Tuesday, August 4, 2009

A Wish After Midnight


A Wish After Midnight
by Zetta Elliott 2008

Rating:10/5

I.Q. (Incredible quote, a line that is quotable, it can be funny, beautiful and/or deep) "Sometimes I feel like there's a tattoo on my forehead that says 'ghetto'. And I don't know if it'll ever go away, not even if I change my clothes, move out of this neighborhood, and graduate from college.. ... The thing is, everyone who's black ain't ghetto, and everyone who's ghetto ain't black." Genna

This book is amazing. I wanted to just read it all day, but I had to keep setting it down to pick up my siblings or go to my job (which made me irritable, I'm sure my family is relieved that I finished this book and they can talk to me again without fear of me biting their head off for interrupting my reading). As a full disclosure, Zetta did send me this book, but (as with all books I get sent) I reviewed this with no special treatment or preference or anything in mind. I am not exaggerating about how much I loved this book, if I hadn't liked it you would know.

The I.Q. line is something that I've tried to explain so many times, that 'everyone whose black isn't ghetto and everyone whose ghetto isn't black' to so many people, to no avail! I'm the farthest thing from ghetto, but there were kids in my middle school who were convinced that I was ghetto, like Genna says (I'm paraphrasing here) about Hannah (a white lady who befriends her) you can tell that people are disappointed that you aren't acting ghetto or 'black enough' around them. I was really able to relate to Genna and so many thoughts that I'd had (like the ghetto quote) were expressed in this book.

My favorite character is Genna. I see myself in her for the most part. I admire the fact that she is so determined to get out of her bad neighborhood and go to college and become a psychiatrist. I also admire her strength and work ethic "sometimes people give you things and they don't know when to stop. They give too much, 'cause they want to fix all your problems, but sometimes you got to fix your own problems, your own kind of way." I think she really grows when she's transported back in time, positive changes and real growth occur.
AWAM is about 15 year old Genna Colon (she's Panamanian and Black like me!!), who lives in a bad Brooklyn neighborhood that she wants to get away from. Genna believes in wishes and everyday she visits a fountain in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and throws a penny in and makes a wish. She wishes that she were different and that she could be someone else and live a different life. She gets her wish and goes back in time to 1863 Brooklyn. Life in 1863 Brooklyn isn't necessarily any easier than life in 2001 Brooklyn.

My other favorite character is Paul. There are two boys in Genna's life, Judah and Paul. Judah is the boy from 2001 Brooklyn and Paul is a boy she meets in 1863 Brooklyn. Judah likes reggae, has dreadlocks, and is Jamaican. He's serious, has strong opinions and doesn't like America. He wants to visit and maybe even live in Africa. I liked Judah in the Italicbeginning of the book, but he really got on my nerves afterwards (read the book to find out why!). Paul on the other hand is different. Part of the difference may have to do with the different time periods, Judah living in the present, Paul in the past. Paul is half-white, half-black, funny and saves Genna's life. He asks permission to "call on her" (so cute! ahh 1800s romance...), but Genna refuses because she feels beholden to Judah. I don't really understand why Genna is so loyal to Judah since they are in two different time periods. I think it's because Judah made her feel special for the first time in her life and so she doesn't want to let him go because she's afraid no other guy will find her special. But Paul does find her special! He listens to her as well. Forget Team Edward and Team Jacob (I'm no Twilight fan), there should be a Team Judah and a Team Paul! I'm definitely on Team Paul. Thank goodness there will be a sequel, Judah's Tale (release date TBA). Hopefully, Paul will be back and Genna will come to her senses!

Another interesting part of the story was the attitude that white abolitionists in the North held towards African Americans. They wanted to help them, but still viewed AAs as inferior. They didn't want them to be slaves, but they didn't think they could go to college or hold certain jobs. The author did an excellent job of using dialogue and details to showcase that fact.

I can't stress enough, why people should read this book. I didn't find the book as much sci-fi /fantasy as I did historical fiction. An interesting aspect of the time traveling was that (unlike in other books I've read about time travel) while Genna was in 1863, life in 2001 moved on. Usually, time stops or the person isn't gone for as long as they think they are. I can't recommend this book enough. 8th grade and up. For historical fiction lovers, sci-fi/fantasy (time travel element) lovers, fans of realistic fiction and all people who just want to read an amazing story. The characters are deep and complex, the plot is new (I didn't know anything about New York City during the 1860s, especially the fact that there were riots going on during the Civil War in NYC) and the writing is just all around superb. Warning: The ending is a cliffhanger, be prepared! This book is in my list of top 10 favorite books.

A bit off topic here but today Reading in Color is celebrating two special events! Today is our president Mr. Barack Obama's birthday (I am an unapologetic Obama fan). Happy birthday Mr. President!!

And today is Reading in Color's one-month anniversary! We made it :) Congrats to us and our followers/readers! Thanks for all the support and I'm sure this blog will continue to grow and get even better. In honor of this one-month anniversary, a contest will (hopefully) be announced this weekend. Stay tuned!

22 comments:

  1. Loved your review and I'm sure Zetta is crazy happy. You have no idea of thrilled I am to read your review not just because you loved the book (that makes me happy) but because it resonated with you, because you gained something from it. Knowing a reader connects with your work is the highest compliment in my mind (I'm a wannabe writer still I think real writers feel this way).

    Happy 1 month!

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  2. Happy one month anniversary on the blog, what a great accomplishment for you! And even more, how fortunate those of us as your readers are to have you from whom to learn! I learned today from your review, thank you for sharing so honestly about your feelings.

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  3. Ari, I loved your enegry for this review. Your Team Judah/Team Paul made me smile. I am also looking forward to Judah's Tale.

    Happy one month

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  4. Susan's right--I *am* crazy happy, just thrilled you gave my book a chance and found it worthwhile. I'm hoping your energy's contagious, and that I'll soon get back to work on Judah's Tale...though you review so many great books, it's tempting to just flake out and read for the rest of the summer! Happy One-Month Anniversary!

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  5. Team Paul all the way! Oh Zetta how can you maim him? :(
    Thank you Rasco, I don't know if people will learn from me, but I do know that I will learn from them.
    Zetta you can do it! I'll be sending positive, energetic thoughts your way :)

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  6. I think you're too hard on Judah. While he may not be Paul and he may be flawed, I see the good in him. I see passion and conviction. We're all flawed on some level. Now if Zetta makes him out be a monster, feel free to stick your tongue out at me. lol

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  7. Thanks for this great review. Zetta is an amzing writer, and I'm so glad that she has gotten direct feedback from her inteneded audience. Congrats on your anniversary and keep up the great work!

    Paul was my favorite too~

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  8. Ari! Happy Blogiversary! * hugs *

    Man, I wanna read AWAM. :o)

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  9. I just finished the book and totally agree with your review, down to being on Team Paul! I agree with you about why Genna might favor Judah. But he was totally getting on my nerves too! :--) I guess that makes him more real though. Great review and great interview that follows! And happy one month!

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  10. Are we forgetting that Judah ended up back in time trying to help Genna or what how he tried to protect her when she was shot? Can a brotha get no love?

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  11. no I'm not forgetting, I just didn't want to put that in the review and spoil it. You're right, Judah isn't all bad. He does protect Genna, but he also spies on her and does other uneccesary (sometimes rude) things.

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  12. The boy was brutalized, traumatized. He is going to act in extreme ways at times. I'm not saying his behavior is always justified, but I think it's important to remember the context.

    We know very little about Paul. I'm sure being biracial means he's got baggage of his own. We simply haven't seen how his own racial identity has affected his behavior and perspective.

    Judah is flawed but that shows us more about his humanity. Paul at this point, is a romantic figure, a counter to the black male who has been enslaved and tortured. Paul has suffered because of his parentage but he has not endured what Judah has. He has not been a boy who was once free, enslaved and then a runaway.

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  13. What a great review, which really captures the flavor of Zetta's book. You make me want to read it again! And I have to admit, I'm on team Paul as well, if only because I think he might treat Genna better than Judah does, and she deserves it! Happy one month anniversary as well. Really impressive blog.

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  14. Sounds like an interesting book! It doesn't look like my library has it, so I'll be entering your contest :)

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  15. I'd (still) like to read this book. The part about the abolitionists attitudes towards African-Americans particularly intrigues me.

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  16. What an amazing quote. And so true about stereotypes. Great review.

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  17. This sounds like a really great book and one that would be awesome to add to my classroom library. I lack historical fiction pieces! Thanks for the review of the book.

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  18. From the review, it sounds like the book is very interesting... I like the time travel aspect, historical fiction books are great! You really shared your enthusiasm for the book and it's contagious :)

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  19. This book sounds absolutely incredible! I love stories about time travel, and with the historical and romantic elements it sounds perfect. I want to read this book SO BADLY!!!!

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  20. Congrats on your blog anniversity. This sounds like a great book, and one I will be adding to my must read list. Thanks for sharing.

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  21. This sounds like a fantastic book! I absolutely love your review. I love the parts when you're describing the two guys! I love the sound of Paul!!!

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  22. Both guys sound great but Judah sounds like a someone I actually know.

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I love to hear from you!! Thank you for sharing :) And don't be Anon, I try to always reply back and I like to know who I'm replying to ;)