![SelectBooks](/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/selectbooks-logo-retina-1.png"){kind=logo}
This Side of Home
We all want to see our communities flourish. With Oregon’s growth and change in population, the impacts of development can seem like improvement to some residents yet negatively affect others. This piece of young adult fiction by award-winning Oregon author, Renée Watson, tells the story of twin sisters navigating such circumstances in their neighborhood. Maya and Nikki used to agree on almost everything but find themselves disagreeing about the path to progress for their community. One sister is deeply passionate about her community and its history. The other champions all that is new and changing. Watson masterfully allows the reader to experience the conflict through her writing and come to their own conclusions.
Author: Renée Watson
Year of Publishing: 2017
Number of Pages: 352
Please select book type and language before adding to your book bag.
Reviews
merrill0360 (verified owner) –
Powerful! Incredible writing. Renee Watson’s descriptive style drew me in. Definitely a relevant read!
Ashley Flowers (verified owner) –
Very inspirational. Touching, full of love
mwalker15 (verified owner) –
Very timeless novel about a high school senior navigating race, partnerships, friendships and leadership. Great read for middle-high!
Blibertad (verified owner) –
Compelling YA read.
nunnj (verified owner) –
Very beautifully written. Drew me in and made me relate and feel so much compassion for her as she navigated through the challenges and joy of life!
staceyw (verified owner) –
I really enjoyed this book and the views on change as related to race relations and how the characters, even thought twins, feel differently than the other.
Vanessa (verified owner) –
The morning I received this book, I opened it and started reading it immediately. I didn’t put it down again until I finished the book. Yes, it was that good. The author’s style of writing draws you in. It’s a fantastic book to read that makes you think about things and brings awareness and consciousness to topics. “This Side of Home” is an emotionally powerful story.
Andrea Smith (verified owner) –
A well written story about teens facing real concerns in their lives and the society around them. Lovely touches of Portland and Oregon history woven throughout.
wdonielson (verified owner) –
A very powerful, well-written book. Touching!
Reneekujala (verified owner) –
Another enjoyable read by Renee Watson. All of her books are on times topics and thoughtfully written.
JoAnna Lamb (verified owner) –
Incredibly well written book. I.may be biased because when I was a teen, Portland was my playground. I recognize everything mentioned.
Past that though, the social issues of today’s world are all addressed. No, they aren’t resolved, just as in real life they don’t get resolved either. It is nice to have a view into all sides of the issues though.
Overall, very well written.
kathyanng (verified owner) –
Touching! really makes you dig deep on if our beliefs are a product of our environment, or woven into us.
Faith (verified owner) –
Great book and very well written!
Kasyda (verified owner) –
The author took me convincingly into Maya’s life as a black high school student in Portland. I cannot wait to share this book with my now 9 yo granddaughter when she is a few years older.
ashleyjohnsonbend (verified owner) –
What a beautiful story to highlight resilience and the power of internal strength.
vireogirl (verified owner) –
YA-level writing but it drew me in eventually. Grappled with some real life problems.
Julie VanDeHey (verified owner) –
This Side of Home by Renée Watson is a heartfelt exploration of identity, community, and change. Through the eyes of twins Maya and Nikki, Watson masterfully captures the complexities of growing up in a gentrifying neighborhood. The novel’s vivid characters and authentic dialogue make the sisters’ journey relatable and poignant. Watson’s storytelling is both engaging and thought-provoking, making this a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary issues and the power of family and friendship. A truly beautiful and uplifting read!
Vivian Zagar (verified owner) –
Thoughtful YA book.
adriennepdx (verified owner) –
I grew up in North Portland, watched the gentrification happen in real time, and experienced many of the emotions displayed by both Maya and Nikki. Renee Watson describes the tension well, giving us characters who draw us in and encourage us to think about what change means.
TTMC55 (verified owner) –
A very powerful read!
Kimberly Nickel (verified owner) –
Reading this book, as an adult, gave me much needed insight into the struggles of our youth as they deal with racial issues, societal issues, community issues, and more. The issues are wrapped in a sweet coming of age story that I highly recommend. This book is being passed to my nieces as a must read.
Nickm (verified owner) –
Wonderful novel. Loved the history of Portland included through this story as well.
Holly Ryan (verified owner) –
A sweet story that brings to life struggles our children are facing.
MarvinsHouse (verified owner) –
Very well written. Could not put it down.
Emily Simpson (verified owner) –
Beautifully written and thought-provoking! It did a wonderful job at exploring issues around gentrification, and I loved the connections to Portland
Jennifer Monk (verified owner) –
I really enjoyed reading this book to know it’s what’s happening in my hometown . How even in same family it can have a different experience for each one I felt a great connection to this story as it is something my ex’s family has actually lived through.. very touching book. I just really loved reading it.
tlslibrary (verified owner) –
This book definitely shows both sides of issues. The characters are compelling and relatable. Great read for young adults to expose them to relevant societal complexities.
cast3219 (verified owner) –
Great writing and such good content! Great for readers young and old!
Jennifer Bell (verified owner) –
Well written and instantly connects you to the story and character.
cduarte (verified owner) –
Great books, with a strong message for anyone
[email protected] (verified owner) –
Great book as always Renée Watson for the win! Love her Portland roots coming through in most of her books.
Donna Scott (verified owner) –
Wow! What a “down home” story of life within families living in Portland!
mdoran (verified owner) –
Poignant story about identical twins that have always done everything together.
Only logged in users who have ordered this book can leave a review