Sincerely Sicily

by Tamika Burgess

From debut author Tamika Burgess comes the captivating and empowering story of Sicily Jordan—a Black Panamanian fashionista who rocks her braids with pride—who learns to use her voice and take pride in who she is while confronting prejudice in the most unexpected of places.

Sicily Jordan’s worst nightmare has come true! She’s been enrolled in a new school, with zero of her friends and stuck wearing a fashion catastrophe of a uniform. But however bad Sicily thought sixth grade was going to be, it only gets worse when she does her class presentation.

While all her classmates breezed through theirs, Sicily is bombarded with questions on how she can be both Black and Panamanian. She wants people to understand, but it doesn’t feel like anyone is ready to listen—first at school and then at home. Because when her abuela starts talking mess about her braids, Sicily’s the only one whose heart is being crumpled for a second time.

Staying quiet may no longer be an option, but that doesn’t mean Sicily has the words to show the world just what it means to be a proud Black Panamanian either. Even though she hasn’t written in her journal since her abuelo passed, it’s time to pick up her pen again—but will it be enough to prove to herself and everyone else exactly who she is?

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary, Childrens, Juvenile

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 3, 2023

About the author

Tamika Burgess is a storyteller with over a decade of novel, TV/film, and personal essay writing.

Born to parents who migrated from Panamá, Tamika has always taken a particular interest in writing themes that explore her Black Latina identity. Because of her passion for spreading knowledge of Black Panamanian culture, Tamika has been featured on various websites, podcasts, and panels.

When she is not writing, Tamika is somewhere cozy online shopping, sipping lemon ginger tea and reading, or listening to a podcast.

Tamika resides in sunny Southern California and is currently working on her second novel with HarperCollins, scheduled for Winter 2024.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen! My 2023 reads are coming for my 2022 reads ALREADY! I don't want to jinx myself but I've had some great reads this year and we're barely done with the first week. I was so excited to pick up Sincerely Sicily when I originally heard about it and it did not disappoint! 4.5 Stars

Sincerely Sicily follows main character Sicily who is about to attend a new middle school. She's nervous that she won't make any friends because all of her close friends are attending a different school. However, things seem to be okay until Sicily gives her presentation on being Panamanian. Her classmates begin to question her identity which in turn makes Sicily question how she could possibly be what she calls "Black and Panamanian." Things aren't just bad at school. Sicily is also dealing with conflict at home when her grandmother refers to her braids as ugly, low class, and ghetto. Through it all, she works to find her voice and a place on her school's magazine.

What Worked: This was an excellent novel. Not quite a 5 star read, but so many things about it were amazing. After listening to the author's note, it was clear to me that Tamika Burgess wrote a lot of this from her own experiences and it definitely is a book that reiterates the need for representation in literature. One of my favorite things about this book was the intricacy of the conflict. Sicily is not only experiencing conflict at school, but also at home and both are challenging her identity. While readers will grow to understand that Sicily's grandmother comes from a different time, the hurt that is caused by her words reiterates the need for children to have a strong support system at home. My heart literally broke for Sicily who was so proud of her hair. It's one thing to hear that nonsense about "good hair" outside the home, but to hear it from an adult that you trust and love is on a different level. I loveddddd that Burgess crafted parents that not only told Sicily when she was wrong, but also listened to her feelings and attempted to see her perspective. It's because of them that readers begin to see that conflict between Sicily and her grandmother heal. I also adored that her mother and father were so willing to teach Sicily what it meant to be Afro-Latine and that she was Black Panamanian and not Black AND Panamanian. They refused to let any pieces or parts of her culture and heritage go unnoticed. Along the way, readers will learn so much information about the history and culture of Panama and will rejoice in the pride that Sicily has in who she is and where she comes from.

One of the more complex conversations that occurs in this book is centered around the difference between culture and race. The students and Sicily don't necessarily understand the difference and that's why she experiences those racist and intrusive comments in the beginning of the novel. This is a conversation that needs to start happening more often than not. I hear wayyyyy too many ADULTS who don't know the difference and it causes both confusion and conflict. I'm so happy that Burgess took the opportunity to have readers learn more as Sicily begins to learn more. There was also this cute look into middle school crushes. I LOVED it. I think that it's easy to avoid talking about romance in middle grade but Burgess does it in a way that charming and true to nature. I remember having my first crush in middle school and it's crafted in this book in such a realistic way.

Overall, this was a great book with amazing writing. I'm definitely looking forward to what Burgess will release in the future. If you haven't had the chance to add this to your list of books to check out, definitely do it now!

[Ms. Woc Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sincerely Sicily follows a 6th grader who is Black Panamanian and has started a new school her new classmates are questioning her identity. In addition to navigating first crushes and new friends she also has drama with her Abuela who ever since Abuelo has died just hasn't been the same. She keeps making comments about Sicily's hair being low class and ghetto. Sicily is also trying out for the school newspaper and is not sure what to write. This is a well paced middle grade about a girl navigating school, learning her history, her culture, and what her identity means to her.

See full review below
https://womenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot....

[Sydney Dunlap · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful novel that grabbed me from the very beginning. The main character’s voice is so real, and her experience of being separated from her friends when they are zoned for different schools is very relatable. Sicily is dealing with so much all at once: a new school, a very disappointing experience with her grandmother who she’s always been super-close with, grief over the loss of her grandfather, a first crush, friendship challenges, and in addition to all those things, racism and hair discrimination. Author Tamika Burgess did an incredible job of making me feel as if I was truly experiencing the events that happened, as well Sicily’s emotions, throughout the story. I especially loved her interactions with her family members, as well as her new (and old) friends. Her wish to be a writer for the school online magazine and her persistence as she struggles with what to write about are also a very interesting part of the story and an important part of her journey. This is a book that will build empathy and understanding, especially as Sicily discovers more about her own unique background and learns to stand up for herself. It all just felt so real, and so important, and is sure to spark many wonderful and much-needed conversations. This book is powerfully and beautifully written, and I absolutely loved it. Five stars for SINCERELY SICILY. Much appreciation to Tamika Burgess, my fellow 2023 debut, and her publisher for letting me have the opportunity to read this before its release!

[Book Concierge · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5***

Sicily Jordan has looked forward to middle school, when she and her besties – they call themselves the Tether Squad, since they met playing tetherball – will coordinate their outfits and compare teachers as they move from classroom to classroom for various subjects. But just a week or so before school starts she gets an email informing her that she will be enrolled in the new Shirley Chisholm Middle School. Now she’ll have no friends and won’t know any of the teachers! To make matters worse, the new school has a uniform, so all the cute outfits she’s planned will be staying in her closet.

I thought this was really delightful. Sicily’s troubles range from “new school” blues to bullying to navigating a first crush to family drama around her chosen hairstyle to racism (both overt and more subtle). She frequently feels alone and without a support system, though, in reality, she does have friends and family who care about her, want to support her, and encourage her to follow her dreams.

I like the way Burgess dealt with Sicily’s conflicts with her grandmother, as well as the way she portrayed the girl’s awakening to her family’s background and culture as Black Panamanians.

I’m going to recommend this to a couple of young ladies I know.

[Afoma (Reading Middle Grade) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sincerely Sicily is a sweet, triumphant debut middle grade novel about being Afro-Panamanian, finding pride in your roots, and discovering the joy of writing. Kids who love writing and enjoy epistolary books or books with diary entries will enjoy this one. It also has a sweet tween crush/romance for those who like them–although Sicily is only in the sixth grade (which felt a bit young for me). Overall, I would recommend this one, especially for readers interested in Black history in South America.

Full review https://readingmiddlegrade.com/sincer...

[Belles Middle Grade Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Love when a contemporary story blows me away, & this definitely did. I LOVED this, & didn't want to put it down. There's so many layers in here, & so many kids will find so much to relate to. A common 1 of those things is having to switch schools, & leaving friends behind at the old 1. Usually in books, the old friends drift away & only the new friendships remain. That always makes me sad. I LOVED how the author did the change in here. While things are different, & Sicily makes new friends, she still keeps her friends from her old school as well. Even introduces old friends with new, & they have a sleepover. Then trying to figure out who you are-this can mean several things to different people in different circumstances. But Sicily's classmates don't understand how she can be Black & Panamanian. While trying to come to terms with how their responses made her feel, & find a way to make them see, she in turn learns more about her culture-every part of it. The more she learns, the more she discovers the way to make her classmates see that she is a proud Black Panamanian, with a rich culture on both sides she is proud of. She finds her voice & she uses it so well, & that includes using it with her writing. She also has to deal with prejudice at home from her grandmother who has horrible things to say about her braids. It always hits the heart harder when this happens in the home from a family member, especially with who the relationship is so close. It can be so traumatic for a child. So Sicily has 1 form of this at school with her classmates, & then at home with her grandmother, on top of being at a new school, & ALSO has a horrible bully to deal with. Ohhhhh I didn't like that girl either. There's also the beauty of new friendships, the familiarity of old friendships that hang on no matter what, 1st crushes that are adorable!, strong sense of family & culture, & the light that shines bright & far when someone finds their voice, their strength, & does what is right for them. HIGHLY recommend. Engaging writing that you fly through, with the most endearing MC that your heart falls for. BEAUTIFUL cover by Princess Karibo too!💜

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like most 6th graders Afro-latina American Sicily has a lot of change in store. Her school year begins with unwelcome drama as a new district school opens and she is separated from her squad of best friends. Like many kids (and adults) Sicily catastrophizes. Happily there are five things that buoy her up - her teacher is nice, an old kindergarten pal has moved back to town and is in her class, there is a cute boy who reciprocates her interest, her loving Abuela is super supportive and a new online school magazine is seeking writers. But complications soon ensue. The teacher can’t fully protect her from ignorant classmates insensitive racialized micro aggression, the cute boy is the loathed cousin of her new bestie, her Abuela hurts her feelings with cruel racialized and classist remarks about Sicily’s hair style and a privileged blonde mean-girl is determined to keep Sicily off the magazine.
There is a lot to like about Sicily and her quest to stand up for herself and push back against those who try to demean or limit her. What she learns about her familial culture is great. What is less great is the wholesale, school-report-esque dumps of information the reader gets. I appreciate the author wanted to inform, but there is nothing left to the imagination- no gaps for the reader to fill in. It feels as if we are being told exactly what to think. At 304 pages this book is just too long for the intended audience. While 6th graders will read long action adventure, they are less inclined to slog through blow by blow descriptions of library research. The other problem is the disturbing, and long-lasting pivot Sicily executes re her Abuela. Yes the grandmother’s comments were wrong-headed and hurtful but, Sicily’s response to irrevocably sever all connection to her Abuela, want to ban her from visiting and seek to cut and insult the old woman seem over the top. All the time Sicily is outraged at her Abuela for making judgements re hair, Sicily is herself making negative comments about what kind of person might go out with chipped nail polish, or without earrings or appear in an uncustomized T-shirt. Absolutely Sicily grows and accepts responsibility for many of her actions, but the length of the book and the drawn out reporting of grievance makes it less entertaining and digestible than it might have been.

[Cliff Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, deeply empathetic story. Even before I reached the author's note, it was clear that Tamika was coming from a place of direct personal experience that parallels Sicily's journey. The whole book feels so authentic and lived-in. I expect folks from Afro-Latinx families will feel some profound resonance throughout this book, but many elements of the story (like the generational conflict between Sicily and her grandmother) should be relatable to readers from any cultural background. The novel's exploration of the difference between race and culture is powerful and illuminating. But this is not JUST an important book; it's also a super entertaining read that accurately reflects the day-to-day life of preteens in the 2020s. Young readers will have a blast getting to know Sicily, her family, and her diverse collection of friends.

[Benedicta Dzandu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the whole black Panamanian discourse. This book explores family, race, friendship and parenting.

[Djamilla]

DNF 40%

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sicily is starting at a new middle school when she least expects it, thanks to the new school opening at just the right time. Separated from her friend group, she's left kind of floundering at the start of the school year. At the same time, her home situation has gotten more complicated as her grandmother has taken a strong dislike to the way she braids her hair.

In this coming of age tale, Sicily needs to find herself on many levels. New friends. New boyfriend? Definitely new situations at home which just don't seem fair. What I liked about this book was the family dynamics and the strong friendships. The boy-girl thing might feel a little young. Dating at 12...I'm not big on that idea as a mom, but then I had a thing going on with Paul R. in sixth grade so who am I to talk. Paul was way cute and super nice...anyway, let's get back to the book.

Sicily has to make some really tough decisions in this book. She learns how to set some boundaries, stands up for herself, and even learns to talk to her parents about her need for their support. I did NOT like how she treated her grandmother. The lack of respect was appalling so I dropped the book a star for this. Sure, her grandmother wasn't respecting her, but learning to be the bigger person is also an important lesson and her canceling grandma felt like it was too much after a while.

I did learn a few things though from this book about braiding of hair and culture. Overall, there was a lot of good here. I look forward to other books by the author.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

In many ways this is a typical middle-grade fiction novel. There is a mean girl who toments our main character, and their are friendships, and sometimes the beginnings of romance.

But this is different because Sicily is a Black Panamanian, and people at her new school have trouble figuring out what she “really is” and where her people are “really from”.

So, rather than just get angry, Sicily begins to ask her family about it, as well as do research on how the people of the Caribbean came to Panama to help build the canal, and remained to become part of the country, as Sicily’s ancesters did.

And she does this mainly for herself, because she loves to write in her journal.

This is a sweet story of differences and how they should be embraced, and shared. Silicy has friends from her old school that she hangs on to, and makes friends at her new school. And she learns to stand up for herself, against the mean girl, who tells her that she won’t be in the new online newspaper the school is putting out, so don’t even try.

I like how Sicily stands up for herself, even against her grandmother who tells her that wearing braided hair is ghetto, and ugly, and that she should relax her hair to fit in.

Great book. I love how the history of the Black people in Panama is woven into the story as well.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Alicia (A Kernel of Nonsense) · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW: death of a grandparents (off-page), racism, bullying

**Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the author which does not influence my review.**

Sicily – Sicily is a bright 6th grader who struggles with self-esteem. She is stubborn, willful, and sometimes these characteristics get her in trouble. She is a gifted writer, but it’s always been tied to her grandfather, who recently passed. Grief and writing are intertwined for her. It isn’t until she learns more about her grandpa’s relationship with writing that she begins to find the joy in it again.

Friendship – Starting a new school comes with many challenges. Leaving her main friend-group is the worst thing Sicily can imagine. Making new friends is hard, but learning to put yourself out there can also be rewarding. Though Sicily forges new bonds, she also has moments where she has to learn to be more honest and charitable.

Addressing bullying – Unfortunately, trying to make friends isn’t the only problem Sicily is faced with at school. She must also contend with an older student bent on making passive aggressive remarks to her as well as dealing with her classmates questioning her identity as a Black Panamanian.

Read my full review here.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sicily's enrollment in a new school means that she'll be starting sixth grade without her best friends. Things begin to look up when Sicily reconnects with an old friend, but Sicily's hopes to join the school newspaper are crushed by a mean eighth grader. When Sicily's class presentation prompts her classmates to question her AfroLatine heritage, Sicily struggles to explain how she is both Black and Panamanian. At home, Sicily has to contend with her abuela's mean comments about her hair and her Blackness. As Sicily learns more about her family and identity, channeling her knowledge into writing might be exactly what's needed to show herself--and everyone else--what it means to be a Black Panamanian.

I really enjoyed this book and the way it approached Sicily's struggle to understand her own identity as a Black Panamanian. It discusses the history of Panama and addresses the difference between culture and race. Sicily's friends are diverse, and I liked that they had conversations about being first generation Americans. Beyond this, the book also deals with typical middle grade experiences like crushes, dealing with mean girls, and disagreements between friends. Sicily's voice felt authentic, she was relatable, and the story was great.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely little book that should appeal to all kids as it addresses universal issues with a very special flavor. I loved how Sicily started to learn more about her own heritage as a Black Panamanian and how she chose to share it--and how it impacted her relations at school. And, I admit that as an adult, I learned a lot! It would be a great selection for a parent to read along with their child. And I think everyone will love Sicily as she is certainly very relatable. What a great book for children to start thinking about their own heritage!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It's very special!

[Amber Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sincerely Sicily grabbed me from the first page. The title character, Sicily, is starting middle school, and she learns that she’ll be going to a different school than all her friends. Sicily navigates making new friends—and a new crush—while also learning about her Black Panamanian heritage. What I love about Sicily is that she is confident about who she is. When faced with challenges at school and even within her own family, she doesn’t doubt herself. Her confidence makes her a fun and inspiring narrator.

[Ann Haefele · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about a 6th grade girl trying to figure out her identity while adjusting to a new school. While important for young readers to understand the difference between culture and race , I felt the intended audience might get tired of all the research, history and facts about black Panamanians that comprise a good part of the story and are frequently written in report style rather than narrative. But overall it’s a worthwhile read and I enjoyed getting to know Sicily and her family.

[Steena Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rooted for Sicily as she navigated many challenges, including discrimination by classmates and even a loved one. This drives her to learn more about her identity as an Afro-Panamanian. She searches for a better understanding of who she is and where her ancestors came from, all while discovering a true passion and talent passed down from her Abuelo. Inspiring and informative, this heartfelt story is a must-read for all ages.

[Kellie Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

[Emily Kraus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sincerely Sicily follows the story of a young middle school girl named Sicily Jordan. Sicily was always proud of who she was- a beautiful black and Panamanian girl. She only started to question her own identity when the other students at school would start to question her about being both Black and Latina. As she starts to question herself, she dives deeper into her own identity and self-acceptance. This book is intended for readers in the middle grades. This book could appeal to children who are exploring their own multicultural background and biracial backgrounds. Key themes and topics of this book include: race, culture, Panamanian, colorism, microaggressions, and finding one's voice. I chose this book for my classroom library because it highlights the importance of self-discovery and self acceptance when it comes to exploring one's own cultural and ethnic background.

[Danielle Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely a Newbery contender! I loved Sicily’s voice and how the author showed the ups and downs with family and friends.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story, lessons on how to get along with family and make new friends.

[Mitzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a such a raw story between sicily and her new school, her grandmother, her friends, and her identity. i loved seeing her go through all her emotions and her understanding of her own identity, and what it means to be panamanian, and the history of panama to better understand where she and her family came from so that no one could make her question it again. i LOVED it.

10✨

[OpenedBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sicily starts middle school in a couple of weeks, but to her disappointment, none of her friends are in the same catchment. Unfortunately, things start off badly when her class questions her heritage - black Panamanian - and calls her a liar. And on top of all that, her favourite person, abuela, breaks her heart by calling her braids ghetto. Sicily is desperate. How can she prove to her class that she isn’t a liar and make her abuela understand that her hair is beautiful and worth being proud of no matter how she styles it? Sicily picks up her pen and journal and uses her gift of writing to educate herself on Panamanian history to stand up for herself in the future. So that she can be “a part of [the] growth and change by telling [her] people’s stories.” But can this also help fix her relationship with her abuela?

I always love to learn about other cultures and their histories. The Panamanian was a new one for me. Like all the kids in Sicily’s class, I was ignorant of the history of the Panama Canal. One of the Seven World Wonders of the Modern World. It is imperative to know your origin and what that means for you and your family. For Sicily, that means her ancestors are from Africa and moved to Panama to work. Black first, Panamanian second. But there are a lot of different stories about how people came to Panama, willingly or otherwise. Looking back in time also shows us how to do things better. In Sicily’s case, it’s the generational trauma put on her by her abuela. Growing up in a place where braids are frowned upon, it’s hard to overcome prejudice. Hate is always taught and inherited. Breaking that cycle takes a brave and loving heart.
As always, educating yourself, being open-minded and living a life of kindness is the necessary start to changing the world for the better.

I would have liked to see more of Sicily’s original writing instead of just facts in her journal, but that would have meant extending the story. And I see now that wasn’t the main focus of this book. This book starts Sicily’s journey of writing something meaningful in the future. It’s like a glimpse of how a famous writer came to be. And read with this in mind, the decision to end the book with her first original piece makes perfect sense.

It’s the second book I’ve read about generational trauma concerning hair. And I’m sure it won’t be the last one because so much more healing is needed. Books like these make me happy to know there is a medium to share experiences and learn from them. Because books will always be windows and mirrors, and we should never shatter them. They make us grow as people. Where would we be without storytelling? Always remember: storytelling is part of humanity, and we are all human first.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Learning new things about who I am and where I come from has awakened something inside of me, and I know I am forever changed.”

Sicily Jordan thought she was ready for sixth grade. That is, until her parents register her for the new middle school opening in her district—the middle school that just so happens to be away from all her friends. Now she’s facing hallways where she doesn’t know anyone, a mean eighth-grader who doesn’t want to let Sicily write for the online magazine, and worst of all, a class presentation about her family and culture where she’s bombarded with questions about how she can be both Black and Panamanian. To make matters worse, Sicily’s favorite person, her abuela, insults her braids and Sicily along with them. With her heart crumpled over and over, Sicily turns to the journal her abuelo left her when he died. She hasn’t picked up a pen in years, but now it just might be time to prove to herself and everyone else what it means to be a proud Black Panamanian—with her words.

SINCERELY SICILY is a sweet book that perfectly captures those starting-middle-school feelings while also including lots of information about Afro-Panamanian history. Author Tamika Burgess does a fantastic job discussing some tougher topics in a way that makes it easy for a younger audience to understand but that’s enjoyable for adults to read as well. In a book perfect for Black History Month, kids and adults alike will laugh, cry, smile, and cheer with Sicily as she learns new things about her culture, her family, and herself. Sicily is a wonderful protagonist, and I wish I could spend even more time immersed in her story. Find yourself a copy of SINCERELY SICILY today and get ready to read!

Content Warnings: Death of a loved one, mentioned police violence, bullying, racism, mentions of slavery

(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

[Miny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would I buy this book for myself:
I would definitely put this book on my classroom shelves and recommend it for 4-6th grade. It brings up an important topic of identity and what it is like to be first-generation in America versus having family who grew up here.

Three things I liked:
- Sicily learns about her culture by writing journal entries specifically about Panaman culture. We learn about the history of Panama and the complexity of the Latine identity. The insertion of emails and texts within the story makes it a fun read.
- Sicily’s family is complex with Abuela who spent most of her life in Panama, her parents who came from Panama to have a family and Enrique and Sicily herself who were born in the United States. There is a complexity of different generations where their experiences are so different and hard to articulate and the author writes it well.
- One of the central conflicts is with Sicily and her abuela and how her abuela’s views based around colorism are hurtful towards her granddaughter and her perception about herself. It is mentioned that Sicily and her mother are darker and the tension that Sicily has towards her abuela is complex because of family values that have been taught to her.

Two moments that stood out to me:
- Sicily and her parents have a conversation about race and culture and they discuss how their identity is complex because of the different cultures in their family history.
- There is a conversation that Sicily, Renya and Evelyn have about “where they come from”. Renya and Sicily are both first generation and know their parents’ native language whereas Evelyn does not.

One quote that I will hold on to:
“Another important thing you should write down is that Afro at the beginning of those words shows that we acknowledge our African roots. We are Black first, before anything else.”

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful characters and relationships. I actually learned a lot while reading this

[Angelina Patino · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered Sincerely Sicily by Tamika Burgess through the School Library Journal, and it’s a standout choice for middle school readers. This empowering middle-grade novel thoughtfully explores themes of identity, culture, and self-acceptance through the eyes of Sicily Jordan, a young Afro-Panamanian girl navigating the start of middle school.

Sicily’s journey is relatable and deeply moving as she deals with friendship struggles, family expectations, and the challenge of embracing her heritage in a world that often overlooks or misunderstands it. What makes this story especially impactful is its authentic voice. Sicily’s journal entries and personal reflections offer a powerful window into her inner world, allowing readers to connect with her emotions and experiences on a personal level.

This book is an excellent resource for the classroom. It not only reflects the real-life experiences of many students but also fosters empathy and understanding across cultures. Teachers can use it to support lessons on character development, theme, and point of view, while also encouraging rich discussions about identity, self-expression, and belonging. Great book to use in middle school.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

Sincerely Sicily is a standout middle grade debut, following a Black Panamanian girl named Sicily. I was particularly struck by how it explored the intricacies of identifying as both, when so many people, including people in the Black and Latine communities, see them as mutually exclusive. From the complex intra-familial dynamics to touching on issues like racism and hair discrimination outside the family, I really liked seeing how all of this was represented, especially in terms of how a young girl like Sicily is impacted, as well as allowing her to grow and learn over the course of the book, ultimately being able to stand up for herself.

I also liked seeing her come into her own and asserting her identity in other ways. She’s incredibly assertive and stylish, and over the course of the book, she develops her talent as a writer.

I really enjoyed this book, and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a coming of age middle grade.

[Noa Nimrodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much to love about this book! It is packed with authentic moments of middle-school drama, old and new friendships, family conflicts, first crush— all with a diverse cast of characters. What makes this book extra special is Sicily’s journey of understanding (and helping others around her understand) her Afro-Panamanian heritage. As Sicily explores the differences between culture and race, she discovers interesting facts about her ancestry. Recording what she learns in her diary, she feels the connection with her late grandfather who always believed she had the gift of writing. Many important bits of history are woven seamlessly into the story.
Readers will learn about Polleras, Patacones, Pelo malo, Bayano and the Cimarrones, the “Gold” and “silver” employees in Panama Canal, and so much more. An important addition to any bookshelf that strives for diverse representation.