RENÉE WATSON is the Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award-winning author of the novels Piecing Me Together, This Side of Home, What Momma Left Me, Betty Before X, co-written with Ilyasah Shabazz, and two picture books: Harlem's Little Blackbird and A Place Where Hurricanes Happen. Renée is the founder of I, Too, Arts Collective, a nonprofit committed to nurturing underrepresented voices in the creative arts. She lives in New York City.

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2018 Newbery Honor Book and Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner

'Important and deeply moving' JOHN GREEN

'Timely and timeless' JACQUELINE WOODSON

Jade is a girl striving for success in a world that seems like it's trying to break her.

She knows she needs to take every opportunity that comes her way. And she has: every day Jade rides the bus away from her friends to a private school where she feels like an outsider, but where she has plenty of opportunities.

But some opportunities Jade could do without, like the mentor programme for 'at-risk' girls. Just because her mentor is black doesn't mean she understands where Jade is coming from. Why is Jade always seen as someone to fix? But with a college scholarship promised at the end of it, how can Jade say no?

Jade feels like her life is made up of hundreds of conflicting pieces. Will it ever fit together? Will she ever find her place in the world? More than anything, Jade just wants the opportunity to be real, to make a difference.

NPR's Best Books of 2017

A 2017 New York Public Library Best Teen Book of the Year

Chicago Public Library's Best Books of 2017

A School Library Journal Best Book of 2017

Kirkus Reviews' Best Teen Books of 2017

2018 Josette Frank Award Winner

An important and deeply moving novel. Highly recommended.

Watson's elegantly crafted novel speaks to the myriad of people who find themselves searching for themselves in the world. Timely and timeless ... There is a little bit of Jade in all of us

An inspirational and complex character who continually focuses our attention on the beauty of all things black ... Very rewarding

Be uplifted, have a little cry and lose yourself to the wonderful story of teenager Jade

Watson, with rhythm and style, somehow gets at the toxicity of sympathy, the unquenchable thirst of fear, and the life-changing power of voice and opportunity, all wrapped up in Jade ... A book you'll want to hug!

A nuanced story about girls navigating the landmines of others' good intentions, Piecing Me Together will make readers wrestle with every assumption they have about race, economic class, and so-called at-risk kids ... Watson is a top-rate storyteller

Jade's narrative voice offers compelling reflections on the complexities of race and gender, class and privilege, and fear and courage ... Teeming with compassion and insight, Watson's story trumpets the power of artistic expression to re-envision and change the world.

Through Jade's insightful and fresh narration, Watson presents a powerful story that challenges stereotypes ... A timely, nuanced, and unforgettable story about the power of art, community, and friendship

Unique and thought-provoking

A balancing act between class, race, and social dynamics, with Watson constantly undercutting stereotypes and showing no fear in portraying virtues along with vices. The book's defiance of a single-issue lens will surely inspire discussion and consideration

Questions of race, self-acceptance, and self-worth are the focus of this book and will give young women a chance to realise that they are worthwhile just being themselves ... All students would benefit from reading this book.