This book feels like a tapestry, or a song -- so many themes that move through it and create a beautiful and terrible portrait of Spokane in the 1950s. Terrible, in the many forms of racism that Melvin is in the process of waking up and recognizing. Beautiful in the bonds of family and friendships and moments of empowering self-acceptance. It's a true and thoughtful and authentic coming of age that is extremely well written for the middle grade audience who are experiencing the same awakening.

Things I loved:
Racism is a terrible thing, but our country is steeped in it, and this book does a tremendous job of turning over different stories that reflect that -- from redlining neighborhoods, to segregation in a nightclub, to the various micro and macro aggressions of being a Black child in a predominantly White school, White neighborhood, White town and the horror of Emmett Till's brutal death and display. But also, conversations about Japanese internment and what it was like to be a family starting over after release. And also anti-Semitism's pervasive and ugly face. All of that, balanced against allies who stand up for each other. Girls who refuse to let their Black friend ride the service elevator alone, boys who refuse to let a bully knock their friend down, teachers who refuse to look the other way. For all the flood of racism, there are these moments of resistance that make the book an ultimately hopeful read.

I also loved that this is a book about a person with a stutter, but his triumph in the end is more about accepting the strengths that come from that condition than from eradicating it. The profound message of self acceptance that is modeled by a teacher with a missing hand, and Melvin's own journey are both powerful statements. Add to that, it's just a really great read. Great characters, great story, great setting.

Advanced reader's copy provided by Edelweiss. ( )

Melvin and his family live in Spokane in the 1950s, one of the few Black families in Spokane and in their neighborhood. Melvin dreads starting high school without his best friend--he stutters, is regularly bullied by one of the football players, and his big brother Chuck says he's not going to defend Melvin anymore. But he finds a new friend in Lenny who is Jewish and lives with his mother above the Harlem Club where she works in the kitchen. After the death of Emmett Till, Melvin becomes more aware of the racism in Spokane and learns about the Japanese internment from Millie, his crush. A part of him wants to speak out to the injustices he now witnesses, but his stuttering is a barrier. He soon realizes it is the love and support of his community that enables him to speak out what he feels. The book is based on the author's family history which is detailed in an author's note. Although Melvin is in high school, the book is aimed at upper elementary to middle school readers. A solid and layered story about living as an outsider. ( )