An amazing coming of age novel that follows the black experience through the lens of a ten-year-old girl in 1995 Michigan. Strong themes of healing from trauma and forgiving the ones you love. Strong character development. My one complaint is that it got wrapped up too quickly as if the writer was in a rush.
pickTrying to catch up on my #BOTMBacklog (and the annual #BOTMChallenge) before the 12/26 deadline! This debut novel, set in 1995 Lansing, MI makes for a a quick and compelling read! On the cusp of turning eleven, narrator KB and her older sister Nia spend the summer with their Granddaddy in this coming-of-age story. I loved the many references to Anne of Green Gables and KB‘s insatiable curiosity. It touches on some heavy topics but handled well!
pick#MMDSummerReading #MMDBookClub
#StoryGraph: fiction literary emotional reflective medium-paced
In the vein of Jesmyn Ward‘s Salvage the Bones and Sue Monk Kidd‘s The Secret Life of Bees, a coming-of-age novel told by almost-eleven-year-old Kenyatta Bernice (KB), as she and her sister try to make sense of their new life with their estranged grandfather in the wake of their father‘s death and their mother‘s disappearance.
panThis is told from the viewpoint of a 10 year old girl who goes to live with her “granddaddy” in Michigan for the summer. I thought it was pretty dull.
pickI really enjoyed this coming of age story of KB throughout the summer of her 11th year. Lots for her to process and though topics were heavy, Granddady and KB‘s relationship had enough sweetness to make this novel worth the time to read it.
pickGosh teenage angst combined with grief over the loss of a parent just isn‘t fair. Then throw in learning that grown-ass adults who should know better and do better are racist specifically toward you. Can I just give KB a hug!? #BookSpin @TheAromaofBooks
pickThis is an AMAZING book. I really enjoyed that the author chose to tell the book from KB's perspective. The innocent perspective of a child tackling hard issues about addiction, generational trauma, mental health, sexuality, & racism made the book digestible & gave it a quiet power. The writing consumed me. I definitely cried. The characters are so well written and sympathetic. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ It was beautiful & broke my heart.
New book recommendation videos are up! ⭐ 📚 ⭐ This week I talk about an exciting YA dragon duology and an adult title that I think might be one of my favorites of the year so far! ❤ Please give them a watch and a like! I really really appreciate it!
YA Book Recs: DRAGONS! 🐲
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-wPOGFCCkI&t=3s
Adult Book Recs: What the Fireflies Knew by Kai Harris 🐞
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7aDe4FVPlQ
pickThis is her debut novel and in my opinion she knocked it out of the park! I thoroughly enjoyed the audio version of this book and the family dynamics of the two sisters working through their relationships with each of their parents and grandfather and trying to reconcile the hurt caused and received, with the love they felt for each. I ain‘t gonna lie- I teared up a few times.
pan1.66⭐ This coming-of-age story didn‘t live up to my expectations of a book compared to Sue Monk Kidd‘s The Secret Life of Bees. Read my full review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#what-the-fireflies-knew
pick⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
I really enjoyed this debut novel and loved the voice of 11 year old KB throughout the book. And how much do you love the title and cover??😍😍😍
pickThis is a sweet, beautifully written coming-of-age story about a young black girl who is spending the summer with her teenage sister at her estranged grandfather's house. It deals with racism, family secrets, assault and sisters. I loved the character of KB, who at ten years old, catches fireflies and reads “Anne of Green Gables“ and tries to adapt to her new circumstances. This is a debut novel and I look forward to more from this author. 4/5.
pickI‘m generally not a fan of juvenile narrators of adult books, but KB grew on me. Like many 10 year olds, she‘s on the cusp of a world she wants to understand from why her mom sent her and her sister away after their dad died to the woman her 14 year old sister is blossoming into. Her granddad is a quiet man, but as they warm to each other, he helps her understand the world. A really nice coming of age novel. #botm
pickWow! I just finished this book earlier this morning and I know I'll be thinking about it for a long time! A beautifully written expression of some of the joys and heartbreaks of black girlhood. Equally enchanting and heartbreaking. I absolutely loved it! 💕📚💕 #catsoflitsy #littenkitten #jupiterjazz
January‘s edition of BookPage has my TBR overflowing and makes me want to crawl under a cozy blanket and spend the next month reading. So many good books to add to my list, including a few that will fit into #Booked2022 prompts (like the tagged book). I believe you can peruse it at www.bookpage.com if your local library doesn‘t carry it.
What the Fireflies Knew | 
