'If You Come Softly' by Jacqueline Woodson is a poignant young adult novel that explores the interracial romance between Ellie, a white Jewish girl, and Jeremiah, a black boy, who meet at a prestigious prep school in New York City. The story delves into their blossoming relationship, the challenges they face due to societal prejudices, and the tragic events that unfold, all narrated in a lyrical and sensitive writing style that captures the emotions and struggles of the young protagonists.

Woodson skillfully weaves together themes of love, race, family dynamics, and societal acceptance in 'If You Come Softly', creating a compelling narrative that resonates with readers. Through the alternating perspectives of Ellie and Jeremiah, the author offers a nuanced exploration of their individual experiences, their deepening connection, and the impact of external pressures on their relationship, resulting in a moving and thought-provoking story that lingers in the hearts of readers.

Characters:

The characters are complex and relatable, offering rich emotional depth and personal struggles.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is an emotionally resonant blend of simple, lyrical prose that effectively conveys complex themes and character emotions.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around Elijah, a Jewish girl, and Jeremiah, a black boy, as they navigate their burgeoning love in the face of racism and tragedy.

Setting:

The setting effectively captures the dichotomy of privilege and prejudice in contemporary urban society.

Pacing:

The pacing is well-balanced, keeping readers engaged while building towards an impactful conclusion.

JEREMIAH WAS BLACK. HE COULD FEEL IT. THE WAY THE sun pressed down hard and hot on his skin in the summer. Sometimes it felt like he sweated black beads of oil. He felt warm inside his skin, protected...

Notes:

The novel features an interracial romance between Ellie, a Jewish girl from Manhattan, and Jeremiah, a Black boy from Brooklyn.

The story takes place at Percy Academy, a prestigious prep school where both characters are new students.

Ellie's mother abandoned her family twice, resulting in Ellie having trust issues.

Jeremiah's father is a famous movie producer, while his mother is a well-known author, showcasing a contrast in family dynamics.

The book explores themes of love, race, prejudice, and the impact of family on personal relationships.

Jeremiah is tragically shot by police while running in a predominantly white neighborhood, highlighting issues of racial profiling and violence.

The narrative is told from alternating perspectives—Ellie's in first person and Jeremiah's in third person.

This story can be seen as a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet, focusing on the difficulties faced by interracial couples.

The book has been recognized with awards like the Black Eyed Susan Book Award and was nominated as one of ALA's Best Young Adult Books.

Jacqueline Woodson uses a lyrical writing style that resonates with both young adults and older readers.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains triggers related to racial violence and police brutality, particularly regarding the tragic fate of a main character.

Has Romance?

The romance between Ellie and Jeremiah is a central element of the story, characterized by deep emotional connection and struggles against societal norms.

From The Publisher:

A lyrical story of star-crossed love perfect for readers of The Hate U Give, by National Ambassador for Children's Literature Jacqueline Woodson

Jeremiah feels good inside his own skin. That is, when he's in his own Brooklyn neighborhood. But now he's going to be attending a fancy prep school in Manhattan, and black teenage boys don't exactly fit in there. So it's a surprise when he meets Ellie the first week of school. In one frozen moment their eyes lock, and after that they know they fit together-even though she's Jewish and he's black. Their worlds are so different, but to them that's not what matters. Too bad the rest of the world has to get in their way.

Jacqueline Woodson's work has been called "moving and resonant" (Wall Street Journal) and "gorgeous" (Vanity Fair). Now celebrating its twentieth anniversary, and including a new preface by the author, If You Come Softly is a powerful story of interracial love that leaves readers wondering "why" and "if only . . ."

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About the Author:

Jacqueline Woodson (www.jacquelinewoodson.com) is the recipient of a 2020 MacArthur Fellowship, the 2020 Hans Christian Andersen Award, the 2018 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, and the 2018 Children's Literature Legacy Award. She was the 2018-2019 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, and in 2015, she was named the Young People's Poet Laureate by the Poetry Foundation. She received the 2014 National Book Award for her New York Times bestselling memoir Brown Girl Dreaming, which was also a recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award, a Newbery Honor, the NAACP Image Award, and a Sibert Honor. She wrote the adult books Red at the Bone, a New York Times bestseller, and Another Brooklyn, a 2016 National Book Award finalist. Born in Columbus, Ohio, Jacqueline grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from college with a B.A. in English. She is the author of dozens of award-winning books for young adults, middle graders, and children; among her many accolades, she is a four-time Newbery Honor winner, a four-time National Book Award finalist, and a three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner. Her books include Coretta Scott King Award winner Before the Ever After; New York Times bestsellers The Day You Begin and Harbor Me; The Other Side, Each Kindness, Caldecott Honor book Coming On Home Soon; Newbery Honor winners Feathers, Show Way, and After Tupac and D Foster; and Miracle's Boys, which received the LA Times Book Prize and the Coretta Scott King Award. Jacqueline is also a recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement for her contributions to young adult literature and a two-time winner of the Jane Addams Children's Book Award. She lives with her family in Brooklyn, New York.

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If You Come Softly

Jacqueline Woodson