About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle schooler is beginning to observe the different ways families are structured or is starting to use music as a tool for understanding their own identity. Set in the 1990s, this story follows three girls whose friendship is anchored by the music of Tupac Shakur. While two of the girls live in a stable, protective environment, their friend D Foster navigates the complexities of the foster care system and a search for a place to truly belong. It is an evocative look at how we form our own families and find our voices during the transition to adulthood. Parents will appreciate Jacqueline Woodson's poetic and gentle handling of heavy themes like abandonment, systemic injustice, and grief. The book serves as a perfect bridge for discussing how art and media can help young people process the world around them. While it deals with real world issues including the death of a public figure and the struggles of a parent with addiction, the narrative remains focused on the enduring power of friendship and the hope found in shared connections. It is a sophisticated, brief read that honors the emotional intelligence of young teens.
