Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson

Each month LibraryReads posts a list of 10 recommended titles; this post and some subsequent ones will be an opportunity to comment on several of the those recommendations. The favorite overall was RED AT THE BONE by Jacqueline Woodson, a new coming of age novel set mostly in Brooklyn about several generations in one family. Melody is the youngest, now sixteen which is basically the same age as her mother Iris when she found out she was unexpectedly pregnant. Those two share narration duties with Melody’s father, Aubrey, and her grandmother, Sabe, married to Po’Boy. Woodson is adept at exploring the idea of fate: “Knowing that there’s so much in this great big world that you don’t have a single ounce of control over. Guess the sooner you learn that, the sooner you’ll have one less heartbreak in your life.” Personally, I found the story to be well-written, but mostly descriptive. I think students would look for more action. RED AT THE BONE received starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly.

The Story Of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg

THE STORY OF ARTHUR TRULUV by Elizabeth Berg is a sentimental, gentle read, reminiscent in some ways of A Man Called Ove. The title character is an older man who has recently been widowed and he makes a vow to visit his wife, Nola’s grave every day.  It’s at the cemetery that he meets a troubled seventeen year-old, Maddy, offering her some cookies baked by his retired neighbor, Louise.

Arthur, Maddy and Louise each suffer a loss and their coping mechanisms (or lack thereof), as well as the affection they gradually develop for each other is the heart of this book. Berg is an excellent writer and she deftly explores themes of loneliness, kindness and friendship across generations as, over time, these three characters form a caring family of sorts. 

AUTHOR APPEARANCE:  For those who are interested, Elizabeth Berg will be at the Highland Park Library on Monday, December 4th at 7:00pm.