Our Friendship Matters
By Kimberley B. Jones
* Publication date: October 5th, 2020
* Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Leah and Sasha are 17-year-old friends who had been close to one another since elementary school, but as the summer approaches they find their friendship tested in ways they never anticipated.
Following graduation, Sasha’s privileged life and perception of the world around her is suddenly altered when an old childhood friend persuades her to join in a campaign against an injustice after his best friend is killed by a cop.
But joining the protest has unforeseen consequences for Sasha, distancing her from Leah, who becomes jealous of Sasha’s new friends and finds herself on the opposing side, protesting alongside her group of new white friends.
As the tension mounts between the two bitterly opposed factions, a tragedy strikes and threatens to make Sasha and Leah enemies. Can they find a way to resolve their differences, putting them to the side and learn to accept each other’s viewpoints? Or is their long friendship finished for good?
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EXCERPT:
As we pulled out of the driveway, Dad waved goodbye. I could picture the smile on his face once he walked into the house and noticed Mom was cooking lasagna.
“So, how is the public-school life at Eastview High?” I asked Ricardo. “Other than Chester beating your guys in sports.”
“Ya’ll just have better resources than us,” Ricardo said.
“How come we couldn’t just be good at what we do?”
“What! Anyway . . . Eastview is great, I guess, but we are dealing with some issues. It’s our senior year and I am just thinking about leaving this place.”
“Why would you want to leave?”
“Because I feel trapped in a box. Everywhere I go, I feel like a suspect.”
“A suspect, what makes you think that? You shouldn’t feel like that,” I said as my brow lifted from his response.
“Yeah, I know you wouldn’t understand because you go to this perfect private school and stay in this big, beautiful house.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’m sorry. Just drop me off at the next block. I got it from there.”
I pulled to the curb and, as Ricardo got out of the car, he leaned against the closed door—with half his body leaning over the window—and said, “Wake up and find out who you really are.”
I squinted my eyes, “Okay.” I drove off. Why would he say such a thing to me?
Meet the AuthorKimberley B. Jones is a small country girl from St. George, SC. She followed her heart in college writing children books. Recently she decided to challenge herself and branch off to novels. She is your typical nomad who moves from place to place. Not by choice, but her husband serves in the military. She has a bachelors and masters in early childhood education. Kimberley is represented by Rhetaskew Publishing company and is best known for her debut novel, Our Friendship Matters.
When she is not writing, she is either thinking of another topic or reading. She loves writing , it gives her a chance to escape into another human character and express herself, other than being your typical mother and wife. If you don't want to be on her bad side, then she needs her white chocolate mocha every morning. Some days Folgers breakfast blend coffee is okay.
Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have you ever found yourself on opposite sides of something with a friend?
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Friendship does indeed matter. I still regret some that I have let go over the years and hope that Sasha and Leah find a way to make theirs work.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting way to talk about some really important and timely issues, Mason! And it sounds like a topic that would really be relevant for YA readers. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFriendship is important and should be equal. Sometimes it is strained and cannot survive the difficulties and values we have. Thanks for your great feature and giveaway.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great and incredibly timely book!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a good read. Friendship is everything, especially in families.
ReplyDeleteFriendship is so important to teens especially. My best friend from the age of 3 through high school was more of a sister. I didn't want to hang out with my family, I wanted to hang out with her. Friends help kids get ready to leave their family for adulthood. Sounds like this is a great read.
ReplyDelete