“I am learning to speak. To give myself a way out. A way in.” This is the inspiring quote that kicks off the entire story. Piecing Me Together, by Renee Watson, is a realistic fiction novel about a girl that's trying to find her own voice in the world. Jade is a 16-year old African American girl dealing with racism and financial struggles. She and her family live in a poor neighborhood in Portland, and she believes if she wants to have a future, she must get out. Jade gets chosen by her counselor to join a woman to woman club at her school. Her mentor for the group, Maxine, shows Jade new things around town. 

“There is nothing exquisite about my life. It's mine, though, so I'm going to make something out of it. But girls like me, with coal skin and hula-hoop hips, whose mommas barely make enough money to keep food in the house, have to take opportunities every chance we get.” Renee Watson did an amazing job with this novel, having great characterization and so much emotion into each chapter. Piecing Me Together gave me a point of view that I never had before. It made me realize that not all people come from the same backgrounds, and you never know what people are going through. I would totally recommend this novel to any teen who is looking for a great book for book club or just reading in general.