Jacqueline Woodson’s latest novel is slight but dense, packing a multigenerational family story into a slim 208 pages. Set in Brooklyn, Red at the Bone traces the ramifications of an unplanned teenage pregnancy through multiple lifetimes, with chapters shifting between eras as characters face challenges related to prejudice, parenthood and ambition. Woodson—a National Book Award-winning author—approaches weighty topics with wit and levity, weaving elements of popular culture and sharp teenage dialogue into a narrative about the enduring power of community.
Buy now: Red at the Bone