Behind You

Behind You
by Jacqueline Woodson
Contemporary Fiction

Summary: Jeremiah (Miah) Roselind is dead because of a horrible police error. Those he left behind are having a difficult time dealing with his untimely death. In each chapter we are privy to the grieving process of Ellie, Miah’s white girlfriend; Nelia, his famous mom; and Carlton, his gay childhood friend. Miah helplessly looks down on his friends and family as they attempt to move on with their lives, but they are all stuck in complicated emotional pain. Woodson carries us through each of their fragile lives as they find healing for their wounded spirits. The book not only deals with death and dying, but also with living after a great loss. It is an easy-to-read book. Jacqueline Woodson often writes about the emotions of grief. She is a prolific African-American writer of young adult novels who has been nominated twice for the National Book Award, and was the 2001 recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award. .

Rationale for Use: Woodson’s issues know no color. Her plots are not complicated, but they are problems young people encounter in today’s world: racism, sexuality, love, and acceptance.

Content Area Connections: Most Reading SOL content areas could be addressed using Behind You, especially demonstrating a comprehension of fiction. Character traits and story elements can be easily adapted for classroom study. Here is an example for understanding imagery and figurative language (page 51): “Future like a big empty trick-or-treat bag at the beginning of Halloween night.”

Possible Concerns: This is a thought-provoking story and might not be received well by those students who are not ready to think "deep."

~Belinda Todd