Had no preconceptions or ideas about this novel going in, just knew I was never a fan of verse novels and decided to just take this for what it is--and I was pleasantly surprised. Though the book is told from the point of view of a child and written in a stream of consciousness approach of her memories and views of life. This book read easily in less than a day and you get this real perspective of how a child feels about all the major events she grows up around--from the sit-ins and marches for segregation, to the Ruby Bridges story, and the precarious position black people find themselves in fighting for their rights. You get firsthand memory of moving and finding family and themselves in New York and South Carolina though never really being settled into each--I truly appreciated her talking about how the way people from the North talk different from Southerners and how this becomes a badge of pride and shame both simultaneously for the Woodson children depending on their environment. I also liked the history lesson on New York with its beginning Dutch settlers and a former Negro slave and the first name of New Amsterdam, the New York scenes were some of my favorites as you meet a Spanish girl and all the food and sights of the wonderful concrete jungle that you will never find anywhere else...such a true portrait as Spanglish and city living that mold her as you watch her grow up. Within these worn and sparsely written but powerful pages you meet their newest little brother Roman, his troubles with lead paint, the tragic loss of their aunt and their grandfather and Jacqueline discovering her love and passion for writing. The book was poignant and touching-- and despite the format this book taught me something and was enjoyable, glad I spent the day with this one and will push this one into a young reader's hands as soon as I can.it is worth spending time with.