Shine: A Short Story

Shine is a short story, the prequel to Small Great Things. It tells the story of Ruth, a young black girl who is awarded a scholarship to attend a prestigious school in 1979. Ruth is bright and determined to succeed, but quickly realizes that the other students will not accept her, or treat her fairly. This story was a perfect way to increase my interest in reading the full-length novel!

a target because of her competence. The other girl wanted to use the best insult she could think of to beat her opponent . I always underestimate the power of jealousy. This is a great reminder for me. And yes, prejudice, was her ace in the hole.

Readers who got to know sisters Ruth and Rachel and their mother from "Small Things Great" will get to know them as a third and fifth grader respectively in "Shine." Set in 1979, readers send Ruth off to the exclusive Dalton School. Bright and motivated, Ruth earned a scholarship. Rachel, her opposite number remains in an inner city neighborhood school in Harlem.

Ruth has to try to cope with being the only black student at Dalton. Her mother's employer's chauffer would drive Ruth and another child named Christina to Dalton. Christina, also 8 is Ruth's mother's employer's daughter. The girls are taken by limousine to Dalton and would resume their friendship in Christina's room after school. Ruth would spend the remainder of the afternoon at Christina's apartment until her mother's shift ended at which point the two would take the bus back to Harlem.

Ruth's maternal grandmother is an important figure in the household. She and Ruth have intelligent conversations about the reality of racism and the history of racism in their own family as well as the more global social disease of bigotry. Ruth has doubts about Christina as Christina appears to shun her during school hours and some of the other girls make catty racist comments. One such young bigot, Maia, makes a comment that is so far over the line that Ruth hits her. Naturally Ruth is sent to the principal's office. The principal is not even remotely interested in hearing Ruth's side, but luckily her mother does and her grandmother provides her with added insight.

Ruth, unlike her sister shot for the stars. Fortunately their teacher taught a unit on astronomy. She takes Ruth under her wing and encourages her through an astral themed class project to continue to shoot for the stars.

The stars and their distance could be interpreted as a metaphor for the social and racial distance Ruth experiences with some of her peers. The song "Catch a Falling Star & Put it in Your Pocket" could well underscore this book.

In the prequel to Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult, we meet the main character Ruth. Ruth is a seven year old black girl living in Harlem with her mother, sister, and grandmother. When she gets awarded a scholarship to go to a new school, the same school as her friend Christina, the daughter of the woman her mother works for she is excited. But being the only black student comes with limitations she had not expected. Relationships are tested and examined in a new light. Ruth is learning a lot about people as well as herself in this new journey.

Great stories about a young black girl:Ruth and her experiences: going to a white only school, being friends with the daughter of the family her mother works for. She finds how different she is from others.

I love having the opportunity to see a young Ruth. It gives us a picture of how she developed her strength that was so profound in "All the Small Things". Both are a must read. She is one very special character.

Beautifully written, this book introduces you to a few characters to be in "Small Great Things" in such a way that you find yourself laughing, crying and wondering. It's a story that keeps you reading. I can't wait for "Small Great Things" to come out!

Great stories about a young black girl:Ruth and her experiences: going to a white only school, being friends with the daughter of the family her mother works for. She finds how different she is from others.

I love having the opportunity to see a young Ruth. It gives us a picture of how she developed her strength that was so profound in "All the Small Things". Both are a must read. She is one very special character.

Beautifully written, this book introduces you to a few characters to be in "Small Great Things" in such a way that you find yourself laughing, crying and wondering. It's a story that keeps you reading. I can't wait for "Small Great Things" to come out!

Eight-and-a-half year old Ruth starts third grade on scholarship in the private school of her mother's employer's daughter Christina and experiences culture shock from her previous school in Harlem. Ruth experiences subtle and not so subtle racism, as well as kindness from a loving teacher. Most disturbing is the difference in how Christina treats her in private and public.

While reading SHINE, I couldn't help but to feel like I was reading a well researched story written by a white woman trying to hit on all the racial inequities young Ruth might experience as the only black girl in her private school. I never actually felt like I was reading the POV of a young black girl. The voice felt artificial, at times like it was trying too hard, and at times like it wasn't trying hard enough.

The story didn't feel fresh or original. While I liked and empathized with Ruth, SHINE didn't inspire me to preorder SMALL GREAT THINGS.