I have loved Jesmyn Ward's work ever since I was introduced to it through a book club reading Men We Reaped. She contributes to an important conversation - one that I definitely want to be part of. If I had the opportunity to hear her speak, I would definitely take it. To some extent, that is what Navigate Your Stars brings. It encapsulates Ms. Ward's 2018 address at the Tulane commencement. If reflective, meditative, inspiration is for you, so is this book.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2020/12/navigate-your-stars.html ( )

A short but powerful book based on Ward’s 2018 commencement speech at Tulane University. It underscores the importance of both determination and family. It also offers beautiful illustrations done by Gina Triplett.
I received this book as an arc in exchange for my honest review. ( )

Navigate Your Stars, Jesmyn Ward
Having read several books by this author, I eagerly looked forward to reading her latest brief, but very poignant, beautifully illustrated, inspirational book. I received an uncorrected proof which I immediately sat down and read. I was not disappointed.
The prose is easy to read, her suggestions are common sense and her background is similar to mine in many ways. I am sure there are many others who will also identify with her experiences and her advice.
The environment in which my family lived was hostile for religious and other reasons. Jesmyn Ward’s environment was hostile for racial and economic reasons. Her parents, like mine, encouraged her to work hard to get ahead; to do this, she, like I, was told to “go to college”. Some doors were closed to us, some remain closed today. I found it inspiring that we had so much in common, especially with regard to a philosophy of life that was imparted to us by our parents.
Jesmyn gives the reader a more considered piece of advice than our parents gave us. She advises that after we work hard, we should keep working hard, we should not give up. If we don’t succeed, we should persist, have patience and keep trying. I think it is great advice from a great author!
Also, I think this book can show the world that race and creed are not the roadblocks to unity that we make them. We actually might have far more in common if we stopped and truly got to know each other. In the current political environment, it is really good advice to keep on trying! ( )