Traci L. Jones

[8/8/23 - Read this again after so long. I can acknowledge it’s not flawless as it has some stereotypes and stilted dialogue, but it still holds so much charm. Spirited Away meets The Proud Family. Monty is literally the best, and I still love sweet, little Patrice. One of my favorite books.]

I have read this book exactly 12 times (it will probably be 13 soon). I didn't know I could fall in love with a book. I connected so much with Patrice's personality. Patrice was an adorable character (soft-spoken, intelligent, and sweet), but Monty was a gem, or better said—a guardian angel. I often joke that everyone in life needs a Monty. Someone who unconditionally supports you and wants the best for you!

"I told myself that the next time I saw something beautiful trying to survive in the middle of trash I'd do what I could to protect it, to make sure it grew and that nobody messed it up. So, I guess you're my flower."—Monty (pg 129)

I bought Standing Against the Wind a few years ago, so I could reread it at my leisure, and though I know how the story ends I still have the same heartwarming feelings every time I read it. The innocent preteen romance, Monty, and Patrice's development keep me coming back for more. Yes, in the background, Patrice lives in a rough neighborhood, has absentee parents (dad's a deadbeat; mom's in jail), feels so grateful to her aunt that she takes cares of the whole family on her shoulders and narrowly escapes a sexual assault.

But even with all those realistic and heavy things, the story is light-hearted. It's not one of those all-consuming, depressing "get out the hood stories". Yes, Patrice does want to leave but the focus is on her intelligence and resourcefulness to win a scholarship to a black academy.

Overall, it's a bit hard for me to express why I enjoyed this book so much without just gushing out rainbows. I really need this to be made into a live-action movie or better yet an animated movie ( I always get a Ghibli vibe from this).… (altro)

Patrice is shy, studious, and out of her element in Chicago, where she moved with her mother after having grown up with her grandmother down south. When her mother goes to jail for identity theft, Patrice lives with her Aunt Mae, taking care of the apartment and her younger cousins, and dreading the walk to and from school where she runs a gauntlet of rowdy, loud kids. Her two rays of hope are an opportunity to qualify for a scholarship to an African-American boarding school and her new friendship with Monty, a boy she's associated with the loud kids but who has taken a protective interest in her. Coretta Scott King New Talent Award.
… (altro)

This book is about a little girl who has big academic dreams. She wants to go to a good university but she can't afford it. So, she does outstanding academically and gets a scholarship to go to boarding school because she believes she can get a better education there. She goes through many hurdles to be able to attend boarding school and this book talks about all the difficulty she is having. She only has one support system which is a boy who she became very close with.Everyone makes fun of her hair because its always standing up. I got a little bored with this book because it wasn't attention grabbing. It was basically the same throughout the whole thing. Nothing really changes, no climax, no suspense.… (altro)

4q, 4p
I read Silhouetted by the Blue in one sitting and loved it. The quality of the writing is excellent, especially the dialogue. There is a lot of pressure on the main charcter of this book and the pacing of the writing makes this stick out even more. I think the popularity of the book would be considerable, especially given how the characters deal with family trouble with which many people could identify.

I liked this booky by Traci Jones and would suggest it to others without reservation. The role of depression in Serena's life as well as her brother and father was rather compelling. The "blue" metaphor worked for me and I liked the family grew aware of the father's depression only over time. That seems realisic and makes the conflict more believable. The often strained but always caring relationship between her and her little brother was one of my favorite parts. I responded both the Serena's strength and fragility. The final few pages were as emotional a ride as I've had from a book recently.… (altro)