A parent might reach for this book when their teen is grappling with the intensity of first love or trying to understand the painful realities of racism and social injustice. Told in lyrical, dual perspectives, this book follows the powerful, immediate connection between Miah, a Black teen, and Ellie, a white, Jewish teen, at their elite New York private school. Their love story unfolds against a backdrop of prejudice, family expectations, and the constant, subtle weight of race. For mature teens, this novel is a beautiful, heart-wrenching catalyst for conversations about love, identity, grief, and the devastating impact of systemic racism. It is a profound and unforgettable read.
The book deals extensively with profound grief, loss, and social injustice.
Romantic ContentModerate
Focuses on the deep emotional connection of first love. Includes kissing and intense feelings.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with the death of a main character, which is the result of a police shooting stemming from racial profiling. The approach is secular and unflinching. Racism is not a background theme but a central, destructive force. The resolution is not hopeful, but a realistic and deeply sorrowful portrayal of loss and the enduring nature of grief. It highlights the injustice without offering easy answers.
Ideal Reader
A mature teen, 15 or older, who appreciates lyrical prose and is ready to engage with difficult topics like social injustice and sudden loss. It's for the reader who is beginning to question the world's fairness or is experiencing the powerful, world-altering feelings of a first serious relationship. Not for a reader seeking a light, happy romance.
Parent Prep
A parent must preview the end of the first part. The main character's death is sudden and deeply upsetting. While not graphically violent, its emotional impact is immense. This book absolutely requires context and is best used to open a conversation about racism, grief, and injustice rather than being handed over cold. The parent's teen comes home upset about a story in the news about racial profiling or police brutality. Or, the teen is in their first serious interracial relationship and is navigating awkward or judgmental comments from friends or family.
Age Experience
A younger teen (14-15) may focus primarily on the tragic romance and the intense pain of loss. An older teen (16-18) is more likely to process the powerful social commentary on systemic racism and see Miah's death as a reflection of a larger, real-world issue, understanding the political weight of the story.
What Makes It Special
Its unique two-part structure (prose novel plus a verse novella sequel) and Jacqueline Woodson's signature poetic language set it apart. Unlike many YA books where racism is a challenge to be overcome, here it is an unstoppable, tragic force, making the story a powerful, unforgettable indictment of societal prejudice.
Read plot summary
Jeremiah (Miah), a Black teenager, transfers to a wealthy Manhattan private school where he feels like an outsider. He immediately connects with Ellie, a white, Jewish classmate who feels emotionally distant from her own family. They fall into a deep, all-consuming first love, navigating their different worlds and the subtle and overt racism that surrounds their relationship. The story, told in their alternating voices, is cut short by a sudden, tragic act of police violence. The second part of the book, a novella in verse titled "Behind You", explores Ellie's profound grief and memories in the aftermath.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Miah and Ellie fall in love almost instantly. Why do you think they felt such a strong, immediate connection? What need did each of them fill for the other?
2
The book is told from both Miah's and Ellie's perspectives. How did hearing both their voices shape your understanding of their relationship and the pressures they faced?
3
The end of the first section, "If You Come Softly", is sudden and shocking. Why do you think the author chose to write Miah's death that way? What point was she making about the nature of racism and violence?
4
Compare Miah's relationship with his parents to Ellie's relationship with her father and absent mother. How do their different family lives affect their personalities and their bond with each other?
5
The second section, "Behind You", is written in verse. How did this poetic style make you feel about Ellie's grief compared to the prose in the first part of the book?
