If You Come Softly
Written by Jacqueline Woodson
Young Adult Novel Grades 7-8
Rating: 4/5

Jeremiah "Miah" and Elisa "Ellie" start out attending a high-class private school and are nervous for what lies ahead. When they literally bump into each other, their head-over-heels romance buds. There's only one problem: Jeremiah is African-American, while Ellie is a Jewish white girl.

Opinion: This book was very well-written. It is descriptive and detailed without being too much. The character's are very dynamic and the reader really gets to know what it is like to live their lives on a daily basis. The interracial romance is well-crafted without being too cliche, however I do think they are too mature for 15-year-olds! Their personalities could be a result of their tough home lives, but it really was a modern day "Romeo and Juliet" because I'm not sure I know any youngsters that can have a love THAT deep. I also hate, hate, hate the ending! Cliche and unnecessary. Their love was proven throughout the whole book, the desperate killing at the end was just plain mean!

Curriculum Connection: This book addresses very controversial subjects, so that is why I would recommend it for older children, bordering on young adults. Police brutality, homosexuality, and interracial conflict are not something that younger children will or should understand. This could prompt very good discussion, or could be done in book groups like we did in class. Anything that is done with this book should be done with tact and careful consideration!