Novel Review for Contemporary Realistic Fiction/ Module 4

Novel Review for Contemporary Realistic Fiction-If you come softly/ Module 4 Bibliographic Citation: Woodson, J. (1998). If you come softly. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. 181 pages. Summary: This novel revolves around pertinent issues in the lives of any adolescent: relationships, religion and race. The two main characters Jeremiah and Ellie meet by chance in the hallway at school as he helps her to pick up her books that have fallen. This chance meeting leads to a relationship in which their individual differences no longer matter. Their world becomes a place in which issues of race and religion are replaced by friendship, love, and their feelings for each other. Analysis: Relationships, dating and young love are issues that are such an integral part of the life of any young adult. An adolescent’s first encounter with love becomes such a strong presence, almost to the point of taking over thoughts, actions and decisions. Romance has been described as the wish to love and be loved, often with the successful pairing of a likable young couple. However, Woodson has brought together two individuals from two different worlds to form an unlikely, yet solid relationship. Their journey of discovering each other is told from each of their vantage points as they compare their unique relationship with the somewhat dysfunctional relationships of each of their family members. Their special bond also explores the issue of race and dating someone of a different race. While the majority of the book focuses on how the two main characters interact with each of their own families, the reader is left in the dark concerning the how the families would react to the issues of race and religion within the dating relationship of Ellie and Jeremiah. While these two characters confide their hopes, dreams and fears about their connection with each other, these feelings are confined for fear of the prejudice that could be shown because of their choices to love each other. Nilsen, A., Blasingame, J., Donelson, K., and Nilsen, D. (2012). Literature for today's young adults (9th ed.). New York: Pearson. Awards: Texas Lone Star book 2000-2001 ALA Best Book for Young Adults 2001 Detroit Public Library Author’s Day Award