What do you think?
Rate this book
Standing Against the Wind
Patrice Williams was happy living in Georgia with her grandmother, who called her “cocoa grandbaby.” Then her mother lured her to Chicago and ended up in jail. Now Patrice lives with her Auntie Mae, and her new nickname is “Puffy” – thanks to her giant poof of hair. But Patrice’s hair isn’t the only reason she sticks out: she cares about her grades and strives for the best. That’s why Monty Freeman, another eighth grader who lives in the building, asks Patrice to tutor his little brother. Even though Monty’s friends make Patrice uneasy, Monty himself is friendly, confident, and surprisingly smart. When he becomes her guardian angel, Patrice begins to think something stronger than friendship might be growing between them. Still, nothing will stop her from applying for a scholarship at prestigious Dogwood Academy – her ticket out of the project and a school populated by gangs and drug runners.
In her debut novel, Traci L. Jones presents a girl with grit she never knew she had, and a boy so inspired by her that he begins to take pride in his own abilities.
Standing Against the Wind is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year and the winner of the 2007 Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe New Talent Award.
In her debut novel, Traci L. Jones presents a girl with grit she never knew she had, and a boy so inspired by her that he begins to take pride in his own abilities.
Standing Against the Wind is a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year and the winner of the 2007 Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe New Talent Award.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published September 5, 2006
37 people are currently reading
590 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
February 11, 2019
I was recommended this book by fellow Goodreads member Destiny Henderson. She likened the book to a Ghibli movie. As a stan of Ghibli I --of course, decided to add to my TBR right then and there. Problem was I didn't want to spend money on a book I wasn't sure I would love. So I decided to go to the Library.
Now, a small aside, this may not seem like a big deal, but it's been probably close to seven (?) years since I've stepped foot in my public library, I blame it on the digital age. BUT. In honor of BHM and Destiny's gushing review I went to the library. (And when I tell you it was HARD to find, they had it in the African American section.) Where the librarians were super surprised to see me, lol. (I used to stay in the library.) And --this is starting to not make sense, basically I went to the library and got the book (and a few others), which was a momentous event.
To start with, I will say that had the book not been likened to Ghibli I would not have thought of it in that light. However, because I was looking for it I was able to see many similarities between the relationship of Monty and Patrice and many characters in Studio Ghibli's films.
It is these strong friendships, above all (though it is admittedly more of a romance in relation to this book) that draw me to Ghibli. The way that the characters care about and support each other selflessly is something that will always hold the films in such high esteem for me. It is the same for Patrice and Monty. Monty protects Patrice when no one else will and helps her to learn to stand up for herself. While Patrice shows Monty that he does not have to follow the narrative of the life that he is embedded in, he is allowed to be smart. And he should not be ashamed of it. Both characters play on their strengths in effort to help the other be more than they believe they can.
"Well, the whole lot is filled with junk and trash and crap, but last spring, in the middle of the trash this flower bloomed. I'd look at that stupid flower 'cause it was so unique and pretty and it tripped me out that it could bloom in the middle of all that trash. Then one day I went by and someone had...broke it...killed it. I told myself that next time I saw something beautiful trying to survive in the middle of trash I'd do what I could to protect it...So, I guess you're my flower."
That's for the positive. I set the review at 3 stars, but it is admittedly more in the 2.5 range. I just could not deal with the struggle narrative. This book is wholely stereotypical "hood". And I'm just at a point where I can't with the struggle. I don't want to read something depressing. I'm not reading any more slavery books. Especially not in Black History Month. I just don't have time for the negativity. And...unfortunately this book was littered with it. Drugs, jail, not a lick of a two-parent household, basically everything that could go wrong, is going wrong in this book.
Patrices mother removes her from a stable existence in the country with her grandmother for very selfish reasons and ends up in jail for close to a decade. Now she lives in an apartment with her Aunt and two younger cousins (Her 17 years old sister is also "supposed" to be living with there, but she comes and goes). Patrice is basically a live in Nanny/servant that the Aunt gladly welcomes in. Monty's mother is never "seen" but he takes care of multiple siblings all with different fathers (besides one) and it's just..struggle.
Also was very uncomfortable with the fact that the only time I remember skin color being mentioned was with a "pretty light-skinned girl" and a girl named Raven who is described as being "big and black". I don't even get into the colorism narrative as I have never been one to be uncomfortable due to the color of my skin and don't care to read books about it as I don't wish to welcome such toxicity into my life.
I'm sorry to say that all in all the book just wasn't for me. I don't regret reading it at all as there were parts that I definitely enjoyed, or smiled at. However, the negatives far outweighed the positives in this case...
Now, a small aside, this may not seem like a big deal, but it's been probably close to seven (?) years since I've stepped foot in my public library, I blame it on the digital age. BUT. In honor of BHM and Destiny's gushing review I went to the library. (And when I tell you it was HARD to find, they had it in the African American section.) Where the librarians were super surprised to see me, lol. (I used to stay in the library.) And --this is starting to not make sense, basically I went to the library and got the book (and a few others), which was a momentous event.
To start with, I will say that had the book not been likened to Ghibli I would not have thought of it in that light. However, because I was looking for it I was able to see many similarities between the relationship of Monty and Patrice and many characters in Studio Ghibli's films.
It is these strong friendships, above all (though it is admittedly more of a romance in relation to this book) that draw me to Ghibli. The way that the characters care about and support each other selflessly is something that will always hold the films in such high esteem for me. It is the same for Patrice and Monty. Monty protects Patrice when no one else will and helps her to learn to stand up for herself. While Patrice shows Monty that he does not have to follow the narrative of the life that he is embedded in, he is allowed to be smart. And he should not be ashamed of it. Both characters play on their strengths in effort to help the other be more than they believe they can.
"Well, the whole lot is filled with junk and trash and crap, but last spring, in the middle of the trash this flower bloomed. I'd look at that stupid flower 'cause it was so unique and pretty and it tripped me out that it could bloom in the middle of all that trash. Then one day I went by and someone had...broke it...killed it. I told myself that next time I saw something beautiful trying to survive in the middle of trash I'd do what I could to protect it...So, I guess you're my flower."
That's for the positive. I set the review at 3 stars, but it is admittedly more in the 2.5 range. I just could not deal with the struggle narrative. This book is wholely stereotypical "hood". And I'm just at a point where I can't with the struggle. I don't want to read something depressing. I'm not reading any more slavery books. Especially not in Black History Month. I just don't have time for the negativity. And...unfortunately this book was littered with it. Drugs, jail, not a lick of a two-parent household, basically everything that could go wrong, is going wrong in this book.
Patrices mother removes her from a stable existence in the country with her grandmother for very selfish reasons and ends up in jail for close to a decade. Now she lives in an apartment with her Aunt and two younger cousins (Her 17 years old sister is also "supposed" to be living with there, but she comes and goes). Patrice is basically a live in Nanny/servant that the Aunt gladly welcomes in. Monty's mother is never "seen" but he takes care of multiple siblings all with different fathers (besides one) and it's just..struggle.
Also was very uncomfortable with the fact that the only time I remember skin color being mentioned was with a "pretty light-skinned girl" and a girl named Raven who is described as being "big and black". I don't even get into the colorism narrative as I have never been one to be uncomfortable due to the color of my skin and don't care to read books about it as I don't wish to welcome such toxicity into my life.
I'm sorry to say that all in all the book just wasn't for me. I don't regret reading it at all as there were parts that I definitely enjoyed, or smiled at. However, the negatives far outweighed the positives in this case...
August 19, 2019
More like a 4.5!!
So I loved this book and I have come to care for Patrice a lot. I love a story that I can invest in the character even when the book is shorter. I was engaged from the very beginning.
Why it’s not a complete five star is because
1. The trope that “you’re not like other girls” is a large element to why the love interest is into Patrice. And I find that to devalue people or make side characters (no matter how mean) one dimensional. Mean characters have motive most of the time. And nearly everyone beside Monty (the love interest) and Patrice where the typical mean person.
2. The female on female hate was apparent in this and wasn’t addressed, so similar to the first point. But even if the girls were being mean out of jealousy, it doesn’t leave room for growth. That mean girls should be expected and there is nothing to be done, which isn’t the case. Yes, they are kids but I feel there could have been a sightly better display of communication or at least the act of trying to communicate. PEOPLE don’t have to be perfect but not everyone should be horrible, it’s a bit unrealistic and leaves people the assume this is how it’s supposed to be if a person was bullied.
3. MASCULINITY! Monty was the typical boy who protects the girl. Though, I love Monty, he had some seriously masculinity problems. It seemed he behaved poorly and did bad at school because he thought that was expected of him. He was also rude to teachers and the principal.
He does grow as a character but it’s definitely as Patrice being a good influence rather than him learning to be himself.
WOW. This review is long, I just had many thoughts. The books was published in 2006? I think so that’s why maybe certain themes are explored in depth. It is also a very short book.
OVERALL still amazing I love Patrice’s character development and her motivates! The stakes are clearly high and she is learning to love herself.
And though I had many thoughts I thoroughly ENJOYED THIS BOOK and want to pick up more from this author!!!!
(Oh and I kinda wish she found a why to love and care for her natural hair instead of relaxing it)
So I loved this book and I have come to care for Patrice a lot. I love a story that I can invest in the character even when the book is shorter. I was engaged from the very beginning.
Why it’s not a complete five star is because
1. The trope that “you’re not like other girls” is a large element to why the love interest is into Patrice. And I find that to devalue people or make side characters (no matter how mean) one dimensional. Mean characters have motive most of the time. And nearly everyone beside Monty (the love interest) and Patrice where the typical mean person.
2. The female on female hate was apparent in this and wasn’t addressed, so similar to the first point. But even if the girls were being mean out of jealousy, it doesn’t leave room for growth. That mean girls should be expected and there is nothing to be done, which isn’t the case. Yes, they are kids but I feel there could have been a sightly better display of communication or at least the act of trying to communicate. PEOPLE don’t have to be perfect but not everyone should be horrible, it’s a bit unrealistic and leaves people the assume this is how it’s supposed to be if a person was bullied.
3. MASCULINITY! Monty was the typical boy who protects the girl. Though, I love Monty, he had some seriously masculinity problems. It seemed he behaved poorly and did bad at school because he thought that was expected of him. He was also rude to teachers and the principal.
He does grow as a character but it’s definitely as Patrice being a good influence rather than him learning to be himself.
WOW. This review is long, I just had many thoughts. The books was published in 2006? I think so that’s why maybe certain themes are explored in depth. It is also a very short book.
OVERALL still amazing I love Patrice’s character development and her motivates! The stakes are clearly high and she is learning to love herself.
And though I had many thoughts I thoroughly ENJOYED THIS BOOK and want to pick up more from this author!!!!
(Oh and I kinda wish she found a why to love and care for her natural hair instead of relaxing it)
December 30, 2025
[11/29/24
Yeah, some of the stereotypes feel very in your face. But sweet Monty and his friendship with Patrice will always win. Also, Monty said STREET JUSTICE!]
[8/8/23
Read this again after so long. CW - attempted sexual assault by minors
I can acknowledge it’s not flawless as it has some stereotypes and stilted dialogue (Patrice doesn't sound like the average 13-year-old. even back then, would one have said "phooey!", but it still holds so much charm. Spirited Away meets The Proud Family. Monty is literally the best, and I still love sweet, little Patrice. One of my favorite books.]
I have read this book exactly 12 times (it will probably be 13 soon). I didn't know I could fall in love with a book. I connected so much with Patrice's personality. Patrice was an adorable character (soft-spoken, intelligent, and sweet), but Monty was a gem—or, better said, a guardian angel. I often joke that everyone in life needs a Monty—someone who unconditionally supports you and wants the best for you!
I bought Standing Against the Wind a few years ago, so I could reread it at my leisure, and though I know how the story ends I still have the same heartwarming feelings every time I read it. The innocent preteen romance, Monty, and Patrice's development keep me coming back for more. Yes, in the background, Patrice lives in a rough neighborhood, has absentee parents (dad's a deadbeat; mom's in jail), feels so grateful to her aunt that she takes cares of the whole family on her shoulders and .
But even with all those realistic and heavy things, the story is light-hearted. It's not one of those all-consuming, depressing "get out the hood stories". Yes, Patrice does want to leave but the focus is on her intelligence and resourcefulness to win a scholarship to a black academy.
Overall, it's a bit hard for me to express why I enjoyed this book so much without just gushing out rainbows. I really need this to be made into a live-action movie or better yet an animated movie ( I always get a Ghibli vibe from this).
Yeah, some of the stereotypes feel very in your face. But sweet Monty and his friendship with Patrice will always win. Also, Monty said STREET JUSTICE!]
[8/8/23
Read this again after so long. CW - attempted sexual assault by minors
I can acknowledge it’s not flawless as it has some stereotypes and stilted dialogue (Patrice doesn't sound like the average 13-year-old. even back then, would one have said "phooey!", but it still holds so much charm. Spirited Away meets The Proud Family. Monty is literally the best, and I still love sweet, little Patrice. One of my favorite books.]
I have read this book exactly 12 times (it will probably be 13 soon). I didn't know I could fall in love with a book. I connected so much with Patrice's personality. Patrice was an adorable character (soft-spoken, intelligent, and sweet), but Monty was a gem—or, better said, a guardian angel. I often joke that everyone in life needs a Monty—someone who unconditionally supports you and wants the best for you!
"I told myself that the next time I saw something beautiful trying to survive in the middle of trash I'd do what I could to protect it, to make sure it grew and that nobody messed it up. So, I guess you're my flower."—Monty (pg 129)
I bought Standing Against the Wind a few years ago, so I could reread it at my leisure, and though I know how the story ends I still have the same heartwarming feelings every time I read it. The innocent preteen romance, Monty, and Patrice's development keep me coming back for more. Yes, in the background, Patrice lives in a rough neighborhood, has absentee parents (dad's a deadbeat; mom's in jail), feels so grateful to her aunt that she takes cares of the whole family on her shoulders and .
But even with all those realistic and heavy things, the story is light-hearted. It's not one of those all-consuming, depressing "get out the hood stories". Yes, Patrice does want to leave but the focus is on her intelligence and resourcefulness to win a scholarship to a black academy.
Overall, it's a bit hard for me to express why I enjoyed this book so much without just gushing out rainbows. I really need this to be made into a live-action movie or better yet an animated movie ( I always get a Ghibli vibe from this).
February 20, 2011
A good story overall, but the character, Monty, seemed a little too good to believe sometimes. The ending was awful. Way to dump us off at the exciting part! This is not a book in a series.
March 16, 2024
OH MY GOODNESSSSS I LOVE MONTY AND PATRICE SOOO MUCHHHH
December 2, 2016
*** Spoiler Alert ***
This book is really good, I recommend this book who likes, drama and romance. The genre of this book which is Standing Against the Wind is fiction. What I thought about the book, it was amazing. Standing Against the Wind was amazing because it had real good plot twists unexpectedly, and I liked how Traci L Jones described the girl Patrice William's problems and how they can be solved.
Mostly the story would take place in Chicago, like her Auntie Mae's house, and school. Patrice Williams is a high schooler and gets good grades but gets bullied for that. She got an offered to get a scholarship at Dogwood Academy. She has to do specific things to get in the school. One thing that was hard for Patrice Williams was to get the parent signature and social security number because her mom is in jail. She has to travel further from Chicago. One popular boy helps her with her situations and she helps him with his. The conflict I would say would be person vs person because she has to think about a lot to get to her mother for the signature and would it Patrice with her future. Patrice has to overthink a lot about what should she do.
Let me tell you about one of the quotes that the secondary characters says, it relates to Patrice William's problem about getting bullied. The character's name is Nefertiti, he's Patrice's little cousin and he says "I know, but everyone at your school calls you Puffy, and them boys downstairs call you Puffy, and your hair's all puffy." That explains the bullying Patrice Williams gets everyday, on her way to school and the way back she gets bullied.
In my own opinion I love this book, I think this is the best book I ever read. When I began reading it I right away started to connect with the character. Also because I really loved how the author Traci L Jones describe the main character Patrice Williams, she would add little stuff to describe the character. In the book Standing Against the Wind on page 65 it states "With effort, it could be coaxed into thicks braids and ponytails, or even reluctantly convinced to lie in thick, shiny waves that tickled her shoulders."
I truly give this book a 5 because I could connect with the characters very well and I loved how the author organized the book. I strongly recommend this book to people who love drama, and romance. It would surprise you at some moments. This book gives off a lot of excitement and will make you gasp also.
This book is really good, I recommend this book who likes, drama and romance. The genre of this book which is Standing Against the Wind is fiction. What I thought about the book, it was amazing. Standing Against the Wind was amazing because it had real good plot twists unexpectedly, and I liked how Traci L Jones described the girl Patrice William's problems and how they can be solved.
Mostly the story would take place in Chicago, like her Auntie Mae's house, and school. Patrice Williams is a high schooler and gets good grades but gets bullied for that. She got an offered to get a scholarship at Dogwood Academy. She has to do specific things to get in the school. One thing that was hard for Patrice Williams was to get the parent signature and social security number because her mom is in jail. She has to travel further from Chicago. One popular boy helps her with her situations and she helps him with his. The conflict I would say would be person vs person because she has to think about a lot to get to her mother for the signature and would it Patrice with her future. Patrice has to overthink a lot about what should she do.
Let me tell you about one of the quotes that the secondary characters says, it relates to Patrice William's problem about getting bullied. The character's name is Nefertiti, he's Patrice's little cousin and he says "I know, but everyone at your school calls you Puffy, and them boys downstairs call you Puffy, and your hair's all puffy." That explains the bullying Patrice Williams gets everyday, on her way to school and the way back she gets bullied.
In my own opinion I love this book, I think this is the best book I ever read. When I began reading it I right away started to connect with the character. Also because I really loved how the author Traci L Jones describe the main character Patrice Williams, she would add little stuff to describe the character. In the book Standing Against the Wind on page 65 it states "With effort, it could be coaxed into thicks braids and ponytails, or even reluctantly convinced to lie in thick, shiny waves that tickled her shoulders."
I truly give this book a 5 because I could connect with the characters very well and I loved how the author organized the book. I strongly recommend this book to people who love drama, and romance. It would surprise you at some moments. This book gives off a lot of excitement and will make you gasp also.
January 29, 2011
"Standing Against the Wind" is adorable. Author Traci Jones tells the story of Patrice, an African American girl who, after growing up in Georgia, moves to Chicago to live with her aunt and cousins while her mother is in prison. Patrice is a great character because she contrasts so much with her peers and family. She is soft-spoken, thoughtful, smart, and driven. Patrice can't wait to apply for a scholarship to an all-African American boarding school so that she can leave Chicago where she is bullied by classmates, all except Monty, the leader of the gang that bothers Patrice as she walks home from school each day. Monty stands up for Patrice, and after she agrees to help his little brother with his schoolwork, the two develop an adorable, sweet romance that makes Patrice begin to trust in someone besides herself. Despite Monty's tough appearance, he begins to take an interest in school with Charice's help. In return, Monty supports Charice as she deals with her tough Auntie Mae, her mountain of chores, schoolwork, and relationships with her older sister Charice and her mother.
I liked this book because the characters were real, the problems were true-to-life, and it was just so darn cute! Both the reader and Patrice spend a lot of time wondering whether Monty is as good as he seems. You just keep waiting for him to mess up and break Patrice's heart, but in the end he turns out to be a great guy, showing you that you can't always judge a book by its cover. Patrice demonstrates true perserverance throughout the novel, as well as acceptance of her physical appearance, the ability to others and ask for help when needed, and the knowledge that those that truly love you will stand by you no matter what.
I liked this book because the characters were real, the problems were true-to-life, and it was just so darn cute! Both the reader and Patrice spend a lot of time wondering whether Monty is as good as he seems. You just keep waiting for him to mess up and break Patrice's heart, but in the end he turns out to be a great guy, showing you that you can't always judge a book by its cover. Patrice demonstrates true perserverance throughout the novel, as well as acceptance of her physical appearance, the ability to others and ask for help when needed, and the knowledge that those that truly love you will stand by you no matter what.
April 11, 2013
Standing Against The Wind is about a shy, 13 year old girl named Patrice. She was happy living with her grandma in Georgia, till one day her mom sent her back to live with her and her siblings in Chicago. So she “Could grow up and live with her mom and siblings”. That didn’t work out because her mom went to jail two months later for welfare fraud. Patrice and her older sister stayed with their Aunt Mae. Patrice meets a popular boy named Monty, who asks her to tutor his little brother. From then on they started going out. In late January she’s asked to fill out a form for an African American school in Missouri, because her grades were all straight A’s. The only problem is her mom needed to fill out the parent consent part. Patrice and Monty go visit her mom riding a public bus, to fill out the paperwork. After it’s filled out she turns it in. Early February she’s accepted to Dogwood Academy.
This book was written really well, and the author did a good job at the plot. Keeping it about one person and their problems, instead of everyone and everything about them, so it was kind of easier to keep track of what was going on. The book kind of just went on with her life, it didn’t really have a story to it.
I rate this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. I gave this rate because it would have been better if it was longer. There wasn’t much action in it, but the plot was well planned out. I would recommend this book to people who like short mysteries, people who like the book Don’t Turn Around by Michelle Gagnon, because these books can relate to the characters, who don’t have parents, and some of my friends who also like mysteries.
April 10, 2013
Standing Against The Wind is about a shy, 13 year old girl named Patrice. She was happy living with her grandma in Georgia, till one day her mom sent her back to live with her and her siblings in Chicago. So she “Could grow up and live with her mom and siblings”. That didn’t work out because her mom went to jail two months later for welfare fraud. Patrice and her older sister stayed with their Aunt Mae. Patrice meets a popular boy named Monty, who asks her to tutor his little brother. From then on they started going out. In late January she’s asked to fill out a form for an African American school in Missouri, because her grades were all straight A’s. The only problem is her mom needed to fill out the parent consent part. Patrice and Monty go visit her mom riding a public bus, to fill out the paperwork. After it’s filled out she turns it in. Early February she’s accepted to Dogwood Academy.
This book was written really well, and the author did a good job at the plot. Keeping it about one person and their problems, instead of everyone and everything about them, so it was kind of easier to keep track of what was going on. The book kind of just went on with her life, it didn’t really have a story to it.
I gave this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. I gave this rate because it would have been better if it was longer.
This book was written really well, and the author did a good job at the plot. Keeping it about one person and their problems, instead of everyone and everything about them, so it was kind of easier to keep track of what was going on. The book kind of just went on with her life, it didn’t really have a story to it.
I gave this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. I gave this rate because it would have been better if it was longer.
Read
March 1, 2011Patrice is a young woman that struggles getting use to a rough new lifestyle after leaving in an easy going with her grandmother. Patrice is now living in Brooklyn with her aunt and is difficult then she ever encountered. Patrice has mor responisiblities then ever, taking care of the household chores and taking care of her sister on top of that balancing schoolwork. Patrice does make a friend that seems to add to her chores yet helps her in the end of her dream school.
This book is for all teenagers more recommended to girls. I believe this book encourage everyone to try their hardest to succeed in whatever it is that they want to do with their life. This book could be an inspiration for anyone going through a struggle.
This book is a page turner and a tear jerker but it is very much worth it to read.This book will make you think and plan for yourself . warm haearted character make youIt is a quick read and you won't regret reading it.
This book is for all teenagers more recommended to girls. I believe this book encourage everyone to try their hardest to succeed in whatever it is that they want to do with their life. This book could be an inspiration for anyone going through a struggle.
This book is a page turner and a tear jerker but it is very much worth it to read.This book will make you think and plan for yourself . warm haearted character make youIt is a quick read and you won't regret reading it.
December 14, 2010
Patrice seems to others like someone who is too weak to stand up for herself, but she is really a girl of very strong character with the odds stacked against her. It would be easy for her to give up in discouragement, or to consider her own wishes before thinking of others, or to take ethical shortcuts, but unlike many of those who surround her (mother, aunt, classmates, sister), Patrice doesn't compromise her ideas of what is right. Her goodness is uncommon - if not perhaps unrealistic - in thirteen or fourteen-year-olds, but it is part of what made this book enjoyable for me. The plot is interesting enough to maintain readers' attention; besides wanting to know more about Patrice and Monty, they will want to know if she manages to get a scholarship to boarding school.
January 25, 2009
I like this book and it showed the values of America. how being humble, meek and kind will bring upon good things to you basically karma. It showed alot of the American Stereotype of the good little scared girl who lives inside ghettos and she wants to get out but because of some people around her with jealousy they try to put her down and treat her bad. It's also the stereotype of the African-American child whose father is gone and mother is in jail or on drugs and the child has to live with an aunt or grandma. This book is o.k actually you should read it but to me it wasn't the best book.
May 13, 2016
I think this book was the best book I ever read because this book is about this girl her name is Patrice that has had gone through rough parts of her life. She gets bullied by two guys and her mom is also in jail. She never lived with her mom, she had lived with her other family. But even though she had gone through bad times she still kept going on with her life she never gave up on herself. Want to find out more read the book Standing Against The Wind... I loved this book.
December 4, 2015
*3.8. Read in 2 days :)
April 9, 2022
3.5/5
Standing Against the Wind is a lovely read about an eighth-grade girl whose perseverance and humility propel her through the turmoil of her life. A nerd and book lover myself, I connected with the studious main character and was rooting for her success.
When her mother is imprisoned for identity fraud and welfare fraud just two months after uprooting her from her paternal grandmother's home in Georgia to a run-down neighborhood in Chicago, shy, unassertive, book-smart Patrice Williams ends up living with her Aunt Mae, cousins Nefertiti and MarcAnthony, and her sister Cherise (kind of - Cherise is staying at other people's houses most of the time). Patrice faces mockery at her middle school for her soft Georgia accent and, when she starts scrubbing the southern twang from her voice and talking less in general, and her big poofs of hairs that she doesn't have the time or energy to style.
Her fortunes begin to change with the introduction of two entities in her life: Monty, the surprisingly kind leader of a gang at school, who requests tutoring help from her for his first grade-aged brother Michael; and three scholarship opportunities at the prestigious Dogwood Academy in Mississippi.
Patrice isn't the typical "strong female character" of modern fiction, and I appreciated that. It's not even that she has her "own kind of strength" or anything. She isn't an assertive, confident, or stand-up person for much of Standing Against the Wind and, for some, the lack of these traits might be a turn off. I saw it, though, as both appropriate and important to depict Patrice like this. She does, as the title suggests, stand against the wind - the bullies at school, the uncaring mother, the inconsistent sister - that threaten to knock her down, but not by screaming at or trying to punch it. She knows that that's not who she is and, moreover, that that won't work. She fights by refusing to accept that this is her lot for the rest of her life. She fights by working hard in school and at home, things that she's good at and can control.
The romance in Standing Against the Wind was visible a mile away, but it was sweet (and not cringe-worthy!).
One major element in the story that is knocking my rating of Standing Against the Wind is the single narrative of poverty and dysfunction presented in the all-Black main cast. Patrice's mother is in prison for at least seven years for crimes involving fraud. Her father is absent, working in the military somewhere. Her brother Marquis is in a juvenile detention center for trying to shoplift a grocery store with a BB gun. Her sister Cherise dropped out of high school and is now styling hair, wasting money on parties and trips, and sleeping with male clients who strike her fancy. Then, with Monty's family, we have a father in prison, a mother who is either at the club or pregnant most of the time (of Monty's 5+ siblings, only one of his brothers has the same father), and general disarray in the family's apartment. I realize that this isn't an unrealistic configuration and it fits with struggle as a theme in Standing Against the Wind, but it does feed into stereotypes. The existence of the stereotypes is not a problem for me as much as the relative absence of non-stereotypes.
Content warning: sexual harassment, sexual assault
Standing Against the Wind is a lovely read about an eighth-grade girl whose perseverance and humility propel her through the turmoil of her life. A nerd and book lover myself, I connected with the studious main character and was rooting for her success.
When her mother is imprisoned for identity fraud and welfare fraud just two months after uprooting her from her paternal grandmother's home in Georgia to a run-down neighborhood in Chicago, shy, unassertive, book-smart Patrice Williams ends up living with her Aunt Mae, cousins Nefertiti and MarcAnthony, and her sister Cherise (kind of - Cherise is staying at other people's houses most of the time). Patrice faces mockery at her middle school for her soft Georgia accent and, when she starts scrubbing the southern twang from her voice and talking less in general, and her big poofs of hairs that she doesn't have the time or energy to style.
Her fortunes begin to change with the introduction of two entities in her life: Monty, the surprisingly kind leader of a gang at school, who requests tutoring help from her for his first grade-aged brother Michael; and three scholarship opportunities at the prestigious Dogwood Academy in Mississippi.
Patrice isn't the typical "strong female character" of modern fiction, and I appreciated that. It's not even that she has her "own kind of strength" or anything. She isn't an assertive, confident, or stand-up person for much of Standing Against the Wind and, for some, the lack of these traits might be a turn off. I saw it, though, as both appropriate and important to depict Patrice like this. She does, as the title suggests, stand against the wind - the bullies at school, the uncaring mother, the inconsistent sister - that threaten to knock her down, but not by screaming at or trying to punch it. She knows that that's not who she is and, moreover, that that won't work. She fights by refusing to accept that this is her lot for the rest of her life. She fights by working hard in school and at home, things that she's good at and can control.
The romance in Standing Against the Wind was visible a mile away, but it was sweet (and not cringe-worthy!).
One major element in the story that is knocking my rating of Standing Against the Wind is the single narrative of poverty and dysfunction presented in the all-Black main cast. Patrice's mother is in prison for at least seven years for crimes involving fraud. Her father is absent, working in the military somewhere. Her brother Marquis is in a juvenile detention center for trying to shoplift a grocery store with a BB gun. Her sister Cherise dropped out of high school and is now styling hair, wasting money on parties and trips, and sleeping with male clients who strike her fancy. Then, with Monty's family, we have a father in prison, a mother who is either at the club or pregnant most of the time (of Monty's 5+ siblings, only one of his brothers has the same father), and general disarray in the family's apartment. I realize that this isn't an unrealistic configuration and it fits with struggle as a theme in Standing Against the Wind, but it does feed into stereotypes. The existence of the stereotypes is not a problem for me as much as the relative absence of non-stereotypes.
Content warning: sexual harassment, sexual assault
April 13, 2018
I enjoyed Standing Against the Wind about a young black girl who fought of challenges and really stood against the wind. I love how the author Traci L. Jones ended this book. I have a few things that I want to mention. I didn't like how the book tells hidden messages about the protagonist Patrice only felling pretty about getting her hair strait and Monty only complementing her when it's only strait. It's telling young black girl that their only pretty when there hair is straiten and discouraging them fro wearing their natural hair style I would have liked it if the author would have made Patrice feel pretty wearing her natural hair styles like Braids, Twist, Corn rows , etc. I also didn't like when Patrice getting the papers signed by her mother I wish it could have been more loving and not just Patrice storming out on her mother. I loved the Romance between her and Monty. The last thing I didn't like the book is where the school was located. The author should have the school located in Chicago where they lived and not Mississippi , so that way Monty and Patrice could still see each other. Overall, I loved how she faced all of her challenges and truly stood against the wind.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2020
Patrice Williams receives an opportunity to apply for a prestigious boarding school, her only hope to get out of her mess of a life in Chicago. It really shows self-advocation, yet you never really know who to trust. Sometimes that makes it hard to let in people who might actually be trustworthy. This book had a powerful message that was sadly not developed very well. Maybe it's because I liked reading Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson so much, I had high expectations for similar reads.
January 22, 2021
Patrice is a smart girl in a community that doesn't value smart girls. Readers learn to admire Patrice's determination to live up to her own high standards for grades, as well as how she manages all the obstacles in her path: having to care for her much younger cousins, doing all the housework for her aunt that works two jobs so she can pay for keeping an extra child in her house, dodging mouthy boys and critical girls from her class.
Motifs: determination, loyalty, caring for others
Motifs: determination, loyalty, caring for others
January 30, 2024
This story is about a shy, 13 year old African American girl who moves from Georgia to Chicago.
Many people would be able to relate to her situation. Moving as a young teen is a very difficult thing for anyone. When the bullying begins, it becomes even more difficult. When Patrice finds a friend in fellow classmate, Monty, her life begins to get a little easier. The value of a good friend can never be underestimated.
Many people would be able to relate to her situation. Moving as a young teen is a very difficult thing for anyone. When the bullying begins, it becomes even more difficult. When Patrice finds a friend in fellow classmate, Monty, her life begins to get a little easier. The value of a good friend can never be underestimated.
September 26, 2017
I liked how the book started out with a very shy character. It was amazing watching the character develop slowly. You were with her with the ride the entire time with every triumph and every fall. I enjoyed the book. But it was quite short they could have added more detail and make it longer with better ending.
January 3, 2023
Another tightly written middle grade novel full of grit and tension. Patrice had lived with her grandmother in Georgia, but now dropped in Chicago with an aunt where she doesn’t fit.
Doesn’t fit in, it’s cold, she’s unaccustomed to the weather, the middle school boys are less than welcoming, and the 15 floors up to her aunt’s apartment with a broken elevator are not helping the situation. But she does everything she can to be ‘perfect’ with excellent grades and doing all the chores. She’s befriended by Monty who seems too good to be true. Lots of tension.
Doesn’t fit in, it’s cold, she’s unaccustomed to the weather, the middle school boys are less than welcoming, and the 15 floors up to her aunt’s apartment with a broken elevator are not helping the situation. But she does everything she can to be ‘perfect’ with excellent grades and doing all the chores. She’s befriended by Monty who seems too good to be true. Lots of tension.
June 15, 2017
The ending seemed a little abrupt, but an otherwise good read.
August 2, 2018
Young people doing good things. Keep reading, you'll find it.
March 11, 2020
Very inspiring book.
October 4, 2021
This is a wonderful book for middle-grade readers. Characters grow and change; assumptions and stereotypes are challenged.
June 16, 2023
Read this book with my middle school reading class and they absolutely loved it!
February 13, 2024
I read it in my reading class and it was just an amazing book
Read
December 4, 2013GOODREADS REVIEW #3
Characters
-In the novel ・Standing Against the Wind・, each character’s personalities and characteristics were vastly crucial. It was presumed that all characters described by the author were precisely specified. By this I mean, each character was described in detail and it was fairly easy to visualize the appearance and attitude of the characters.
*Patrice Williams*- ~main character~ A young, sweet and kind girl living in Georgia who , while juggling school and future goals , yet finds time to always try to please everyone around her.
* Monty Freeman*- ~secondary character~ A character who genuinely acts upon staying true in my favorite way as he keeps his morals in mind and refers to himself as Patrice’s “guardian angel”
Monty shows the act of benevolence and courtesy towards Patrice in my favorite quote, “I’d go by there every day to look at that stupid flower ‘cause it was so unique and pretty and it tripped me out that it could bloom in the middle of all that trash. Then one day I went by and someone had thrown an old stuffed chair over it and broke it. Killed it. I told myself that the next time I saw something that beautiful trying to survive in the middle of all that trash I’d do what I could to protect it. So, I guess you’re my flower” (Jones 129). Here, Monty reveals to Patrice that no matter where she is at, he will always be there holding her up for flight when she is ready to spread her wings! I can accredit the fact that most characters were described at an unrivaled rate. I think anyone can relate to someone like this in their life! ~5/5~
Language & Setting –
As the plot of the text is supposable based on the hard-earnings of a teenage lifestyle, the textual language is more modern, with sparks of intellectual vocabulary from Patrice. To explain, for myself it is very easy to understand and comprehend each segment of the text. On the other hand, I actually can distinctively picture this dispute of the story arises in any other era or time. Grandly, the setting is remarkably important due to the fact that without the setting, Patrice would not have been so determined to find success. “Scholarships are available for outstanding African American students. Dogwood Academy is one of the five predominantly African American boarding schools in the nation. What she had heard sounded, to her, just like hope” (Jones 14). In the previous quote, Patrice gains a glimmer of hope as she sees the chance to escape from the underground society that she is temporally stuck in.~4/5~
Plot-
The plot of the story was relatable to real life. A strong-willed girl chasing her dream. “After pulling all-nighters, Patrice pulled the clean copies of the essays out of her backpack and handed them to Mrs. Hutton. She had intended to look them over one more time before showing them to her, but what the heck”(Jones 104).In short, the novelette was mainly about a shy teenager , Patrice Williams, who had just moved to the inner-city of Chicago and struggles with the problem of not fitting in as well as not getting anywhere in life. When she hears about scholarships to a prestigious African-American boarding school in Mississippi, it seems like a dream come true and a way out of a place where she doesn't belong. There are certainly some obstacles between Patrice and her dream, until she meets and gains support in a new friend, Monty, who protects her from the “harsh life” and supports her in applying to Dogwood Academy in a way that her own family does not.
Theme-
I believe the main theme of the novelette would be if you do not see an opportunity, make an opportunity. Do not limit yourself ever! Be all that you can be and always work to your fullest capacity. “‘Yes! I knew you could do it!’ A huge grin on her face, Mrs. Hutton handed Patrice a letter that began:
Dear Miss Williams: Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you that you have won one of the three…
Patrice read the letter five times on the walk home with Monty. She had Monty holding her left hand, and the letter in her right hand, and the warm spring wind of Chicago against her back, pushing her forward”(Jones 184). You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only option could be a grand aspect message. Throughout the novel, Patrice figures that face challenges and working through them is what makes you stronger.
*Personal Response* I love the novel and would read it again! It is a realistic book that portrays so much truth to the life anyone could have!!
Characters
-In the novel ・Standing Against the Wind・, each character’s personalities and characteristics were vastly crucial. It was presumed that all characters described by the author were precisely specified. By this I mean, each character was described in detail and it was fairly easy to visualize the appearance and attitude of the characters.
*Patrice Williams*- ~main character~ A young, sweet and kind girl living in Georgia who , while juggling school and future goals , yet finds time to always try to please everyone around her.
* Monty Freeman*- ~secondary character~ A character who genuinely acts upon staying true in my favorite way as he keeps his morals in mind and refers to himself as Patrice’s “guardian angel”
Monty shows the act of benevolence and courtesy towards Patrice in my favorite quote, “I’d go by there every day to look at that stupid flower ‘cause it was so unique and pretty and it tripped me out that it could bloom in the middle of all that trash. Then one day I went by and someone had thrown an old stuffed chair over it and broke it. Killed it. I told myself that the next time I saw something that beautiful trying to survive in the middle of all that trash I’d do what I could to protect it. So, I guess you’re my flower” (Jones 129). Here, Monty reveals to Patrice that no matter where she is at, he will always be there holding her up for flight when she is ready to spread her wings! I can accredit the fact that most characters were described at an unrivaled rate. I think anyone can relate to someone like this in their life! ~5/5~
Language & Setting –
As the plot of the text is supposable based on the hard-earnings of a teenage lifestyle, the textual language is more modern, with sparks of intellectual vocabulary from Patrice. To explain, for myself it is very easy to understand and comprehend each segment of the text. On the other hand, I actually can distinctively picture this dispute of the story arises in any other era or time. Grandly, the setting is remarkably important due to the fact that without the setting, Patrice would not have been so determined to find success. “Scholarships are available for outstanding African American students. Dogwood Academy is one of the five predominantly African American boarding schools in the nation. What she had heard sounded, to her, just like hope” (Jones 14). In the previous quote, Patrice gains a glimmer of hope as she sees the chance to escape from the underground society that she is temporally stuck in.~4/5~
Plot-
The plot of the story was relatable to real life. A strong-willed girl chasing her dream. “After pulling all-nighters, Patrice pulled the clean copies of the essays out of her backpack and handed them to Mrs. Hutton. She had intended to look them over one more time before showing them to her, but what the heck”(Jones 104).In short, the novelette was mainly about a shy teenager , Patrice Williams, who had just moved to the inner-city of Chicago and struggles with the problem of not fitting in as well as not getting anywhere in life. When she hears about scholarships to a prestigious African-American boarding school in Mississippi, it seems like a dream come true and a way out of a place where she doesn't belong. There are certainly some obstacles between Patrice and her dream, until she meets and gains support in a new friend, Monty, who protects her from the “harsh life” and supports her in applying to Dogwood Academy in a way that her own family does not.
Theme-
I believe the main theme of the novelette would be if you do not see an opportunity, make an opportunity. Do not limit yourself ever! Be all that you can be and always work to your fullest capacity. “‘Yes! I knew you could do it!’ A huge grin on her face, Mrs. Hutton handed Patrice a letter that began:
Dear Miss Williams: Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you that you have won one of the three…
Patrice read the letter five times on the walk home with Monty. She had Monty holding her left hand, and the letter in her right hand, and the warm spring wind of Chicago against her back, pushing her forward”(Jones 184). You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only option could be a grand aspect message. Throughout the novel, Patrice figures that face challenges and working through them is what makes you stronger.
*Personal Response* I love the novel and would read it again! It is a realistic book that portrays so much truth to the life anyone could have!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews