Behind You by Jacqueline Woodson

     Behind You by Jacqueline Woodson continues the story of Jeremiah and Ellie, two teenagers in a relationship that pushed cultural boundaries and levels of acceptance, even in progressive New York City.  Unfortunately, tragedy befalls Miah, which, in turns, impacts so many who loved Miah. 

     The silver lining of tragedy is that it brings people together, and may establish and/or strengthens bonds.  Ellie finds comfort and a special friendship with Carlton, a good friend of Miah, and a renewed, special relationship with Miah’s mother. The grief they experience is raw, yet,around their sadness, glimmers of hope can be heard in their words because of what and who they are to each other.     

     The voice of others close to Miah are heard, and these, too, are real, true to themselves, and reflect the experiences and realities to which we, the reader, can relate. Woodson’s stories may appear to be limiting or superficial, yet the depth of emotion, realism, and humanity lies in each chapter, and, many times, within each sentence. 

Beneath a Meth Moon ~ Jacqueline Woodson

        Jacqueline Woodson mixes two realities in Beneath A Meth Moon (2012): Hurricane Katrina and drug abuse and addiction.   

            Laurel loses her mother and grandmother in Hurricane Katrina.  She has her father and younger brother, but they don’t they make her feel better or happy the way the moon does.  From the moment she tried meth, she was hooked; it placed a blanket over her losses and worries, and just makes life good.  The only way she can make this feeling last is to be on her own – and with the moon. Homeless and soon helpless, Laurel walks several journeys until she bottoms out, but not without someone to be there save her life.

            While this book has some strong reviews, I thought it was a bit disjointed. The story moves forward and backwards in time, but the distinctions are not always clear, and I had a hard time determining where Laurel was in time and space and her emotions.

            The impact of drug addiction is clear; however, I thought a lot of details were missing that could have added substance and depth to the story and characters.  I was hoping for something riveting that could serve as an engaging fiction story representing real and intense social issues.
            Not only are these types of stories needed, Woodson does exactly this kind of work in If You Come Softly.