Bright Red Fruit

"you might not understand it now,

but these rules are for your sake, not mine

i'm trying to keep you safe 

in this country where the culture is not our culture 

& the dangers are new dangers 

i am trying to keep you safe in a country i barely understand"

     Samira, protagonist of Safia Elhillo's Bright Red Fruit, has come into her teens in a community where girls are kept in line by strict and arbitrary rules and condemned as bad girls if they are perceived as breaking them. You probably know as well as me how well that works. Girls lead "doubled lives" hiding clothes and makeup that would be deemed unacceptable, lying about forbidden activities. Now sixteen, Samira and her besties, Lina and Tamadur, are experts at sneaking around, lying about activities, and hiding their shorts and crop tops.

     Samira has gotten on the bad side of the aunties, the authorities on vice and virtue. They gossip plenty, passing on unverified rumors, untrue rumors. Those allegations are really getting to her.

"every day i hear some story 

about someone seeing you around, 

what you're wearing, who you are with.

you are ruining your reputation 

& you are ruining mine."

    Samira aspires to become a poet and live in New York far from the eyes of the gossiping aunties. When a professional poet, an older man, begins to compliment her writing she falls and fast for him. When red flags begin to appear, when he treats her abusively and steals her work, she finds excuses for his behavior..

     ...until she feels that she's lost everything and everyone. 

     This poignant coming of age narrative is an engaging, insightful read for teens...

     ...and parents of teens.

On a purrrsonal note, I had the greatest Mothers Day. Eugene and I went on a road trip. We stopped at the Belfast Goodwill where he bought me some cool shirts. We had a Subway subs picnic. We stopped at Remys where he bought me what I wanted. It was such a beautiful drive with the new leaves, flowers, and flowering 💐 bushes! I talked to my kids who are so proud of me and excited about my rather eventful graduation. 

A great big shout out goes to the most wonderful kids in the world, namely mine.

Jules Hathaway 

Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone