Some Places More Than Others

Amara has lived her whole life in Portland, Oregon, with her parents.  It's a good life.  She has a great best friend, and her dad has his dream job at the Nike store, so she gets all the new shoes at an employee discount.  But her mother is pregnant again, and Amara can't let herself get excited since none of the other babies ever made it.  Plus, she feels like her fashion designer mother is disappointed to have a daughter who doesn't fit her idea of fashionable.

She's always dreamed of going to New York, and this year she is determined to get a New York trip for her birthday.  Her father has a business trip, and she knows her chances will be practically zero once the baby is born.

When she finally gets her wish, she is excited to experience all Harlem has to offer, but things aren't quite as perfect as she hoped.  Her father really hasn't spoken to her grandfather in twelve years, not since she was born.  Does this conflict have something to do with her?  And as much as she enjoys spending time with her grandfather and her cousins, she can't help but be a little jealous of their closeness, and her cousins treat her like a baby.

But there is more to Harlem than she had ever imagined, and this trip will reveal more truths about her family history and her connection Black history than she thought possible.

Renee Watson's new book is an exploration of family relationships and one girl's journey to find her place in the world.  This was a great book, but it is a bit slower paced.  Hand this one to the kids who like a quiet story of self discovery.