Published by Nancy Paulsen Books

Summary:  Jacqueline Woodson drew on her childhood experiences growing up in the 1970’s Bushwick neighborhood of the Bronx to create the characters of 12-year-old Sage and her friends.  Sage is the best basketball player in the neighborhood, a talent she inherited from her late father, a firefighter who died on the job.  Fire is on the minds of everyone in the community that summer, as buildings are burning down with increasing frequency.  Sage’s mother is working hard to move out of Bushwick and into a safer brick house.  As the summer moves on, Sage has a frightening incident that leaves her questioning herself and temporarily giving up basketball.  Her good friend Freddy helps her get back, making it even harder when she learns that she’s moving at the end of the summer.  The last few pages move forward in time, showing how Sage makes a new life for herself in Queens and how her friendship with Freddy survives into adulthood.  Includes an author’s note about Jacqueline Woodson’s childhood experiences that inspired the book.  192 pages; grades 4-7.

Pros:  A poetic memoir that introduces readers to a close-knit community that’s being ravaged by circumstances beyond their control.  Sage deals with some tough emotional issues but is sustained by the love of family and friends, all of which is subtly expressed through Woodson’s beautiful writing.

Cons:  There was a brief mention near the end that landlords were responsible for the fires.  I was curious to learn more, but there was no mention of that in the author’s note.