If You Come Softly

Ellie isn't white. The idea that this is a story between a black and white person is innately racist as it overwrites and ignores Ellie's entire racial identity. Ellie is a racial minority and a person of color. She's actually from the most marginalized racial minority who face the most prejudice and are victims of hate crimes more than any other racial group. Pretending none of that exists and she's "white" when she's not caucasian and it's not her race or ethnicity whitewashes her heritage, strips her of her culture, history, DNA, roots, and more. It's an honestly dangerous premise when the ignorant and racist concept of the "over privilege Jew" is more damaging now than it has been a long time. Anti-semitism is up but acknowledgment is at an all time low. There is more anti-semitism now than there has been decades, yet more people deny its existence than in decades. There are two racial minorities dealing with issues as individuals and together, but so many people see it as a privileged white girl being oblivious to prejudice or racism. In the US 1 in 4 black people will be the victim of a hate crime in their lifetime, for Jews, it's 4X per person. Racial Jews absolutely understand being the victim of racism, and the Jewish religion is intrinsically linked to inclusion and standing up for the rights of others, evidence of which is seen by the fact of any racial, ethnic, or religious group, Jews are the least racist and the most likely stand up for the rights of other minortiies and marginalized communities.

I should have known better...I've been touched by Jaqueline Woodson's writing before.I picked up If You Come Softly after one of my 6th grade students recommended it to me. I read the first few chapters effortlessly, and when someone asked me what it was about, I simply said, "Not much." You see--it's not an in your face narrative. It's simple and soft, and the alternating perspectives are hardly noticed--all signs of outstanding writing. I was halfway through the book before I realized the gentle power of the story.Ellie and Miah attend the same school and have similar views of the world, but they are so different that their sudden love for each other seems impossible. Ellie is the white daughter of a distantly married couple; her numerous brothers and sisters are older and have moved throughout the country. Miah is the black son of celebrities who have recently separated. Both teenagers attend the exclusive Percy School, which is where they meet by chance and fall in love. Despite the stares and whispers, they choose to stay together and learn more about each other. Their love is mature and real (and the author spares us from unnecessary sex scenes). We know from page one that tragedy awaits this relationship, but it doesn't damper the unfolding of their relationship and our interest in the potential of their lives. They love each other innocently and completely, and they tip-toe cautiously into the world of each other's families.Woodson demonstrates a world view through the voices of these two high school characters--they understand more about race relations than most adults do. There are times, however, when their views of races seems too simplistic--perhaps this was intentional, or perhaps this is Woodson's own view. It's too easy to group together all "whites" or all "blacks" and to create stereotypes of old ladies who stare. But the overall message is appreciated.I can't say enough about the gentle nature of this story. How an author can provoke so much emotion in such a delicately written story is truly amazing. Woodson is a masterful writer, and this story is perfectly told.

My son is 15 and we both read this book. I enjoyed having something to talk about that was worthwhile between us. I loved that he knew what I meant for a change. I felt like I knew Jeremiah and I understood him. Parenting is unique for so many reasons, but I appreciate learning from other parent's mistakes and/or triumphs. Trying so hard not to spoil the story in my review. Suffice it to say that it is a good read.

If You Come Softly is the story of Ellie, a Jewish girl from Manhattan, and Micah, a Black boy from Brooklyn. Two 15 year olds who meet on their first day attending a fancy Private School in NY.Honestly, I have no words, other than to say, after I closed the book, I sat and I cried, and I cried. I can't even tell you how long I cried.This is a relatively short story, focusing on the relationship between Ellie and Micah, which occurs over a few short months. It is also the story of each teen's relationship with their parents and family.This book is fillled with some heavy, and thought-provoking issues centered around race, family, love, and what it means to truly see another person for what is inside their heart and soul.It is beautifully written and heartbreaking, and I strongly urge all of you to read it.

Very happy

The novel starts out ambitiously introducing a complex and interesting topic. Sadly, the author apparently bit off more that she could chew. Neither the plot nor the protagonists seems to develop. In the end he reader is left with more questions unanswered than they probably had before they read the novel; and I am not sure this was entirely intentional. Also the teenage protagonists seem to be far too mature, at least the way the author describes their conversations, thoughts and actions. Sadly it remains nothing more than a soppy love story that leaves the reader a tad disappointed due to the number of loose ends. Too bad :-(

Se supone que es un nivel B1 pero es bastante difícil de leer y utiliza mucha expresiones difíciles de traducir y entender, lo leí por obligación pero lo recomendaría para niveles más avanzado.