Some Places More Than Others by Renée Watson

SOME PLACES MORE THAN OTHERS seemed like another title that would explore identity, heritage, and growing up in a positive and interesting way, delving in deeper to serious issues rather than merely scratching at the surface as so many books aimed at teens seem to do. I don't read a lot of middle grade books, but I enjoyed Watson's contribution to the YA title, WATCH US RISE, that I really wanted to see more of her work. Instagram || Twitter || Facebook || Amazon || Pinterest Renée graduated from The New School, where she studied Creative Writing and earned a certificate in Drama Therapy. She has facilitated poetry and theatre workshops with young girls coping with sexual and physical abuse, children who have witnessed violence, children coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and children who relocated to New York City after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. One of Renée’s passions is using the arts to help youth cope with trauma. She also facilitates professional development workshops for teachers and artists. Renée has worked in public schools and community organizations as an artist in residence for several years, teaching poetry, fiction, and theater in Oregon, Louisiana, and New York City. When Renée is not writing and performing, she is teaching. Her poetry and articles have been published in Rethinking Schools, Theatre of the Mind and With Hearts Ablaze. Renée’s one woman show, Roses are Red, Women are Blue, debuted at New York City's Lincoln Center at a showcase for emerging artists.

Her middle grade novel, What Momma Left Me debuted as the New Voice for 2010 in middle grade fiction by The Independent Children's Booksellers Association. Renée Watson is the author of the children’s picture book, A Place Where Hurricanes Happen (Random House, June 2010), which was featured on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. Amara can't help wondering, even if she does discover more about where she came from, will it help her know where she belongs? Plus her father is too busy working to spend time with her and too angry to fix his relationship with Grandpa Earl. It's noisy, crowded, confusing, and her cousins can be mean. But New York City is not exactly what Amara thought it would be. Maybe this will help her understand her family – and herself – in a new way. 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.

All of these places made me, are making me.'Īll Amara wants for her birthday is to visit her father's family in New York City – Harlem. 'Some of the places I am still getting to know, some of these places I have known all my life. From New York Times bestselling and multi award-winning author Renée Watson comes a heartwarming and inspiring middle grade novel about finding deep roots and exploring the past, the present, and the places that make us who we are.

Some Places More Than Others by Renée Watson