Wings of Ebony

I have made it to the end and I LOVED it. This book is at once YA, but something I would have no problem (and will probably) handing over to my 5th grade nephew. The cover may be purple/pink and gold but there is something there for everyone.

Rue is just a girl in her hood, East Row. Or at least

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she was just a girl. Until the day her mother died. She had no idea that magic existed, and that she can possess it. But in typical fashion for someone who feels abandoned, she is not too happy with the father she just met. Not only has he not been in the picture for as long as she could remember, but he has taken her away from her hood, from her sister, and from the life she was living. Magic is nice and all, but Rue would give it all back to have her sister.

There are lots of discussions of #TeamJamal, or #TeamJulius. I can’t really pick on. I lean one way, but the thing is, this isn’t a romance. There are some feelings, but it’s a side action. We are just barely introduced to these characters. This story is not about a love triangle. This story is about Rue, her sister, and her home. All of her homes.

But something sinister is going on in the Row. Guns, Drugs, Thugs. And somehow her sister is involved. Rue is going to get to the bottom of the danger in her hood, figure out her new magical life, and hopefully survive the entire ordeal.

Readers will see modern politics reflected in these pages, but it is reflected in a way that is approachable and makes for teachable moments. Black kids will see themselves, their family, their home. White kids, hopefully will get a better understanding of what it feels like to be Black in american society or at least hopefully understand why or how our views are flawed. Bri is an example of someone who doesn’t understand at first but tries to learn, like many in our modern society should try to do.

This book was a fabulous read. The Black Girl Magic spills from the pages. And while I was constantly asking questions, or was annoyed with Rue for not giving her dad a chance, it all was wrapped up in a nice neat package that left a smile on my face at the end. But the story hasn’t ended, and as a member of Rue’s Crew, I am really hoping J. Elle will be generous with galleys for book 2. I don’t think I can wait an entire nother year to find out what happens in Ghazan.

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