Book info:
Title: Color Me In
Author: Natasha Diaz
Genre: YA contemporary, #ownvoices
Release Date: August 20th, 2019
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Source: ARC received from publisher which did not influence my opinion
My rating: 5 stars
Synopsis:
Debut YA author Natasha Diaz pulls from her personal experience to
inform this powerful coming-of-age novel about the meaning of friendship, the
joyful beginnings of romance, and the racism and religious intolerance that can
both strain a family to the breaking point and strengthen its bonds.
inform this powerful coming-of-age novel about the meaning of friendship, the
joyful beginnings of romance, and the racism and religious intolerance that can
both strain a family to the breaking point and strengthen its bonds.
Who is Nevaeh Levitz?
Growing up in an affluent suburb of New York City,
sixteen-year-old Nevaeh Levitz never thought much about her biracial roots.
When her Black mom and Jewish dad split up, she relocates to her mom’s family
home in Harlem and is forced to confront her identity for the first time.
sixteen-year-old Nevaeh Levitz never thought much about her biracial roots.
When her Black mom and Jewish dad split up, she relocates to her mom’s family
home in Harlem and is forced to confront her identity for the first time.
Nevaeh wants to get to know her extended family, but one of her cousins
can’t stand that Nevaeh, who inadvertently passes as white, is too privileged,
pampered, and selfish to relate to the injustices they face on a daily basis as
African Americans. In the midst of attempting to blend their families, Nevaeh’s
dad decides that she should have a belated bat mitzvah instead of a sweet
sixteen, which guarantees social humiliation at her posh private school. Even
with the push and pull of her two cultures, Nevaeh does what she’s always done
when life gets complicated: she stays silent.
can’t stand that Nevaeh, who inadvertently passes as white, is too privileged,
pampered, and selfish to relate to the injustices they face on a daily basis as
African Americans. In the midst of attempting to blend their families, Nevaeh’s
dad decides that she should have a belated bat mitzvah instead of a sweet
sixteen, which guarantees social humiliation at her posh private school. Even
with the push and pull of her two cultures, Nevaeh does what she’s always done
when life gets complicated: she stays silent.
It’s only when Nevaeh stumbles upon a secret from her mom’s past,
finds herself falling in love, and sees firsthand the prejudice her family
faces that she begins to realize she has a voice. And she has choices. Will she
continue to let circumstances dictate her path? Or will she find power in
herself and decide once and for all who and where she is meant to be?
finds herself falling in love, and sees firsthand the prejudice her family
faces that she begins to realize she has a voice. And she has choices. Will she
continue to let circumstances dictate her path? Or will she find power in
herself and decide once and for all who and where she is meant to be?
My Review:
This is definitely going to be one of the best books I've read this year. There was so much to this story, things that if you aren't in that situation, you have no idea about what really happens. Knowing that the author grew up with this type of life totally made this stand out so much for me. But not only was it a really deep look at that, it totally was a teenager's story. First off, as much as Nevaeh was going through herself, she soon had to realize that she wasn't the only one going through things. Her friends were; her family, including her cousins, mother, aunt, uncle, grandpa, were all going through stuff. And not just them, but even people like her rabbi that was helping her go through to get ready for her bat mitzvah. There was also poetry in the book, poetry that the main character was fitting to her current feelings and situation. Nevaeh also found her mother's diary, and for her to see what led up to her mom and dad getting together, as well as what her mom dealt with as a teenager was so perfect for this story.
Personally, at my age, it really stood out to me that now we have stories about teenagers who their parents were young when 9/11 happened. As someone who was a teacher at the time, that really makes me feel even older. But reminds me of all the things that I hear my parents talk about that I wasn't alive for, but that was such a major event in their lives.
About the Author:
Giveaway:
- 3 winners will receive a finished copy of COLOR ME IN, US Only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
8/1/2019-
Kait Plus Books- Excerpt
8/2/2019-
Utopia State of Mind- Review
Week Two:
8/5/2019-
Lifestyle of Me- Review
8/6/2019-
Country Road
Reviews-
Review
8/7/2019-
Mythical Books- Excerpt
8/8/2019-
BookHounds YA- Review
8/9/2019-
Books and Ladders- Review
Week 3:
8/12/2019-
Wonder Struck- Review
8/13/2019-
dwantstoread- Review
8/14/2019-
My Creatively Random Life- Excerpt
8/15/2019-
Confessions
of a YA Reader- Excerpt
8/16/2019-
Jena Brown Writes- Review
Week 4:
8/19/2019-
We Live and
Breathe Books- Review
8/20/2019-
Eli to the nth- Excerpt
8/21/2019-
A Gingerly Review- Review
8/22/2019-
Novel Novice- Excerpt
8/23/2019-
Owl Always Be Reading- Excerpt
Week 5:
8/26/2019-
Lisa Loves Literature- Review
8/27/2019-
Book-Keeping- Review
8/28/2019-
PopTheButterfly Reads- Review
8/29/2019-
Two Chicks on Books- Excerpt
8/30/2019-
Two points of interest- Review
-->
Please follow and like us:
0
0
0
20
This looks like an interesting read. Thanks for the giveaway!
It was really good. Thanks for stopping by!
Lovely review! It sounds like a really well done novel. Thanks for sharing.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
I think it will be a big hit. Thanks for visiting!
Excellent review. I have this on my TBR, but you've highlighted so many reasons why I should move it up on my list. I am really going to enjoy this book too as it will make me think and see the world differently.
It's highly worth reading, hopefully you get a chance soon! Thanks for stopping by!
This book hadn't been on my radar before this blog tour, but it's definitely there now. It sounds like a really powerful read for many reasons!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Oh my gosh, you should totally read this one! It is so good! Thanks for visiting!
Thanks for the review. This has been on my TBR and I look forward to reading this. The book's topic/themes are quite timely for today.
It is definitely a timely story. Thanks for stopping by!
I have seen a lot of people loving this one lately so it's going to be another one on my TBR. It sounds like this author has written a fictional story but also been able to sprinkle in some of her own experiences because this is own voices. It sounds amazing and like one I am going to really appreciate reading as well.
It's sooooo good! Check it out if you get the time! Thanks for visiting!