A parent should reach for this book when their middle-grade child is struggling to find their voice amid a major family shift, particularly a parental separation involving an LGBTQ+ parent. Caprice tells the story of a thirteen-year-old girl whose world is turned upside down when her parents separate and her mother, a pastor, falls in love with another woman. The book sensitively explores Caprice's confusion, her feeling of being unheard, and her journey to advocate for her own needs. For ages 10 to 14, it is an excellent choice for normalizing the complex emotions around divorce and providing a much-needed, nuanced representation of a Black family navigating faith, identity, and change with honesty and love.
The book deals directly with parental separation and an emerging LGBTQ+ family structure. The approach is realistic, focusing on the child's emotional experience of confusion, loyalty, and secrecy. The mother's identity as a Christian pastor is central, and the text handles the intersection of faith and sexuality in a thoughtful, direct, and secularly accessible way. The resolution is hopeful but grounded: communication improves and a path forward is established, but the challenges are not magically erased.
Ideal Reader
An 11 to 14-year-old who feels like their world is changing without their consent. It is especially resonant for a child navigating a parental separation, and specifically for one whose parent has come out. It will also connect with quiet children who struggle to express their feelings to adults.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold, as it handles its themes with care. However, parents should be prepared for conversations about the intersection of religion and LGBTQ+ identity, as this is a core theme. Being ready to discuss this topic openly will greatly enhance the book's impact. No specific scenes require pre-reading for shock value. A parent has just told their child about a pending separation or a new partner. They see their child become withdrawn, angry, or secretive. The child might say things like, "You never ask what I want," or "This is so unfair."
Age Experience
A younger reader (10-11) will likely focus on Caprice's friendship troubles, the unfairness of the situation, and the core feeling of being ignored by adults. An older reader (12-14) will better appreciate the nuances of the mother's difficult position as a pastor, the social complexities of her new relationship, and the maturity of Caprice's ultimate self-advocacy.
What Makes It Special
This book's unique power lies in its specific, intersectional representation. It centers a modern Black family navigating a parental separation where a mother, who is a pastor, is in a same-sex relationship. Unlike many books on the topic, it deeply explores the child's process of finding her own voice within this layered and underrepresented context. The focus on self-advocacy is exceptionally well-executed.
Read plot summary
Thirteen-year-old Caprice is blindsided when her parents announce their separation. The situation is made more complex because her mother, a respected church pastor in their Newark community, is in a new relationship with a woman named Ms. Maggie. Forced to keep the secret, attend a new school, and navigate shifting friendships, Caprice feels powerless and unheard. The narrative follows her internal struggle to process these changes and her journey to find the courage to voice her own feelings and desires to her family.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Caprice feels like she has to keep her mom's relationship with Ms. Maggie a secret. Why do you think she felt this way? Was it fair for her parents to ask her to do that?
2
On page 138, Caprice finally tells her parents how she really feels. What gave her the courage to speak up? Think about a time you found it hard to share your true feelings.
3
Caprice’s friend Edith reacts negatively when she learns about Caprice's mom, while her friend C.J. is more supportive. What makes someone a good friend when you are going through a tough time?
4
Caprice's mom is a pastor, which makes her relationship with Ms. Maggie complicated for their church community. How does the book show that people can have different beliefs but still be part of the same community?
