I'd read some Jacqueline Woodson as a fifth grade teacher so thought I'd give this novel a try. Red at the Bone is the story of a family, told from the perspective of each of the family members. It is about how one action leads all involved to a certain lifetime. The timeline of the story is disjointed, with each family member reflecting back to moments in the past, moments that are defining and dictate the future of them all. But that's okay. That's how the reader is able to get to the heart of each of the characters.
The novel starts with Melody celebrating her 16th birthday which is a milestone in her family. She's surrounded by her mother, her father, her grandparents and dear friends. Melody is wearing the dress that was bought for her mother 16 years earlier, that her mother, Iris, was unable to wear because of her unplanned pregnancy.
Woodson includes significant historical moments. The Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921. The attack on the World Trade Center in 2001. She includes themes of race, coming of age, self-discovery, poverty, education, commitment to family, and life choices.
It was a very deep book. It might not be for everyone, but I really enjoyed it.
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