BOOK REVIEW

Reviw by Allison Mayhew

Jacqueline Woodson’s “Red at the Bone”

“Red at the Bone” by Jacqueline Woodson is a thought-provoking novel that explores family dynamics and identity. The story follows the contrasting lives of two teen parents, Aubrey and Iris, who are affected by class differences and social standards.

Throughout the novel, the two parents differ over conflicting values, as Iris evades her duties as a mother. The narrative is told from multiple perspectives and jumps back and forth in time, up until their daughter, Melody’s, 16th birthday. Woodson’s writing captures human emotions and experiences strongly, creating very multidimensional characters. Additionally, she explores the complexities of race, class and identity, and shows how the characters are shaped by these factors. Overall, Woodson is an exceptional author whose writing explores important themes, making this book a mustread for everyone.