The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
thatsoneforthebooks's review against another edition
5.0
✨ Review ✨ Your Plantation Prom Is Not Okay by Kelly McWilliams
Harriet Douglass lives with her historian dad on an old plantation, and they run an enslaved persons museum on the site. When a wealthy mom and her influencer daughter move into the plantation next door, they start to turn the property into an A-list antebellum event site. Harriet's struggling with her grief from the death of her mom, the horrible transformation of the neighboring plantation, and the day-to-day racism she experiences at school. Harriet, along with Layla the nextdoor influencer and her recently returned childhood bestfriend (and resident hottie) to try to change public ideas about the use of plantation land in the 21st century.
I loved that this tackled really serious issues around race and racism, the use of plantations for celebrations and tourism, memory around enslaved peoples, mental health, Black mortality rates and health care issues, the stereotype of angry Black girls, the impact of TikTok and social media, and more. This does not hold back in really digging into these topics, and it's perfect for YA and adult readers alike.
In places this is really hard to read because of the depths of Hariett's anger and the injustices she's facing. There are also parts where this might drag a bit for an adult reader. Overall, however, Hariett's evolution throughout the book with her mental health, her friend and family relationships, and her own self image really provides a powerful read. I really appreciated this book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: YA with some f/m romance
Setting: Louisiana plantation outside of New Orleans
Pub Date: out now
Read this if you like:
⭕️ YA that tackles serious topics
⭕️ issues of history and memory of plantations and enslaved peoples
⭕️ sweet YA romance + friendships
⭕️ coming-of-age
Thanks to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and #netgalley for an advanced e-copy of this book!
Harriet Douglass lives with her historian dad on an old plantation, and they run an enslaved persons museum on the site. When a wealthy mom and her influencer daughter move into the plantation next door, they start to turn the property into an A-list antebellum event site. Harriet's struggling with her grief from the death of her mom, the horrible transformation of the neighboring plantation, and the day-to-day racism she experiences at school. Harriet, along with Layla the nextdoor influencer and her recently returned childhood bestfriend (and resident hottie) to try to change public ideas about the use of plantation land in the 21st century.
I loved that this tackled really serious issues around race and racism, the use of plantations for celebrations and tourism, memory around enslaved peoples, mental health, Black mortality rates and health care issues, the stereotype of angry Black girls, the impact of TikTok and social media, and more. This does not hold back in really digging into these topics, and it's perfect for YA and adult readers alike.
In places this is really hard to read because of the depths of Hariett's anger and the injustices she's facing. There are also parts where this might drag a bit for an adult reader. Overall, however, Hariett's evolution throughout the book with her mental health, her friend and family relationships, and her own self image really provides a powerful read. I really appreciated this book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: YA with some f/m romance
Setting: Louisiana plantation outside of New Orleans
Pub Date: out now
Read this if you like:
⭕️ YA that tackles serious topics
⭕️ issues of history and memory of plantations and enslaved peoples
⭕️ sweet YA romance + friendships
⭕️ coming-of-age
Thanks to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and #netgalley for an advanced e-copy of this book!
jevon_mommy's review against another edition
4.0
I felt so bad for the main character, Harriet! Homegirl was going through it!! She was suffering from grief, abandonment, emotional instabiity, feelings of hopelessness, and microagressions. I appreciate the mental health aspect of the story and how it was dealt with by her therapist. I wished her father had done therapy as well. *Spoiler*- child losing their mother is at such a young age, if not any age, is heartbreaking to here. This was definitely worth the read.
tinyviolet's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
d0505's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Grief, Cancer, Death of parent, and Slavery
Moderate: Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical trauma
jilly_bean_reads's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
doloresofcourse's review against another edition
3.0
I'm actually disappointed that this book had very little to do with a prom. I think the discussions and history lessons included were good for YA. Heavy handed, but maybe things need to be made obvious for the younger reader. I don't understand why the "rage monster" was included. Harriet's black out rage incidents aren't going to be controlled by a weekly therapist. This was a huge record scratch for me.
overlookingcovers's review against another edition
4.0
TW: Racism, death of a parent, binge eating.
I would first like to thank the author and tbrbeyondtours for this review copy. I am so thankful for the opportunity to read such an emotional and impactful novel. I found myself so frustrated at the way people are in the book, but I know it was an accurate representation. For example, when the book opened with a Karen flying off the hinges about how much emphasis and attention a PLANTATION TOUR put on slavery! I’m not surprised at all that someone could be so out of touch.
Harriet is such a strong character. She has lost her mother to cancer. She conducts plantation tours to people who may or may not listen. She has unintentionally separated herself from her friend group, in part of the “rage monster” that consumes her; all while watching her dad suffer with binge eating. She is so strong, and while the characters in this story may find her “outbursts” against racist people to be ineffective and childish, I think it is a sign of strength. She has the ability to confront people and even if they don’t listen, as least she can take comfort in knowing she is at least doing something- even thought it shouldn’t be her burden to carry.
I highly recommend this book to everyone. It is emotional and raw. There are so many themes that are addressed, and so many discussions that need to be addressed by society.
I would first like to thank the author and tbrbeyondtours for this review copy. I am so thankful for the opportunity to read such an emotional and impactful novel. I found myself so frustrated at the way people are in the book, but I know it was an accurate representation. For example, when the book opened with a Karen flying off the hinges about how much emphasis and attention a PLANTATION TOUR put on slavery! I’m not surprised at all that someone could be so out of touch.
Harriet is such a strong character. She has lost her mother to cancer. She conducts plantation tours to people who may or may not listen. She has unintentionally separated herself from her friend group, in part of the “rage monster” that consumes her; all while watching her dad suffer with binge eating. She is so strong, and while the characters in this story may find her “outbursts” against racist people to be ineffective and childish, I think it is a sign of strength. She has the ability to confront people and even if they don’t listen, as least she can take comfort in knowing she is at least doing something- even thought it shouldn’t be her burden to carry.
I highly recommend this book to everyone. It is emotional and raw. There are so many themes that are addressed, and so many discussions that need to be addressed by society.
mbartman21's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
mtayl104's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
karymatemelly's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0