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

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Reviews

merrill0360 (verified owner) – May 9, 2023

Powerful! Incredible writing. Renee Watson’s descriptive style drew me in. Definitely a relevant read!
Ashley Flowers (verified owner) – May 29, 2023

Very inspirational. Touching, full of love
mwalker15 (verified owner) – June 28, 2023

Very timeless novel about a high school senior navigating race, partnerships, friendships and leadership. Great read for middle-high!
Blibertad (verified owner) – July 16, 2023

Compelling YA read.
nunnj (verified owner) – July 20, 2023

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) – August 23, 2023

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) – September 6, 2023

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) – September 15, 2023

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) – September 27, 2023

A very powerful, well-written book. Touching!
Reneekujala (verified owner) – October 8, 2023

Another enjoyable read by Renee Watson. All of her books are on times topics and thoughtfully written.
JoAnna Lamb (verified owner) – October 30, 2023

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) – November 2, 2023

Touching! really makes you dig deep on if our beliefs are a product of our environment, or woven into us.
Faith (verified owner) – December 18, 2023

Great book and very well written!
Kasyda (verified owner) – December 19, 2023

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) – March 30, 2024

What a beautiful story to highlight resilience and the power of internal strength.
vireogirl (verified owner) – April 1, 2024

YA-level writing but it drew me in eventually. Grappled with some real life problems.
Julie VanDeHey (verified owner) – May 29, 2024

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) – June 12, 2024

Thoughtful YA book.
adriennepdx (verified owner) – June 17, 2024

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) – July 20, 2024

A very powerful read!
Kimberly Nickel (verified owner) – July 26, 2024

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) – July 29, 2024

Wonderful novel. Loved the history of Portland included through this story as well.