Grown

Grown

YA fiction
"Yo, Malcolm X said it best. The most disrespected person in America
is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the
Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman."
Enchanted, protagonist of Tiffany D. Jackson's Grown, is a
member of a pretty large family. They'd moved from a home with her
grandmother near her beloved ocean to a bigger place in the suburbs.
She is one of the few non white students in her private school.
Little sister Shea is a freshman.
"...Three years we saved for this house that smells like wet
moss, its dampness leaving our skin chilled, the billowy white trees
blocking all traces of the sun. No soft waves or sweeping winds, just
a chorus of bugs and angrily chirping birds. We're now a school of
fish surrounded by white fisherman."
The family is stretched thin financially between mortgage,
private school, and all the other stuff. Enchanted spends a lot of
her out of school time babysitting the three youngest kids because
both parents need to work to keep the family housed, fed, and
educated. Only her father's union is about to go on strike.
Enchanted lives to sing and has reason to believe that she has
what it takes to make it as a professional. Much to her frustration,
her top priotity is the last on her mother's list, falling behind
school, activities, homework, and even housework. Her mom's top
priority is all that will pave the road to higher education.
Imagine how Enchanted feels when Korey Fields, her number one
music idol, who is also very good looking, sees her potential and
offers to be her mentor. And it's not long before their relationship
goes beyond professional. She is living her dream...
...until it morphs into nightmare. Korey becomes more demanding
and controlling. When he takes Enchanted on tour he starts trying to
convince her that her parents are begging him for money, seeing her as
their ticket out of financial precarity. There are rumors of other
girls he's done the way he's doing her.
When Enchanted wakes up out of a drugged sleep one day there is
blood all over. Korey is dead from multiple stab wounds. And the
police are banging on the door.
Well you know you want to learn how that ends up.
Although a work of fiction, Grown is also profound social
commentary. In her author's note Jackson tells us:
"This book is about the abuse of power. It's about the pattern
of excusing grown men for their behavior while faulting young girls
for their missteps.
It's about the blatant criticism of girls who were victims of
manipulation. It's about holding the right person accountable for the
crime he committed. It's about corporations attempting to silence
victims and continuing to profit off the very monster they helped
create."
If this fine book engages you as deeply as it engaged me you'll
be elated to learn that while I was researching more great books to
share with you (I make Santa look like a slacker on making a list and
checking it twice) I discovered another by Jackson that looks really
good. I'm going to put in for it through my ILL connections and share
it with you the moment I get my hands on it. That's a promise.
On a purrrsonal note, yesterday was my first time back at my student
job in dining. My manager, Michele, had a real surprise for me and
Tobago: an afghan she made herself in shades of rose, grey, and
white. It's incredibly soft--purrrfect for Tobago and me to snuggle
under while I read books to review. Nothing says you matter to
someone quite like a homemade gift. (Jules)
I love it!!! (Tobago)
A great big shout out goes out to Michele.
Tobago and Jules Hathaway





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