Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
SOMEWHERE DIFFERENT NOW
COMING OF AGE, INTERRACIAL FRIENDSHIP, AND THE SEARCH FOR COURAGE
by
Donna Peizer
Genre/s
Fiction, Teen and Young Adult
Publish Date
December 3, 2021
Short Description
Somewhere Different Now is a heart-warming story of two disarmingly clever teens, one black, one white, who cleave to their hard-won friendship as societal racism threatens to tear them apart. Both girls are running away from trauma in their lives: for Annie it's a move from the only home she has ever known and an abusive encounter with her father, and for Clydeen, it's the violent death of her father and a mother gone missing. When their devotion to one another is threatened, a mysterious stranger appears and busts up their hideout. Clydeen falls in love with him. Annie is suspicious of him. But neither of them suspect what is really going on and where it will take them.
$13.99
or FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Book's Awards
Description
A cherished interracial friendship under threat. A creepy imposter conjured from the past. Where do you turn when you don’t know who to trust?
Fourteen-year-old Annie Cahill has been subjected to her father’s rage one too many times.
When she accidentally drops a glass milk bottle and chips the white porcelain surface of the kitchen sink in her father’s brand-new suburban house, he erupts in fury and gives her the beating of her life.
The next day, crying bitter tears, Annie sets out to look for a place of her own. Exploring a steep, rocky wash that ascends a nearby mesa, she finds the perfect place: an abandoned lean-to sheltering the entrance to a shallow cave. She names it “Annie’s Place.”
All is well until Annie discovers that a destitute Black girl by the name of Clydeen has taken over her secret hideout. Longing to make friends with someone her own age, Annie welcomes the traumatized girl and risks everything to provide for her. Stealing from her family’s larder, Annie is perpetually aware of the dire consequences she will face should her violent, racist father get the slightest whiff of what she’s up to.
Against all odds, Annie and Clydeen establish an unbreakable bond — or so they think. But as their time on the mesa comes to an end, old fears, suspicions, and misunderstandings resurface, and their hard-won friendship begins to unravel.
Until . . .
. . . from out of nowhere, a bizarre stranger invades their secret encampment.
Why has this stranger come, and what will it mean for Annie and Clydeen? To find out buy a copy of the book today. Dive into an engrossing tale of a forbidden friendship arising in the midst of the white supremacist ethos that existed in the early years post-World War II.
Book Trailer
Reviews Of The Book On BooksShelf
"Somewhere Different Now" offers a touching and thought-provoking exploration of friendship and societal divides. Annie Cahill's journey, set against the backdrop of post-World War II suburbia, is a compelling narrative of self-discovery and connection.
The unlikely friendship that blossoms between Annie and Clydeen Hollifield is the heart of the story, and it is beautifully portrayed. Their struggles and triumphs in navigating the racial tensions of their society add depth and relevance to the plot.
However, there are a few criticisms to consider. The pacing of the story can be somewhat uneven, with certain sections moving slowly while others are more dynamic. Additionally, the introduction of a mysterious stranger feels somewhat abrupt and may leave readers wanting more context and development.
In conclusion, "Somewhere Different Now" is a poignant and engaging read that highlights the power of friendship in the face of societal barriers. Despite minor pacing issues and the introduction of the enigmatic character, the book successfully delves into the complexities of post-war suburban life and the challenges of bridging racial divides. It's a heartwarming and relevant story that resonates with readers seeking a meaningful narrative.
"Somewhere Different Now" tells the story of two teenage girls, Annie and Clydeen, who become friends in the Colorado mountains in the summer of 1950.
Despite their differences, Annie and Clydeen develop a strong friendship based on trust and love.
Somewhere Different Now is a compelling read and a promising debut for author Peizer, with its memorable characters, thought-provoking themes, and vivid setting.
