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Feb 28, 2018ranvapa rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This book is multi-layered. On the surface, it is the story of a poor, dysfunctional family living amidst contemporary racism. While the use of magical realism sometimes felt like it slowed down the pace of the story, it was a wonderful addition that forced you to more slowly digest the enormity of the violence felt by the community over the years. There is so much symbolism - most of which I missed. I'm sure this will be a wonderful book to analyze in lit classes. Plot summary: A 13 year old bi-racial boy lives (and cares for) his toddler sister, his emotionally distant and cruel mother, his loving black grandparents. He is estranged from his white grandparents, and his white father is in prison. The mother, children, and a friend drive to pick up the father when he is released from prison, the same prison his grandfather was sent to years before for a crime he really didn't commit. Upon their return, they try but fail to reunite with the white grandparents. The ghost of a boy violently killed years ago in prison and the boy's uncle follow the characters and help pull out the history of racism and violence. Many more ghosts are encountered in the very end. With the toddler's help, the ghosts are able to finally rest - indicating hope.