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SILHOUETTED BY THE BLUE

Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Jones
Author's First Name: 
Traci L.
Publisher: 
Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Publication Date: 
2011
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 

Serena shaw is grappling with so many issues: her family is attempting to cope with the sudden and accidental death of her mother and her children's book illustator father is sinking deeper and deeper into depression. The one thing that keeps Serena going is her drive to do well in her school's production of The Wiz and even that is compromised by the increasing responsibilities of caring for her younger brother and the uncertainty of her father's behavior. This contains many of the tried and true elements of middle school problem novels but placed in the cultural context of an African American family. Serena shows the resilience that so many younger teens are forced to find when the adults in the world either cannot or will not provide the supports they need. Ten to Fourteen.

After her mother’s death, Serena’s seventh grade year becomes even more stressful as she tries to cope with her father’s depression, care for her younger brother, maintain her grades, rehearse for the leading role in her school play, and help save the drama program.

Comments

Meeting Notes for November

by ladamson - 11/23/2011 - 5:33pm

Meeting Notes for November 18

Positive Comments:

  • This story offers a good portrayal of an African-American middle class family without the angst of race and class.
  • The family appreciates the arts, and the father is a children’s book illustrator.
  • The book accurately portrays depression and how grief destroys the family.
  • The romance feels right for this age.

Observations:

  • When a character speaks Spanish and the protagonist does not know the words, the reader is not told their translation. If the protagonist does know, readers find out as well.

Concerns:

  • The protagonist seems older than 12, more like an eighth grader.
  • The action proceeds perhaps a little too smoothly and even seems almost gilded at times.

Portrays the crippling

by nschleh - 11/13/2011 - 2:39pm
Portrays the crippling effects of depression on a family. The lackadaisical reactions of the uncle seem unrealistic given the dad has a history of depression requiring medication. Are there no other adults that can be turned to for help beyond the out-of-touch uncle and Alzheimer's patient grandmother? No family friends, etc? The whole situation seems to reach a crisis stage for no good reason.

Meeting Notes for October

by ladamson - 10/18/2011 - 12:23pm

Meeting Notes for October 14:

  • Needs more readers.

Meeting Notes September 23

by ladamson - 09/29/2011 - 10:41am
Meeting Notes September 23
  • Needs more readers.