Piecing Me Together

Dive into the poignant narrative of "Piecing Me Together," a Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award-winning novel by Renee Watson, that resonates with the struggles of racial justice, gender equality, and educational equity. Published on February 14, 2017, this powerful book has also been recognized as one of NPR’s Best Books of 2017 and has received multiple accolades for its compelling portrayal of a high-school girl's journey towards finding her voice. The story unfolds through the eyes of Jade, a determined African American teenager navigating the complexities of opportunities that seem more like obligations. Attending a private school far from her impoverished neighborhood, Jade grapples with feeling like an outsider and wrestles with what it means to be offered help under the guise of being seen as needing to be fixed. The novel explores Jade's resistance to the mentorship program Women to Women, challenging the assumptions others make about her and the genuine support she seeks. Through her art and her voice, Jade endeavors to make a difference and express the myriad dimensions of her experiences. "Piecing Me Together" is a thought-provoking must-read for high school students and educators alike, encouraging deep reflections on how we understand and support one another while respecting individual experiences and voices in the fight for justice.