Remember Us

Remember Us is a work of fiction based on historic reality. When Jacqueline Woodson was growing up in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn her neighborhood was the scene of so many house fires it was called the Matchbox. She brings this experience of precariousness alive for younger readers.
For Sage the summer she's twelve it seems that there are always blaring sirens and racing fire engines. There's always the stench of fire in the air where she lives. She knows families who were burned out. She and her mother keep emergency bags packed in case they have to flee their home if it goes up in smoke. She and her friends envy kids who don't have to fear flames or sleep with shoes and robes at the foot of their beds.
But she's not on board with her mother's efforts to move to a safer place. "Yeah, I wanted to be safe. But I wanted to be safe here." She knows here as home, the place she belongs, the site of joy—basketball and block parties—as well as tragedy.
While her mother tries to convince her of all they'd be gaining by moving, Sage is too fully aware of all they'd be leaving behind.
On a purrrsonal note, UMaine and surrounding towns are once again in the midst of a blizzard. Hopefully we won't lose power. Eugene is out plowing, earning more money toward paying bills. Tobago and I are wisely staying in. I have my homework, blogging, writing, and spring cleaning. She has her comfy bed for catnapping.
A great big shout out goes out to Eugene and the other blizzard battlers.
Jules Hathaway