beverleefernandez's review
4.0
This book was heavy. I hate that Sandrine (any child for that matter) suffers, often in silence. I'm proud of her for standing up for herself--that's brave behavior!
haholmes's review
4.0
Making the reality of southern poverty and black culture readable is an impressive feat. Sandrine's point of view, though she is a child throughout the text, is mature. She handles varied abuse with such grace as a dynamic child character among stoic characters of both children and adults. The coming of age story line is sometimes stunted as scenes shift quickly, but the segments come together to a completion. I like that the character is an avid reader and uses her cultural history to make sense of the world. In the end, we witness our heroine overcome abuse with hope for a better future.
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