If you missed my review from last week, you wouldn't know just how much I loved Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson. I'm honored to share part of the book with you today, as well as an opportunity to win a copy of your own.
The Book
Jade believes she must get out of her neighborhood if she’s ever going to succeed. Her mother says she has to take every opportunity. She has. She accepted a scholarship to a mostly-white private school and even Saturday morning test prep opportunities. But some opportunities feel more demeaning than helpful. Like an invitation to join Women to Women, a mentorship program for “at-risk” girls. Except really, it’s for black girls. From “bad” neighborhoods.
But Jade doesn’t need support. And just because her mentor is black doesn’t mean she understands Jade. And maybe there are some things Jade could show these successful women about the real world and finding ways to make a real difference.
Friendships, race, privilege, identity—this compelling and thoughtful story explores the issues young women face.
The Excerpt
querer
to want
“Now
let’s get to business,” Mrs. Parker says.
I
take a deep breath and prepare to act surprised when she tells me she’s
nominating me for the study abroad program. She picks up a folder, looks at it,
and like an orator who decides to improv instead of using her notes, tosses the
folder back onto her desk and asks, “Jade, what do you want?”
To
eat.
To
travel with the study abroad program. Maybe go to Argentina.
To
taste asado hot off the fire.
To
lick my fingers after enjoying sweet alfajores—the dulce de leche dancing on my
tongue.
To
eat and speak Spanish in Argentina, in Costa Rica. In New York, in California.
In job interviews where knowing more than one language moves your application
to the top of the pile.
To
give myself a way out. A way in. Because language can take you places.
Mrs.
Parker clears her throat. “It’s okay if you don’t have an answer yet,” she
says. “That’s why I’m here. To help you figure it out. To help you get it once
you know what it is.” She picks the
folder back up and hands it to me.
The
front of the folder shows a group of black women—adults and teens—smiling and
embracing one another. Woman to Woman: A
Mentorship Program for African American Girls. Mrs. Parker is smiling like
what she’s about to tell me is that she found the cure for cancer. But really,
what she has to tell me sounds more like a honking horn that’s stuck, a
favorite glass shattering into countless pieces on the floor.
Mrs.
Parker tells me that twelve girls from high schools throughout the city have
been selected to participate in Woman to Woman. Each of us will be paired with
a mentor. “Look at all the great activities that are planned for you,” she
says. She takes the folder from my hand and opens it, pulling out a sheet
titled Monthly Outings:
A
Night at Oregon Symphony
Museum
Visit at Portland Art Museum
Fun
Day at Oaks Amusement Park
“Do
you have any questions?” Mrs. Parker asks.
I
want to speak up, ask What about the
nominations for the study abroad program? I want to ask about that day she
looked into my eyes and said, “St.
Francis provides opportunities for our students to travel the world,” but
instead I ask, “Why was I chosen for this?”
Mrs.
Parker clears her throat. “Well, uh, selection was based on gender, grade, and
well, several other things.”
“Like?”
“Well,
uh, several things. Teacher nominations…uh, need.”
“Mrs.
Parker, I don’t need a mentor,” I tell her.
“Every
young person could use a caring adult in her life.”
“I
have my mother.” And my uncle, and my dad. “You think I don’t have anyone who
cares about me?”
“No,
no. That’s not what I said.” Mrs. Parker clears her throat. “We want to be as
proactive as possible, and you know, well, statistics tell us that young people
with your set of circumstances are, well, at risk for certain things, and we’d
like to help you navigate through those circumstances.” Mrs. Parker takes a
candy out of her jar and pops it into her mouth. “I’d like you to thoroughly
look over the information and consider it. This is a good opportunity for you.”
That
word shadows me. Follows me like a stray cat.
I
stand up. “What happens if I don’t participate?” I ask.
“If
you do participate and complete the
two-year program—keeping your grade point average at a three point five or
above—you are awarded a scholarship to any Oregon college,” Mrs. Parker tells
me.
A
scholarship to college?
I sit
down, lean back in the seat, hear Mrs. Parker out.
She
lowers her voice and talks as if what she is telling me is off the record. “You
know, my son-in-law grew up in your same neighborhood. He lives in Lake Oswego
now. Not a lot of African Americans live there, you know. And, well, he’s a
grown man, and even he’s having a hard time adjusting. So, well, I think this
school can be hard for anyone, but especially if you don’t really have anyone
who, you know, you can relate to. That’s why I selected a mentor for you who
went to this school,” Mrs. Parker says. “She graduated four years ago. And now
she’s a graduate of Portland State University. You remind me so much of her,”
she says.
I
don’t say anything. I’ve already made up my mind that I’m going to do this, but
I’m kind of enjoying listening to Mrs. Parker beg a little.
“Jade.
You’re a smart girl. Are you really going to pass on a chance to get a
scholarship to college?”
“I’ll
do it,” I say. And then: “Thank you for the opportunity.”
She
hands me a sheet of paper with a list of questions on it. “We’ll give this to
your mentor before you meet so she can learn a little about you,” she says. She
hands me a pen.
I
fill out the form.
Name:
Jade Butler
Favorite
Color: Yellow
Hobbies:
Collaging
And
then there’s a question:
What
do you hope to get out of this program?
I
leave that one blank.
The Giveaway
~open to US/Canada only
~one winner will be chosen by Bloomsbury
