A review by chelsaat
Your Plantation Prom Is Not Okay by Kelly McWilliams

challenging emotional reflective fast-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

3.5

The title is not subtle, and neither is this book. Which I think is fine for what McWilliams is aiming for here! I enjoyed following Harriet as she navigates her grief and rage - at her mother's death, at her life living in an enslaved people's museum and dealing with ancestral trauma every day, and at the casual racism of her neighbors and peers, who think plantation weddings and proms are okay.

It's a lot for one 17-year-old girl to handle!! While maybe a bit heavy-handed in its messaging, I think the story and emotions were realistic. I was so proud of Harriet's journey and where she ended up mentally at the end of this book.

Recommend this to any of your friends who think Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' wedding was #goals. (And also Ben Affleck and J Lo's, which was a BUMMER.) 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings