What a beautiful book -- about family, about heritage, about finding your place in the world and understanding who you came from. Watson's poems are powerful, and her characters have authentic and appealing voices. Lovely.

I'm not crying, you're crying. Darn poetry. ( )

This is a terrific book about finding your roots, celebrating family and figuring out who you are in the process. Amara is an eleven, about to be twelve-year-old, who has been an only child…until now. Her mom is due in a month with her new baby sister. Amara has always wanted to go to New York, to Harlem where her dad grew up. Mom, who doesn’t like New York, feels that their quieter ways in Oregon is a better place for Amara to stay. Finally, Mom agrees, and Amara sets out on a work trip with her Father to his hometown. Learning about her dad’s side of the family (the rift between her dad and grandpa), navigating a big city for the first time, interspersed with figuring out who she is, the author takes you on a journey of family and forgiveness. ( )

Amara wants to travel to NYC from her home in Oregon with her dad for her 12th birthday, Her mom, 8 months pregnant, is strongly against it. Somehow her mom relents and Amara is off for a week in Harlem staying with her grandpa while her dad works in preparation for the NBA All-Star Game. Amara, working on a family history project at school, discovers her dad hasn't spoken to her grandfather in 12 years and her grandmother died on the same day she was born.
A look at exploring family history (with some question guides in the back of the book) and a look at a girl trying to discover more about her family beyond herself, learning about Harlem, and gaining insight into black culture. ( )

It's consistent. I really enjoy Watson's work. Here, she effortlessly weaves together a story of family and missed expectations with a loving celebration of African-American history. Love it!

I've never been to New York, but this feels like it.

I enjoyed Ava's character. As a kid/Amara's perspective, all you know is that Ava is prickly and always the contrarian. But as an adult, I see that Ava's just a little jealous, you know. ( )

For her 12th birthday, Amara wants to go to New York City with her dad on his business trip and meet his side of the family. Her mother is reluctant to send her little girl to the rough and tumble city and Amara learns her father has his own issue: he and his father, Grandpa Earl, have not spoken in 12 years. But finally, Amara is allowed to go and while she finds out the family is not perfect, there is still love there and it is a part of her. Quiet and thoughtful but accessible to reluctant readers because Amara is portrayed relatably. ( )