Book review - Some Places More Than Others

Title: Some Places More Than Others
Author: Renee Watson
Genre: realistic fiction
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                      Amina's Voice by Hena Khan Rating:

pretty lovable

Summary (provided by publisher): All Amara wants for her birthday is to visit her father's family in New York City--Harlem, to be exact. She can't wait to finally meet her Grandpa Earl and cousins in person, and to stay in the brownstone where her father grew up. Maybe this will help her understand her family--and herself--in new way.
But New York City is not exactly what Amara thought it would be. It's crowded, with confusing subways, suffocating sidewalks, and her father is too busy with work to spend time with her and too angry to spend time with Grandpa Earl. As she explores, asks questions, and learns more and more about Harlem and about her father and his family history, she realizes how, in some ways more than others, she connects with him, her home, and her family.

My opinion: As I read through this book, I was initially unimpressed. The exploration of family secrets is fairly standard. In fact, it has some notable plot failings. There are moments that don't make much sense. Even the inciting incident - Amara's mother is insistent that she is too young to visit New York. Then suddenly, without explanation, she not only changes her mind, she expects Amara to help mend the rift between her father and grandfather. And for a rift that has lasted over a decade, it's resolved quickly, with a calm conversation. I'd also complain that her dad is very dismissive of Amara's feelings regarding her relationship with her mother. Amara says that she feels like she doesn't live up to her mother's expectations, the very thing that lies between the father and grandfather, but the father waves this away. Even with all of these concerns, I still love this book. I love the exploration of the ways that a place make us who we are, that we are more than just our experiences. We are generations of history. And that is a beautiful idea to contemplate.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.