feathers

Just a quick report on what, I think, is the best Jacqueline Woodson book I’ve read so far: feathers.  Published in 2007, this middle grade novel won the Newbery Honor Award, and tells the story of a group of sixth-grade students who question whether a new student in their class might actually be Jesus.  With white skin and long, curly hair, “the Jesus Boy” does seem to have an otherworldly quality about him.  When another mixed-race boy in the class starts to torment him, the Jesus Boy initially responds with Christ-like forbearance, prompting speculation that he didn’t just come from across the highway (where the white folks live), but from heaven above.  I have to give it to Ms. Woodson for coming up with the most original ideas for her books.  This novel, like the others of hers I’ve read, is short, but this one feels like it has a beginning, middle, and end; yes, someone has died and is being fondly remembered, but there *is* dramatic action on multiple fronts: Frannie’s mother, who has had more than one miscarriage, is pregnant again; her deaf older brother wishes he could connect with girls in the hearing world; and the Jesus Boy seems to be irresistibly drawn to her, in and out of school (prompting the class bully to call her “Mrs. Jesus”).  All the characters in the book meditate on the concept of hope, and at times the 11-year olds make profound remarks about religion that seem rather mature.  But all in all the book is graceful, tender, and quiet, and shows that a loving African American family can thrive despite economic hardship and social segregation.  If you had to recommend a book to someone who’d never read a book about black people before, this book (and this author in general) would be a great choice.