What do you think?
Rate this book
Maizon #3
Between Madison and Palmetto
Margaret and Maizon are back together on Madison Street, but their friendship is different now. Margaret needs more time alone, and it's not just the two of them any more-their new neighbor and classmate, Caroline, has become part of their lives. But that seems minor next to what is about to happen to Maizon. . . .
"Woodson's candid assessments of relations between blacks and whites are as searching as ever, and her characters just as commanding." ( Publishers Weekly )
"Woodson's candid assessments of relations between blacks and whites are as searching as ever, and her characters just as commanding." ( Publishers Weekly )
128 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1993
6 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Woodson
82 books9,098 followersI used to say I’d be a teacher or a lawyer or a hairdresser when I grew up but even as I said these things, I knew what made me happiest was writing.
I wrote on everything and everywhere. I remember my uncle catching me writing my name in graffiti on the side of a building. (It was not pretty for me when my mother found out.) I wrote on paper bags and my shoes and denim binders. I chalked stories across sidewalks and penciled tiny tales in notebook margins. I loved and still love watching words flower into sentences and sentences blossom into stories.
I also told a lot of stories as a child. Not “Once upon a time” stories but basically, outright lies. I loved lying and getting away with it! There was something about telling the lie-story and seeing your friends’ eyes grow wide with wonder. Of course I got in trouble for lying but I didn’t stop until fifth grade.
That year, I wrote a story and my teacher said “This is really good.” Before that I had written a poem about Martin Luther King that was, I guess, so good no one believed I wrote it. After lots of brouhaha, it was believed finally that I had indeed penned the poem which went on to win me a Scrabble game and local acclaim. So by the time the story rolled around and the words “This is really good” came out of the otherwise down-turned lips of my fifth grade teacher, I was well on my way to understanding that a lie on the page was a whole different animal — one that won you prizes and got surly teachers to smile. A lie on the page meant lots of independent time to create your stories and the freedom to sit hunched over the pages of your notebook without people thinking you were strange.
Lots and lots of books later, I am still surprised when I walk into a bookstore and see my name on a book’s binder. Sometimes, when I’m sitting at my desk for long hours and nothing’s coming to me, I remember my fifth grade teacher, the way her eyes lit up when she said “This is really good.” The way, I — the skinny girl in the back of the classroom who was always getting into trouble for talking or missed homework assignments — sat up a little straighter, folded my hands on the desks, smiled and began to believe in me.
I wrote on everything and everywhere. I remember my uncle catching me writing my name in graffiti on the side of a building. (It was not pretty for me when my mother found out.) I wrote on paper bags and my shoes and denim binders. I chalked stories across sidewalks and penciled tiny tales in notebook margins. I loved and still love watching words flower into sentences and sentences blossom into stories.
I also told a lot of stories as a child. Not “Once upon a time” stories but basically, outright lies. I loved lying and getting away with it! There was something about telling the lie-story and seeing your friends’ eyes grow wide with wonder. Of course I got in trouble for lying but I didn’t stop until fifth grade.
That year, I wrote a story and my teacher said “This is really good.” Before that I had written a poem about Martin Luther King that was, I guess, so good no one believed I wrote it. After lots of brouhaha, it was believed finally that I had indeed penned the poem which went on to win me a Scrabble game and local acclaim. So by the time the story rolled around and the words “This is really good” came out of the otherwise down-turned lips of my fifth grade teacher, I was well on my way to understanding that a lie on the page was a whole different animal — one that won you prizes and got surly teachers to smile. A lie on the page meant lots of independent time to create your stories and the freedom to sit hunched over the pages of your notebook without people thinking you were strange.
Lots and lots of books later, I am still surprised when I walk into a bookstore and see my name on a book’s binder. Sometimes, when I’m sitting at my desk for long hours and nothing’s coming to me, I remember my fifth grade teacher, the way her eyes lit up when she said “This is really good.” The way, I — the skinny girl in the back of the classroom who was always getting into trouble for talking or missed homework assignments — sat up a little straighter, folded my hands on the desks, smiled and began to believe in me.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 21, 2019
An okay book. Definitely meant for middle school kids. Touches on some heavier topics but overall a light story and pretty corny.
February 18, 2020
"Sometimes...it seems as though not a moment has moved, but then you look up and you're already old or you already have a household of kids or you look down and see your feet are miles and miles away from the rest of you—and you realize you've grown up."
—Ms. Dell, Between Madison and Palmetto, P. 19
"Sometimes...you have to try to forget people you love just so you can keep living."
—Cooper Thompson, Between Madison and Palmetto, PP. 70-71
This third book about Margaret, Maizon and the rest of the memorable and very human characters that live in their neighborhood is, in my view, a worthy companion to the initial two volumes. It seems that Jacqueline Woodson has allowed herself some more space in the pages of this story just to muse on the people, and to get into their minds from her own third-person perspective so as to let us see what each of them are feeling about the events that are going on in their lives. Interestingly enough, "Last Summer With Maizon" was narrated from Margaret's first-person view and "Maizon at Blue Hill" was told from Maizon's first-person perspective, but "Between Madison and Palmetto" is the only one of the three to go the third-person route.
As in the first two installments, nothing really big or flashy or shocking goes on in "Between Madison and Palmetto", yet a subtle story of love and hope and big issues surfaces on its own, sort of as if Jacqueline Woodson were simply letting this quiet, lovely community of people have a story that speaks for itself.
The emotional perception of the story is remarkable, making this a treasure that can benefit any kind of reader. The set of three books in the "trilogy", of sorts, makes for excellent, thought-provoking reading, and gets my high recommendation.
"But it's what the world does to people. It makes some of us feel ugly and it makes some of us look like criminals, like angry fools."
—Cooper, P. 84
"Life...moves us through all the time changes. All kinds of changes. And we're made so that we roll and move with it. Sometimes somebody gets stuck in the present and the rolling stops—but the changing doesn't."
—Ms. Dell, P. 26
—Ms. Dell, Between Madison and Palmetto, P. 19
"Sometimes...you have to try to forget people you love just so you can keep living."
—Cooper Thompson, Between Madison and Palmetto, PP. 70-71
This third book about Margaret, Maizon and the rest of the memorable and very human characters that live in their neighborhood is, in my view, a worthy companion to the initial two volumes. It seems that Jacqueline Woodson has allowed herself some more space in the pages of this story just to muse on the people, and to get into their minds from her own third-person perspective so as to let us see what each of them are feeling about the events that are going on in their lives. Interestingly enough, "Last Summer With Maizon" was narrated from Margaret's first-person view and "Maizon at Blue Hill" was told from Maizon's first-person perspective, but "Between Madison and Palmetto" is the only one of the three to go the third-person route.
As in the first two installments, nothing really big or flashy or shocking goes on in "Between Madison and Palmetto", yet a subtle story of love and hope and big issues surfaces on its own, sort of as if Jacqueline Woodson were simply letting this quiet, lovely community of people have a story that speaks for itself.
The emotional perception of the story is remarkable, making this a treasure that can benefit any kind of reader. The set of three books in the "trilogy", of sorts, makes for excellent, thought-provoking reading, and gets my high recommendation.
"But it's what the world does to people. It makes some of us feel ugly and it makes some of us look like criminals, like angry fools."
—Cooper, P. 84
"Life...moves us through all the time changes. All kinds of changes. And we're made so that we roll and move with it. Sometimes somebody gets stuck in the present and the rolling stops—but the changing doesn't."
—Ms. Dell, P. 26
January 22, 2019
It probably would have behooved me well to read the first two books in the series first, but...oh well...too late now...
Between Madison and Palmetto packs a lot of punch for such a short book. Margaret and Maizon are growing up and trying to figure out what their lives will look like. One thinks she's too thin, the other thinks she's too fat; they're trying to better understand what makes life hard for them as young black girls, and what is different about life for young black boys. There's race talk and body talk and money talk and family talk.
Is it too much for such a short book? Maybe. But it works anyway, I think because there's no expectation that any of the (major!) plot points will be fully explored or fully resolved. They come out of the book having learned some things about race, for now. Maizon is building a new relationship with her father, for now. Margaret has a budding romance, for now. It's very nicely understated: a snapshot, but one where the depth is in the details.
Between Madison and Palmetto packs a lot of punch for such a short book. Margaret and Maizon are growing up and trying to figure out what their lives will look like. One thinks she's too thin, the other thinks she's too fat; they're trying to better understand what makes life hard for them as young black girls, and what is different about life for young black boys. There's race talk and body talk and money talk and family talk.
Is it too much for such a short book? Maybe. But it works anyway, I think because there's no expectation that any of the (major!) plot points will be fully explored or fully resolved. They come out of the book having learned some things about race, for now. Maizon is building a new relationship with her father, for now. Margaret has a budding romance, for now. It's very nicely understated: a snapshot, but one where the depth is in the details.
June 20, 2017
Between Madison and Palmetto tells the story of two friends who reunite again on Madison Street after years of separation. Their duo becomes three as their new neighbor and classmate, Carolina, integrates into a part of their lives. Through her young female protagonists, Woodson depicts many of the changes and challenges of adolescence—puberty, self-image, but also family tragedy, poverty, and racial issues. This book reflects on the concept of change and how it affects the characters. As Margaret develops, she gets frustrated with the appearance of her body. Combined with the struggles she faces in her family, Margaret craves the ability to control her circumstances. She acquires an eating disorder because of this. Ms. Dell provides powerful insight into this concept, “Life…moves us through all the changes. All kinds of changes. And we’re made so that we roll and move with it. Sometimes somebody gets stuck I the present and the rolling stops—but the changing doesn’t” (Woodson 26).
June 20, 2017
Between Madison and Palmetto tells the story of two friends who reunite again on Madison Street after years of separation. Their duo becomes three as their new neighbor and classmate, Carolina, integrates into a part of their lives. Through her young female protagonists, Woodson depicts many of the changes and challenges of adolescence—puberty, self-image, but also family tragedy, poverty, and racial issues. This book reflects on the concept of change and how it affects the characters. As Margaret develops, she gets frustrated with the appearance of her body. Combined with the struggles she faces in her family, Margaret craves the ability to control her circumstances. She acquires an eating disorder because of this. Ms. Dell provides powerful insight into this concept, “Life…moves us through all the changes. All kinds of changes. And we’re made so that we roll and move with it. Sometimes somebody gets stuck I the present and the rolling stops—but the changing doesn’t” (Woodson 26).
July 20, 2025
Between Madison and Palmetto is the final book in the trilogy. I loved this little series about two friends from New York who face some real struggles. In this book, the girls are back together—however, the neighborhood is starting to change. More people are moving in, and there’s even a new girl in their class named Caroline—and she’s white. Through all these changes, Margaret and Maizon work hard to maintain their friendship. This book is about acceptance, forgiveness, friendship, eating disorders, and self-esteem. It’s a great little series. I recommend these books for readers who enjoy Judy Blume’s stories.
November 7, 2017
2017 Reading Challenge - A book you bought on a trip.
This was a nice short YA novel about two friends starting out their teenage years in Brooklyn. Not only are they changing, their families are changing, and their neighborhood and community is changing. Maizon and Margaret's stories touch on important issues of puberty, self-image, family and friend ties, and much more. I recommend it.
This was a nice short YA novel about two friends starting out their teenage years in Brooklyn. Not only are they changing, their families are changing, and their neighborhood and community is changing. Maizon and Margaret's stories touch on important issues of puberty, self-image, family and friend ties, and much more. I recommend it.
July 18, 2022
While Jacqueline Woodson has written several award winning books, this is not one of them. Complex issues of systemic racism, belonging, parental abandonment, gentrification and anorexia are mentioned and resolved by turning a few pages. Good for reluctant readers who are already invested in the characters from previous books, perhaps.
August 21, 2019
Definitely a story for middle school kids. Touches on some heavier topics but overall light and corny.
March 15, 2020
This books picks up a year after the last 2 books. The girls a going their separate ways. Each having their own issues to deal with. It is a great ending to the series.
September 5, 2020
A great book. The end to a thought provoking trilogy. A book/series you don’t want to end. I feel so many kids would benefit from reading these books.
October 13, 2022
it was good. just not my genre
November 14, 2023
Maizon at Blue Hill was the hands-down best of this series. Loved it. Works well as a standalone. Still feel fondness for the characters in this one, third in the series order.
December 6, 2012
Between Madison and Palmetto by Jacqueline Woodson
Rating: *
Bookshelves: ENGL 420
Status: Read in December
Review:
JACQUELINE WOODSON CATEGORY
The story was simple and part of a series written about two young black girls, Margaret and Maizon as they continue to grow up facing body image issues, race and poverty issues, and family tragedies. In the book Margaret begins an eating disorder because she is unhappy with her developing body; Maizon, still undeveloped, struggles to accept her biological father back into her life after him abandoning her at birth when her mother died. The girls grow apart for the middle of the novel but remember their everlasting friendship and reconcile their differences. Margaret stops her eating disorder and begins a romantic relationship with Bo, a young black man they grew up with. Maizon slowly accepts her father, Cooper, into her life, and balances her new friendship with Caroline, one of the only white girls in the neighborhood. The happy-endings story is a little unbelievable but I think the issues the book addresses are significant. I think the book would appeal to young YA girls, both black and white.
Rating: *
Bookshelves: ENGL 420
Status: Read in December
Review:
JACQUELINE WOODSON CATEGORY
The story was simple and part of a series written about two young black girls, Margaret and Maizon as they continue to grow up facing body image issues, race and poverty issues, and family tragedies. In the book Margaret begins an eating disorder because she is unhappy with her developing body; Maizon, still undeveloped, struggles to accept her biological father back into her life after him abandoning her at birth when her mother died. The girls grow apart for the middle of the novel but remember their everlasting friendship and reconcile their differences. Margaret stops her eating disorder and begins a romantic relationship with Bo, a young black man they grew up with. Maizon slowly accepts her father, Cooper, into her life, and balances her new friendship with Caroline, one of the only white girls in the neighborhood. The happy-endings story is a little unbelievable but I think the issues the book addresses are significant. I think the book would appeal to young YA girls, both black and white.
October 21, 2009
Now that i have finish raeding my book i can tell you about it. My book is about two girls that are named Mazion and Margrate there both going through so much is not even funny i really enjoy reading this book because these two girl lost there mother and one of them lost there father too. My book takes place in 1990s in Madison street and in Palmetto street. They have there ups and downs. In the book Margrate finds her selfe developing and she feels she is getting fat. So what she does is that she makes her throw up.Its sad the act that Mazions father gave her away and after 13 years now is that he comes and asked her to for ginve him. He said he did that cause he did not know what to do he was young and his wife had died giving birth to you. But then they out all there problems aside and walked throught madison street and palmetto street saying best friends for ever.I recommend this book to every one because it shows alot in life and it teaches poeple how other poeple could be living. i realy enjoy iy you should try it too
Read
October 5, 2011Margaret and maizon were best friends. the story is talking about their relationship. They always are together. They have found a new school that they both like. Other things take more adjusting to, like the difference in Margarent and Maizon's friendship. Maizon has changed since her semester at boarding school, and Margaret seems to want time alone, without Maizon. And it's not just the two of them anymore.
CLIFFHANGER
Their new neighbor and classmate, Caroline, has become part of their lives and threatens Maizon and Margaret's closeness, and Maizon's father, who left her as a baby but shows up unexpectedly just when she thought her life couldn't get any more mixed up. What is about to happen to Maizon next...
CLIFFHANGER
Their new neighbor and classmate, Caroline, has become part of their lives and threatens Maizon and Margaret's closeness, and Maizon's father, who left her as a baby but shows up unexpectedly just when she thought her life couldn't get any more mixed up. What is about to happen to Maizon next...
December 14, 2012
This book shows that even the best best of friends have issues with each other. This book is about to close friends named Margaret and Maizon. Maizon has changed a lot since her first semester at boarding school and Margaret has been more quiet and to herself since her father died. Suddenly Maizon's dad decides that he wants to become part of her life and tries to reconnect with her. Later In the story margaret develops a eating disorder because she is unhappy with her changing body , while Maizon deals with her underdeveloped body. Then there is a new girl named Caroline who threatens Margaret and Maizon's closeness. This book addresses issues such as prejudice, body images, family relationships, and the complications of friendships. After all it was a really good book.
October 23, 2009
i really liked this book and ive never heard of this author but now im going to start reading her books. i even heard they were good from other people. i really liked this book because it had a porpuse, like it had depression and best frend issues and a whole bunch of things that alot of people go through today and i do recomend not just this book but jacquline woodson books . they are really awsome and my book had a really nice and beautiful ending to it!
November 24, 2016
Even though it takes place twenty years ago, this book deals with timeless themes. In one sense, the timelessness of adolescent girls' friendships and parent-child relationships, this is wonderful. In another sense, the fact that twenty years later issues of gentrification, body image and eating disorders, and the challenges of being a black man in the US, are still relevant is a little discouraging.
June 14, 2010
This book is about two neighbor girls who try to overcome racial differences, along with other problems like eating disorders and a reuniting of a runaway father and his daughter. It was a good story, but seemed too short to really talk about all the effects these different situations had on the girls and their families.
Read
March 15, 2008So far this book seems okay. I think if I keep reading I'll like it just like the frist 2.
February 10, 2015
Incredibly real - great book!
January 20, 2015
I wanted to like this book...
February 15, 2015
Maizon and Margaret are friends who live down the street from one another. This story tells of the changes that happen no matter how much we try to keep things the same.
Want to read
October 10, 2009book 3
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews