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Parallel University
Hazel Ashwell is from Bridgecrest—better known as RICHcrest— where the cars are big, the houses are bigger, and absolutely no one looks like her because she's black. She doesn’t even blend in with her own family.
Hazel was adopted three days after her birth. Her privileged lifestyle is all she's ever known. It’s her normal. It's almost as if she doesn't know how to be black or what that even means. Her parents have been able to afford piano instructors, ballet classes, equestrian lessons, and everything else in between. Unfortunately, “How to Be Black” classes aren’t offered in Bridgecrest.
Hazel has always been confused about who she’s supposed to be. Is she supposed to act a certain way? Look a certain way? Talk a certain way? She won’t find that answer in Bridgecrest.
Even though she wouldn’t trade her lavish lifestyle or the people in it for anything, Hazel decides to enroll in an HBCU to get a crash course in black culture. The second she steps foot on campus, she realizes she has a lot to learn. Lancrey University instantly becomes her parallel universe. Class is in session.
Hazel was adopted three days after her birth. Her privileged lifestyle is all she's ever known. It’s her normal. It's almost as if she doesn't know how to be black or what that even means. Her parents have been able to afford piano instructors, ballet classes, equestrian lessons, and everything else in between. Unfortunately, “How to Be Black” classes aren’t offered in Bridgecrest.
Hazel has always been confused about who she’s supposed to be. Is she supposed to act a certain way? Look a certain way? Talk a certain way? She won’t find that answer in Bridgecrest.
Even though she wouldn’t trade her lavish lifestyle or the people in it for anything, Hazel decides to enroll in an HBCU to get a crash course in black culture. The second she steps foot on campus, she realizes she has a lot to learn. Lancrey University instantly becomes her parallel universe. Class is in session.
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Published September 19, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 26, 2018
This was a wonderful book. Hazel is a black young woman who was adopted into an upper class white family as an infant and went to high school in an all white private school. She decides to go to an HBCU (Historically Black College/ University) for reasons she can't fully explain to her family and friends but knows that she wants to understand and experience more about her racial identity. Hazel is a delightful and endearing character. In choosing to put herself in an environment different than what she's previously experienced, she experiences American history and culture differently than she had before, understanding more about the historical, current, and personal aspects of racism as well as experiencing the fun aspects of college friendships and relationships, self discovery, and learning inside and outside of the classroom. As a white adoptive parent of black teens, I loved this, but I truly think anyone would find this book very readable, thought-provoking, and compelling. What a wonderful coming of age story.
November 11, 2021
Tear-jerker, eye-opener, heart-warmer
Hazel Ashwell’s journey is one I will never forget. This story is filled with such raw emotion and invaluable lessons. Hazel is a young black woman raised by and brought up in a white community and when she starts school at Lancrey University, a black college, she is stripped of her perfect world view and hit with the reality of the world she truly lives in and the identity she possesses. The crushing feeling of losing everything you thought you knew and seeing the truth about the violence, criticism, and micro-aggressions taking place right under our noses is something the reader gets to experience along side the main character. This was a fresh and humbling perspective from the eyes of what a black women experiences and is worth reading every word. Not to mention, the heart-warming friendships, saucy relationships, and all the drama. This book didn’t have a dull moment. It was so beautifully and profoundly written and everyone needs to embark on this journey with Hazel Ashwell.
Hazel Ashwell’s journey is one I will never forget. This story is filled with such raw emotion and invaluable lessons. Hazel is a young black woman raised by and brought up in a white community and when she starts school at Lancrey University, a black college, she is stripped of her perfect world view and hit with the reality of the world she truly lives in and the identity she possesses. The crushing feeling of losing everything you thought you knew and seeing the truth about the violence, criticism, and micro-aggressions taking place right under our noses is something the reader gets to experience along side the main character. This was a fresh and humbling perspective from the eyes of what a black women experiences and is worth reading every word. Not to mention, the heart-warming friendships, saucy relationships, and all the drama. This book didn’t have a dull moment. It was so beautifully and profoundly written and everyone needs to embark on this journey with Hazel Ashwell.
July 10, 2025
This book was super cute! The main character is a black girl, adopted by a white family who grew up in an all white town. She loved her friends and family as she should but she doesn’t feel connected to herself - she decides to attend an HBCU and her freshman year of college opens her eyes to soooo many things. She meets new friends, gains new interests, and learns how to use her voice. Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews