Twin
sisters Maya and Nikki are best friends and thought they had their entire
futures mapped out when big changes start to occur in their neighborhood.
Houses are being repaired and renovated, new people are moving in, and fancy
businesses are setting up shop. This is great news, or is it? Nikki could not
be happier with what is happening while Maya finds herself upset and wondering
what is being lost in the pursuit of improvement. The sisters will be forced to
confront their own prejudices and feelings about culture and community and what
it means to their relationship.
The
subject of this novel is an important one that young readers will benefit from
understanding. Many young adults are unaware of, or misunderstand, what
gentrification is and how it may seem like a good idea, but is actually fraught
with negative consequences. For such an important topic, it is unfortunate that
this book was not written better. The author continually decries the numerous
stereotypes that are heaped on African Americans while writing the white
characters as one dimensional people who embody nothing but stereotypical
behavior. The characters in the book also fall victim to the clichéd habit of
YA novels in which the teens have all the understanding and answers while the
adults are clueless or persistent disappointments.
MS,HS—ADVISIBLE
AEB
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