Piecing Me Together

*Piecing Me Together* is a young adult novel written by Renée Watson, published in 2017. The story revolves around Jade, an African American teenage girl who lives in Portland, Oregon. Jade is a talented artist who navigates the complexities of race, class, and identity while striving to carve out a future for herself. The novel explores themes of privilege, self-worth, friendship, and the tension between one’s dreams and societal expectations.

Jade’s story is shaped by her experience in an affluent, predominantly white school where she receives a scholarship, which contrasts with her life in a poor, predominantly Black neighborhood. She also faces the challenges of being involved in a mentorship program that unintentionally reinforces the divide between her world and that of her mentor, a wealthy white woman named Dr. Williams. As Jade works through these tensions, she grapples with her aspirations, personal challenges, and her relationships with her family and friends.

The novel is celebrated for its honest portrayal of the struggles that young Black girls face in a society that often marginalizes them, as well as its emphasis on the power of art and self-expression. *Piecing Me Together* touches on important social issues, including systemic racism, microaggressions, and the dynamics of privilege, but it is also a story about resilience and the pursuit of one’s dreams despite obstacles.