Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson
![]() | The cover art for Piecing Me Together features an eye-arresting collage. I love the interplay of images, shapes, and colors. They are an excellent metaphor for the life of Jade Davis. This budding young artist is constantly in search of interesting scraps, remnants of her world. She skillfully repurposes, repositions, and reframes these bits into something fresh and new. Jade is also acutely aware that her own life is composed of pieces, often seemingly at odds with each other. She seeks to put these elements into her life in a meaningful way. Watson has fashioned a moving story of one girl's attempt to reconcile her present circumstances with her potential future. She finds hope while struggling with reality. Renée Watson's vivid portrait of a teen transcends the page and sinks deep into the soul. Thank you Ms Watson for introducing readers to the mind and heart of Jade. I fell in love with her. |
- Life outside the neighborhood
- Opportunities
- Value of literacy
- Constant struggle
- Condescension
- Understanding difference
- Speaking up
- Fitting in/ Not fitting it
- Living with pain
Tears for Mom's swollen ankles after a long day of work, for her jar of pennies. Tears for every 'almost,' for every 'Things will be different next time.' Tears for what happened with Mrs. Weber, the lady at the mall, the boys at Dairy Queen.
I didn't realize how much I was holding in. How many cries I've buried."
Companion Artist: Bisa Butler
Beautifully crafted quilts by this Brooklyn=based fabric artist are a stunning companion to Watson's YA novel. Meet Bisa Butler. Learn more about her and her craft with this introductory video. This slide show offers a sample of her exquisite quilts. They are amazing. | |