Reviews

Behind You by Jacqueline Woodson

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little0708's review against another edition

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5.0

A thought provoking look at how we survive tragedy and the death of a loved one. Beautifully written!

butyougotmysoul's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

One of the things I love about Jaqueline Woodson’s writing is how deeply she gets into her characters’ minds and how easily she makes them come to life. She’s done it again in this book. The companion book to this, If You Come Softly, was one of the books that was always a favorite for me as a teen, and this one isn’t far behind. The way she has captured healing from grief is so comforting. This book lets you know you’re not alone in your grief even when it feels like you are.

ethib77's review against another edition

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3.0

I read this book with my Lunch Time book Club at the high school where I am a librarian. It was their pick out of 5 options I gave them and I have to say it wasn't what I expected. It is written from the perspective of several characters all dealing with the loss of a teenager named Miah, who was shot to death by two policemen in a case of mistaken identity. His perspective is also captured in the book as he is watching the people that he loved deal with the loss. It was a very emotional portrayal of dealing with death and the unexpected loss of someone so young. The circumstances surrounding Miah's untimely death are woven in throughout the story but are not the main focus, the pain and process these people are going through remains at the forefront.

hldillon's review

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5.0

How can Ellie move after life how she knew it stopped? How can she go on if there is no more Miah? It is a tough fact to face, but everyone learns to move on in their own ways.

Jacqueline Woodson once again created a beautifully written novel. You can not help but to the feel the emotions of the characters as they go about their everyday lives and learn to overcome. It is a perfect companion to If You Come Softly also by Jacqueline Woodson.