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The Color War
THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR PRESENTS A MOVING STORY ABOUT THE SUMMER THAT CHANGED A BOY’S LIFE FOREVER.
Jodi Picoult is one of the most beloved authors of our time. Her many novels, consistently topping both national and international bestseller lists ("Sing You Home," "My Sister’s Keeper," "Nineteen Minutes"), are celebrated for addressing controversial issues with courage, grace, and empathy. In her new Byliner Original, "The Color War," she showcases her versatility and storytelling gifts once again with a moving and revealing portrait of a boy coming of age in an America where the lines between black and white, rich and poor, and insider and outsider too often divide minds and hearts and separate a child from his own sense of promise.
All Raymond wants to do is hang out with his best friend, Monroe, but life has other plans. This summer, his mother has decided to send him to Bible camp for inner-city kids. On the bus there, he dreams of the best night of his life, when he and Monroe slipped away from home and jumped the turnstiles to ride the subway to downtown Boston on New Year’s Eve. The elaborate ice sculptures on display thrilled them, especially an angel with outstretched wings that glowed ghostly in the night. Raymond wakes on the bus to what he takes for another angel: Melody, a camp counselor and lifeguard. Like all the staff, she’s white. Pretty, blond, and friendly, she’s the person Raymond most wants to impress during the Color War, the camp’s sports competition, and to whom he confesses his most painful secret, a loss that has made him grow up far too fast and left him wise beyond his mere nine years.
Will Raymond manage to connect to Melody—or anyone—when he’s so far from what he’s known and loved? Or will he discover that sometimes the road to hell is paved with good intentions? A searing look at race and what it means to survive our own color wars.
Jodi Picoult is one of the most beloved authors of our time. Her many novels, consistently topping both national and international bestseller lists ("Sing You Home," "My Sister’s Keeper," "Nineteen Minutes"), are celebrated for addressing controversial issues with courage, grace, and empathy. In her new Byliner Original, "The Color War," she showcases her versatility and storytelling gifts once again with a moving and revealing portrait of a boy coming of age in an America where the lines between black and white, rich and poor, and insider and outsider too often divide minds and hearts and separate a child from his own sense of promise.
All Raymond wants to do is hang out with his best friend, Monroe, but life has other plans. This summer, his mother has decided to send him to Bible camp for inner-city kids. On the bus there, he dreams of the best night of his life, when he and Monroe slipped away from home and jumped the turnstiles to ride the subway to downtown Boston on New Year’s Eve. The elaborate ice sculptures on display thrilled them, especially an angel with outstretched wings that glowed ghostly in the night. Raymond wakes on the bus to what he takes for another angel: Melody, a camp counselor and lifeguard. Like all the staff, she’s white. Pretty, blond, and friendly, she’s the person Raymond most wants to impress during the Color War, the camp’s sports competition, and to whom he confesses his most painful secret, a loss that has made him grow up far too fast and left him wise beyond his mere nine years.
Will Raymond manage to connect to Melody—or anyone—when he’s so far from what he’s known and loved? Or will he discover that sometimes the road to hell is paved with good intentions? A searing look at race and what it means to survive our own color wars.
34 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2013
427 people are currently reading
10713 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Picoult
112 books95k followersJodi Picoult is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-eight novels, including Wish You Were Here, Small Great Things, Leaving Time, and My Sister’s Keeper, and, with daughter Samantha van Leer, two young adult novels, Between the Lines and Off the Page. Picoult lives in New Hampshire.
MAD HONEY, her new novel co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan, is available in hardcover, ebook, and audio on October 4, 2022.
Website: http://www.jodipicoult.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodipicoult
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodipicoult
MAD HONEY, her new novel co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan, is available in hardcover, ebook, and audio on October 4, 2022.
Website: http://www.jodipicoult.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodipicoult
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodipicoult
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 242 reviews
September 15, 2015
Is it possible to find a story over descriptive? I love descriptions in books like everyone else but have you ever thought sometimes you don't ALWAYS need those little extra details for every part of the story? I'm not insulting this book by saying this but it's just hard to describe completely and that's how I think about it. But maybe this story had more because it was a short story, I don't know?
Anyway, this short story is about an African American boy called Raymond Willis, aged 9 who lives in the USA. His mother decides to send him to Summer Camp in hopes he'll make more friends and gain new experiences after the loss of his best friend. The Summer Camp is sponsored by a Church for underprivileged kids and all of the leaders at the camp are white.
It's a short novel about differences in life and how people deal with it from day to day. I'm sure you can take this story in many different ways when you really start to think about it (race is only one element in it, so I felt).
Anyway, this short story is about an African American boy called Raymond Willis, aged 9 who lives in the USA. His mother decides to send him to Summer Camp in hopes he'll make more friends and gain new experiences after the loss of his best friend. The Summer Camp is sponsored by a Church for underprivileged kids and all of the leaders at the camp are white.
It's a short novel about differences in life and how people deal with it from day to day. I'm sure you can take this story in many different ways when you really start to think about it (race is only one element in it, so I felt).
December 14, 2013
Didn't realize how short this was until I bought it. Not even worth the 1.99. A good starting point, but not enough of a story.
February 5, 2014
Give Jodi a break people! It's a KINDLE SINGLE! It says that right there in the title. Therefore it is going to be a short story - that is the point of the KINDLE SINGLE after all. Short stories are not Jodi's forte, it's not what she has carved her over 20 year career on so of course it's not going to be as good as her novels. The hard core fans saying it's not like her other stuff and it's too short obliviously haven't read her other kindle single 'Leaving Home' which is very much in the same style as this. Her kindle singles are a great way to break up the wait between the release of her novels.
February 13, 2016
I've read a lot of Jodi Picoult books and this short story looked very good. I know she was under constraints within the short story genre but I was a bit disappointed. It has all her usual descriptive language and the story had depth. I was definitely drawn in, however it just didn't completely gel for me. I think she should have kept this concept for a novel where everything could have been developed properly.
January 31, 2018
I love short books especially when they are written by Jodi freaking Picoult.
Yes, it is short and I didn't remember if it said that when I was clicking "want to read" on GR but then again, I have been trying to knock out every one of her books. Just to say that I have read them all. Seemed like a good goal to set when I did and I sort of feel accomplished right now. I have no idea where I am at with reading her books - but I sure hope I'm close to the finish line.
The Color War is one of those inspirational novellas that will grab your heart and make you feel something. The MC is coming of age, while living in America, where the lines between race and class are blurred.
Raymond, the MC, is freaking adorable and I loved everything about him. Then there's his best friend Monroe, who is always adventurous but these two are peas in a freaking pod. I love that he wasn't thrilled about going to bible camp (I have never been and pretty sure I would never be ecstatic about going either). I also really liked meeting Melody, who was one of the counselors at the camp.
This book is super short and a really easy read. If you're like me you wont accept the ending of this book because it just kind of seemed to end. Randomly. I don't really know how else to explain it.
Overall, I liked the book. I liked getting to know Raymond more - especially learning about his "secret". I wanted more but I'll have to be okay with what I got.
Yes, it is short and I didn't remember if it said that when I was clicking "want to read" on GR but then again, I have been trying to knock out every one of her books. Just to say that I have read them all. Seemed like a good goal to set when I did and I sort of feel accomplished right now. I have no idea where I am at with reading her books - but I sure hope I'm close to the finish line.
The Color War is one of those inspirational novellas that will grab your heart and make you feel something. The MC is coming of age, while living in America, where the lines between race and class are blurred.
Raymond, the MC, is freaking adorable and I loved everything about him. Then there's his best friend Monroe, who is always adventurous but these two are peas in a freaking pod. I love that he wasn't thrilled about going to bible camp (I have never been and pretty sure I would never be ecstatic about going either). I also really liked meeting Melody, who was one of the counselors at the camp.
This book is super short and a really easy read. If you're like me you wont accept the ending of this book because it just kind of seemed to end. Randomly. I don't really know how else to explain it.
Overall, I liked the book. I liked getting to know Raymond more - especially learning about his "secret". I wanted more but I'll have to be okay with what I got.
April 12, 2016
"The Color War," is a short story by Jodi Picoult.
It is an inspirational story of a boy coming of age in an America where the lines between black and white rich and poor etc are still blurred....
I think it was about 40ish pages. Just perfect for reading while I had to wait at the doctor's office.
I may have mentioned before that I LOVE Jodi Picoult. I have liked some of her books a little less than others but for me she's one of the authors I will always read. She writes about controversial issues and I often find not only do I enjoy her books but learn things too. In one of her recent books I learned quite a lot about elephants. In one of her first books she wrote about whales. Of course surrounding the animals in the stories are incredible human stories that deal with just about everything you can imagine. Domestic violence, sexual assault, school shootings, murder, suicide pacts, pregnancy, human rights, and many other heavy issues. I may not always love her books but I always learn something from them. She's great with a twist too. In my opinion she's an incredible and versatile writer.
In The Color War we meet 9 year old Raymond Willis. Raymond and his best friend Monroe grew up together in Dorchester. Monroe a bit more adventurous but Raymond but always having each other's back. Raymond is thinking of all the fun things they did back in April, when Monroe was still here. Now school is out and there is nothing for Raymond to do.
Raymond loves his hard-working mother. When she announces that he will be going to Bible Camp this summer, he's less than thrilled. She doesn't tell him it's a charity camp run by pastors and staffed by rich white kids looking to pad their college applications. What she does say is, "You'll get to ride horses, Raymond, and play basketball, and swim." Raymond sees how important it is to his mother and he agrees to go.
On his way to Camp Konoke, Raymond falls asleep and is awakened by what he thinks is an angel.
Sixteen year old, Melody is beautiful and kind. She is a lifeguard and counselor at the camp. Raymond wants so much to impress her.
Will Raymond connect with Melody? Will he feel safe enough to talk about his life back home? Safe enough to to open up to and confess his painful secret?
This was a fast read and I enjoyed it, but I wasn't a big fan of the ending, it was rather abrupt. I did find it interesting. I liked the characters and wanted to know even more about them. I know it's a short story and has to end sooner rather than later, but I just felt a bit let down at how it ended.
It is an inspirational story of a boy coming of age in an America where the lines between black and white rich and poor etc are still blurred....
I think it was about 40ish pages. Just perfect for reading while I had to wait at the doctor's office.
I may have mentioned before that I LOVE Jodi Picoult. I have liked some of her books a little less than others but for me she's one of the authors I will always read. She writes about controversial issues and I often find not only do I enjoy her books but learn things too. In one of her recent books I learned quite a lot about elephants. In one of her first books she wrote about whales. Of course surrounding the animals in the stories are incredible human stories that deal with just about everything you can imagine. Domestic violence, sexual assault, school shootings, murder, suicide pacts, pregnancy, human rights, and many other heavy issues. I may not always love her books but I always learn something from them. She's great with a twist too. In my opinion she's an incredible and versatile writer.
In The Color War we meet 9 year old Raymond Willis. Raymond and his best friend Monroe grew up together in Dorchester. Monroe a bit more adventurous but Raymond but always having each other's back. Raymond is thinking of all the fun things they did back in April, when Monroe was still here. Now school is out and there is nothing for Raymond to do.
Raymond loves his hard-working mother. When she announces that he will be going to Bible Camp this summer, he's less than thrilled. She doesn't tell him it's a charity camp run by pastors and staffed by rich white kids looking to pad their college applications. What she does say is, "You'll get to ride horses, Raymond, and play basketball, and swim." Raymond sees how important it is to his mother and he agrees to go.
On his way to Camp Konoke, Raymond falls asleep and is awakened by what he thinks is an angel.
Sixteen year old, Melody is beautiful and kind. She is a lifeguard and counselor at the camp. Raymond wants so much to impress her.
Will Raymond connect with Melody? Will he feel safe enough to talk about his life back home? Safe enough to to open up to and confess his painful secret?
This was a fast read and I enjoyed it, but I wasn't a big fan of the ending, it was rather abrupt. I did find it interesting. I liked the characters and wanted to know even more about them. I know it's a short story and has to end sooner rather than later, but I just felt a bit let down at how it ended.
November 24, 2013
The story is set in Boston area. His name is Raymond Willis, nine years old who lives in Dorchester. This summer, his mother sent him to summer camp. His mother also told him that he would make many new friends there. Before and during the camp, Raymond remembered of his friend, Monroe, who was used to hang around with him. As the story progresses, you will learned more about Monroe and a girl he met at the camp.
Of course, it was not as strong as her usual full-length story; this one is Kindle Single which has only 34-pages. Some may feel it lacks the depth of story and characters, but I think this one was good with this length. I might not have liked it if this particular story was a novel with lots of dramas. (A part of story touches a very sensitive issue. If the story was longer and had more details written, it could have been hard not to offend some people, I presume...) Not too dramatic, but it was enough: smile, sadness, warmth and a bit of tears.
Of course, it was not as strong as her usual full-length story; this one is Kindle Single which has only 34-pages. Some may feel it lacks the depth of story and characters, but I think this one was good with this length. I might not have liked it if this particular story was a novel with lots of dramas. (A part of story touches a very sensitive issue. If the story was longer and had more details written, it could have been hard not to offend some people, I presume...) Not too dramatic, but it was enough: smile, sadness, warmth and a bit of tears.
October 23, 2014
I've been keeping my eye on Jodi's treatment of race in the last few months as I reread some of her work and I've predictably come up short. To that end I was intrigued by her decision to write a short story centered on race, but not hopeful she'd get it right.
She didn't.
Not only is the story basically one long affirmation of black gang stereotypes, it even has the requisite white saviour, complete with angel imagery. To make matters worse, no real conclusion is come to, nothing is resolved and nothing really... happens. Instead we get a story about a poor little black kid whose so sad about his blackness. I just... can't.
My 14 year old self still holds a candle for Ms. Picoult, but my 24 year old self is growing increasingly dissatisfied. I need the Jodi from The Storyteller back.
She didn't.
Not only is the story basically one long affirmation of black gang stereotypes, it even has the requisite white saviour, complete with angel imagery. To make matters worse, no real conclusion is come to, nothing is resolved and nothing really... happens. Instead we get a story about a poor little black kid whose so sad about his blackness. I just... can't.
My 14 year old self still holds a candle for Ms. Picoult, but my 24 year old self is growing increasingly dissatisfied. I need the Jodi from The Storyteller back.
December 31, 2013
Seemed like the outline for half of novel
I love Jodi Picoult and I was excited to see a free book, even if it was a short story. The theme was great and the concept was good. I think it even had potential as a short story, but it didn't develop into a complete story.
I love Jodi Picoult and I was excited to see a free book, even if it was a short story. The theme was great and the concept was good. I think it even had potential as a short story, but it didn't develop into a complete story.
July 2, 2019
A good story, but I wish it was longer.
June 7, 2018
Absolutely love this author’s short stories! All the feels without the commitment of a novel.
May 8, 2018
The Color War Review
Short Story Rating: 3 stars out of 5.
Story Line: 3 stars out of 5. Lately Jodi Picoult books have been hit or miss for me. It does depend on the subject of the story. Regardless of that I still love her writing. She will always be one of my favorite authors. This short story was about an African American boy who went on a Church summer camp. His mother wanted him to go. At the camp they had a event called the Color War. During that time he got to know one of the camp counselors. She taught him how to swim although he already knew how. He started developing feelings for her. The sad thing was he lost his best friend. He was shot to death in front of him. It was very shocking.
I just didn't like the execution to the story. I feel like it should have been longer than it was. There also wasn't enough character development within the story, but I guess that's normal for a short story. Other than that I enjoyed what I read of it.
There was one quote in this short story that I really loved. I really agree with it.
"Skin color doesn't make you, different," Melody said. "We're all the same on the inside."
Writing Style: 3.5 stars out of 5. I liked the simplistic writing style that she used. I just wish the story was longer. It needed more character development. That's really important to me in a book or short story.
Short Story Rating: 3 stars out of 5.
Story Line: 3 stars out of 5. Lately Jodi Picoult books have been hit or miss for me. It does depend on the subject of the story. Regardless of that I still love her writing. She will always be one of my favorite authors. This short story was about an African American boy who went on a Church summer camp. His mother wanted him to go. At the camp they had a event called the Color War. During that time he got to know one of the camp counselors. She taught him how to swim although he already knew how. He started developing feelings for her. The sad thing was he lost his best friend. He was shot to death in front of him. It was very shocking.
I just didn't like the execution to the story. I feel like it should have been longer than it was. There also wasn't enough character development within the story, but I guess that's normal for a short story. Other than that I enjoyed what I read of it.
There was one quote in this short story that I really loved. I really agree with it.
"Skin color doesn't make you, different," Melody said. "We're all the same on the inside."
Writing Style: 3.5 stars out of 5. I liked the simplistic writing style that she used. I just wish the story was longer. It needed more character development. That's really important to me in a book or short story.
March 4, 2014
I've been planning on reading Jodi Picoult for a while now after hear enthusiastic reports about her books from my book club friends so when I saw a Kindle Single by Jodi I was keen to get it. I'm not sure that this has been the best introduction to her writing.
The story was easy to read, short (as one expects with a Kindle Single) and had some interesting and provocative themes. Nine year old Raymond Willis from a struggling Afro-American family in Boston is sent on a summer camp where he makes new friends, confronts the past (why his best friend Monroe is now absent from his life)and faces new challenges.
Overall, I felt that Jodie tried to do too much in the word space - tackling themes of inherent discrimination, disadvantage, violence, young love and the effectiveness (or not) of charity. While much was well told, some sections differently had the feel of a synopsis.
Given that a long short story is a different medium than a novel, I am still keen to read other titles from this well known author.
The story was easy to read, short (as one expects with a Kindle Single) and had some interesting and provocative themes. Nine year old Raymond Willis from a struggling Afro-American family in Boston is sent on a summer camp where he makes new friends, confronts the past (why his best friend Monroe is now absent from his life)and faces new challenges.
Overall, I felt that Jodie tried to do too much in the word space - tackling themes of inherent discrimination, disadvantage, violence, young love and the effectiveness (or not) of charity. While much was well told, some sections differently had the feel of a synopsis.
Given that a long short story is a different medium than a novel, I am still keen to read other titles from this well known author.
December 8, 2013
Color War is a short story by one of my favorite authors, Jodi Picoult. It is about an African American boy that lives in the inner city who is sent to a religious summer camp that is run by white teenage kids who are not from their neighborhoods. The children realize that even though they are physically out of their neighborhoods for a few weeks that they are not truly separated from it because when they return, all will be the same. I liked this story. I only wish Picoult would use some of these themes on her novels rather than a short story. As a fan, I wanted more.
February 8, 2014
Short story - very poignant. An inner city kid of color goes to a 3 week summer camp with all white counselors. This premise could lead in a number of directions but told from the perspective of one boy who is sent to camp but doesn't want to be there. The reasons why his mom and grandmother sent him become clear during the story and we do find that at least some cross-cultural understanding is built during the three weeks but there are still so many differences between the worlds of the campers and the counselors that 3 weeks can only scratch the surface.
December 4, 2015
Great short read
Great short read
This was a great quick read. I wanted the story to continue. The Color War took on so many different meanings. It looked at life in several different aspects for the teen it is about. We often forget about how some people see the world as being unified as one while others still see it divided by race, gender, social class, and education. Definitely take the hour or two to read this single. you will be glad you did.
Great short read
This was a great quick read. I wanted the story to continue. The Color War took on so many different meanings. It looked at life in several different aspects for the teen it is about. We often forget about how some people see the world as being unified as one while others still see it divided by race, gender, social class, and education. Definitely take the hour or two to read this single. you will be glad you did.
Read
July 23, 2021To short
Very interesting, the story needs to be expanded. Loved it but was left in limbo .give us some more .
Very interesting, the story needs to be expanded. Loved it but was left in limbo .give us some more .
December 18, 2018
Short read, which I didn't realise as it was an ebook. Love Picoult's style but this was too short for me. I missed her detailed writing.
December 28, 2024
An inspirational and enjoyable short story which can be read in one sitting.
August 27, 2016
Ah, good ol' Jodi Picoult. I've missed reading her books. (But her new novel, Small Great Things is coming out soon! Gutted I didn't get approved for an ARC but I'm looking forward to reading it!)
This is a short story (so many people are mad about it LMAO, chill guys, it's a bloody short, obviously it's gonna be short), but still managed to pack so much. God damn it, how does Jodi Picoult do that?
Its focus was mainly on the barrier between white people and black people in America. I always find it enlightening to read about racism in America because as someone who doesn't physically go through that, I will never truly understand the extent to which black people experience racism. It was heartbreaking, to read about a kid who has gone through shit and has grown to become bitter at such a young age.
As usual, I loved Picoult's writing style. She uses such smart metaphors that perfectly fit the situations and I always end up reading the phrases over and over again, marveling at the intelligence. There's one part I especially liked, and it was on POC in the world:
God, so clever.
This book shows the clear lines drawn between the white people and the black people, which is so jarringly obvious, as Picoult shows in different scenes. I'd say that this was a heartbreaking as well as eye-opening read.
This is a short story (so many people are mad about it LMAO, chill guys, it's a bloody short, obviously it's gonna be short), but still managed to pack so much. God damn it, how does Jodi Picoult do that?
Its focus was mainly on the barrier between white people and black people in America. I always find it enlightening to read about racism in America because as someone who doesn't physically go through that, I will never truly understand the extent to which black people experience racism. It was heartbreaking, to read about a kid who has gone through shit and has grown to become bitter at such a young age.
" "Skin color doesn't make you different," Melody said. "We're all the same on the inside."
"The only people who ever say that," Raymond replied, "are white." "
As usual, I loved Picoult's writing style. She uses such smart metaphors that perfectly fit the situations and I always end up reading the phrases over and over again, marveling at the intelligence. There's one part I especially liked, and it was on POC in the world:
"The lines, he realized, were already drawn; even a kindergartner knew that color was meant to stay inside them."
God, so clever.
This book shows the clear lines drawn between the white people and the black people, which is so jarringly obvious, as Picoult shows in different scenes. I'd say that this was a heartbreaking as well as eye-opening read.
December 7, 2013
An engaging e-short story of an African American boy, Raymond nine years old who has lost his best friend at the hand of a gang and now he is lonely thinking of his friend Monroe. His mother recommends a summer camp for inner city kids sponsored by a church.
As he thinks of the good times he had with his friend Monroe, he meets a 16 yr old white girl (a lifeguard) named Melody which is part of the camp leaders. He is infatuated with her and the way to impress her is by swimming. He desires to impress her in the swimming competition. He is wise beyond his years and confides in her as he knows there is a fine line between race and cultures.
Again, Jodi Picoult tackles relevant issues of the human heart in a moving way! Your heart goes out to this special little boy which was beautifully written--Have read all Jodi’s books and she never disappoints.
As he thinks of the good times he had with his friend Monroe, he meets a 16 yr old white girl (a lifeguard) named Melody which is part of the camp leaders. He is infatuated with her and the way to impress her is by swimming. He desires to impress her in the swimming competition. He is wise beyond his years and confides in her as he knows there is a fine line between race and cultures.
Again, Jodi Picoult tackles relevant issues of the human heart in a moving way! Your heart goes out to this special little boy which was beautifully written--Have read all Jodi’s books and she never disappoints.
March 10, 2015
You should know going in that this is a short story. It's not a novel. (The fact that it's only a few bucks should tell you that; also the fact that it's clearly marked as a Kindle single.)
I immediately loved Raymond. He's so young, but he's also so quiet and so old for a kid. It was immediately obvious that something horrible had happened and while I guessed what it was, I had no idea just how awful that something was. (I know, vague. Sorry.)
I wish this could eventually become a full-fledged novel, although I'm not sure I could take it.
I immediately loved Raymond. He's so young, but he's also so quiet and so old for a kid. It was immediately obvious that something horrible had happened and while I guessed what it was, I had no idea just how awful that something was. (I know, vague. Sorry.)
I wish this could eventually become a full-fledged novel, although I'm not sure I could take it.
December 31, 2016
I liked the writing style, but I found the story to be full of stereotypes. There is a poor black boy who is surrounded by gang violence and has a tragic loss of his friend. He meets a white camp counselor who looks like an angel and helps him find his way. I just wish it wasn't so stereotypical. It is really difficult for white people to write from the viewpoint of black people because they really don't understand.
I still love Small Great Things, but it is making me rethink my review and wondering about the stereotypes in that book.
I still love Small Great Things, but it is making me rethink my review and wondering about the stereotypes in that book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2014
A Kindle single/short fiction. Raymond and his friend Munroe did everything together in their Dorchester, MA neighborhood until the fateful day when Munroe was in the wrong place at the wrong time and lost his life to a bullet. Raymond lost his best friend that day. Summer camp was supposed to make life easier, teach the underprivileged kids that their lives could be different from their parents and grandparents. But, could that even happen? This story packs a punch.
December 17, 2013
Very short - short story. I finished this in 2 hours. Jodi Picoult is at the top of my favorite writers list. This short story left me wondering who really wrote it. Did not seem like a Jodi book to me.
July 23, 2014
This is an engaging short story of a young boy and his experience through life so far. I love the way that Jodi Picoult writes and fans of hers will now be disappointed with this. The only real negative is that it is only a short story and I would have loved it to be a full one.
August 11, 2014
A very average story of a young African American boy's summer, written by a white woman. It feels very stereotyped: absent father, racial displacement, best friend killed by bungled drive-by shooting. Not impressed.
December 1, 2013
Feels more like collected scenes in a life rather than a full story. There's not the usual Piccoult twist to the story, but it definitely has a point.
February 14, 2014
Great short story
This is a coming of age story of underprivileged kids learning to grow in an environment of mixed cultures and races, loving and tragedy all in the same book.
This is a coming of age story of underprivileged kids learning to grow in an environment of mixed cultures and races, loving and tragedy all in the same book.
July 5, 2015
Short story! I feel like I need to be in an English class to fully understand the layers that I read...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 242 reviews