in my class discussed how when he would walk other people would
cross the street. This statement was so profound. I listened and watched. When
I saw a Black Man walking on one side of the street people would cross to the
other side. This book made me think of that story. How Jade was treated
differently.
(c)
When Jade was discriminated against in the store it makes me think of going to
the store. When I go to the store no one stops me, asks to check my receipt, or
follows me. When my friends who look differently go, they are followed,
stopped, and checked. This is unfair and unjust. It is not something most
people even think about until you see it happen. It is something that needs to
change. We also should not expect those who are discriminated against to be on
their own. We should support them, give them an ear, and believe them. Jade is
a brilliant young woman, but they cannot see that, and she just needs someone
like her, an ear. As she tells her teacher she does not need incentives to make
sure she doesn’t fail, she deserves to be allowed to do opportunities that she
will never get again.
(d) The El Paso
shooting was especially difficult this year. I grew up in El Paso. My family
lives in El Paso. When the 15-year-old girl is beaten up you feel Jade’s
response. Her pain, her anguish. A
conversation in this book summed up the feeling perfectly
““I just…I don’t know. I feel, it just feels- ““Too close?” “Yeah,
I guess.” “And like it could have been you or me”” (Watson, 2017, p. 192)
This was the perfect way to describe it. It was too close. We all
have an experience where it is too close. It is horrible and this simple
section of the book said so much with so little. This book had so many
meaningful parts and pieces.
Conclusion:
Everyone has an inner
battle and challenge. Our background and fears define us. We are not one stereotype,
and no one fits in a perfect mold. As Jade makes her collages, she finds the
best pieces, even the ones know one else sees and bring them together. The book
pairs Jade with a woman named Maxine to be her partner. In this book it is discovered
that Maxine needs Jade. The two work through trials and issues as a team. They
grow together and bring out the best of each other. As readers, it is important
to see this give and take. This book has a lot to offer. It introduces a new
look at history, a look at how we view ourselves, and how others are treated. This
book is a must read for anyone struggling with finding their identity, and
those living with fears.
Works Cited
Alsc. (2019). Awards, Grants & Scholarship.
Retrieved from Association for Library Service to Children :
http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants
Texas Library Association. (2019). Reading Lists.
Retrieved from TLA Texas Library Association:
https://txla.org/tools-resources/reading-lists/
Watson, R. (2017). Piecing Me Together . New
York: Scholastic.
Williamson, O. M. (n.d.). How to Write a Reaction
Paper or Reader Response. Retrieved from Reader Response:
http://utminers.utep.edu/omwilliamson/engl0310link/readerresponse.htm
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