Red at the Bone: A Novel — Content Guide for Parents
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Called one of the Top 10 Literary Fiction titles of Fall by Publishers Weekly.
An extraordinary new novel about the influence of history on a contemporary family, from the New York Times-bestselling and National Book Award-winning author of Another Brooklyn and Brown Girl Dreaming.
Two families from different social classes are joined together by an unexpected pregnancy and the child that it produces. Moving forward and backward in time, with the power of poetry and the emotional richness of a narrative ten times its length, Jacqueline Woodson's extraordinary new novel uncovers the role that history and community have played in the experiences, decisions, and relationships of these families, and in the life of this child.
As the book opens in 2001, it is the evening of sixteen-year-old Melody's coming of age ceremony in her grandparents' Brooklyn brownstone. Watched lovingly by her relatives and friends, making her entrance to the soundtrack of Prince, she wears a special custom-made dress. But the event is not without poignancy. Sixteen years earlier, that very dress was measured and sewn for a different wearer: Melody's mother, for her own ceremony-- a celebration that ultimately never took place.
Unfurling the history of Melody's parents and grandparents to show how they all arrived at this moment, Woodson considers not just their ambitions and successes but also the costs, the tolls they've paid for striving to overcome expectations and escape the pull of history. As it explores sexual desire and identity, ambition, gentrification, education, class and status, and the life-altering facts of parenthood, Red at the Bone most strikingly looks at the ways in which young people must so often make long-lasting decisions about their lives--even before they have begun to figure out who they are and what they want to be.
Read by Jacqueline Woodson, with Quincy Tyler Bernstine (Sabe), Peter Francis James (Po’Boy), Shayna Small (Iris), and Bahni Turpin (Melody)
Frequently asked questions
Is Red at the Bone: A Novel appropriate for a 7-year-old?
No explicit violence is mentioned in the book's narrative. The focus is on familial relationships and personal growth rather than violent events or actions. There is no mention of genuinely frightening content in the book. The themes revolve around family dynamics and personal identity rather than horror or terror.
Does Red at the Bone: A Novel have violence?
No explicit violence is mentioned in the book's narrative. The focus is on familial relationships and personal growth rather than violent events or actions.
Does Red at the Bone: A Novel have scary content?
There is no mention of genuinely frightening content in the book. The themes revolve around family dynamics and personal identity rather than horror or terror.
Does Red at the Bone: A Novel have religious themes?
The story touches on themes related to Christian faith, particularly through the character Iris, who experiences expulsion from parochial school, reflecting on feelings of fear and shame associated with her family's religious background. This indicates a critical perspective on the impact of religion on personal identity.
Does Red at the Bone: A Novel have racial/cultural content?
The book addresses racial themes, particularly through the historical context of the Tulsa Race Massacre and its impact on the characters' lives. It explores the intersection of race, class, and identity, making these themes central to the narrative.
Does Red at the Bone: A Novel have profanity?
The book contains instances of profanity, as noted by the character Melody, who is advised to stop cursing. This suggests that the dialogue includes strong language, reflecting the characters' emotional states and authenticity.
Does Red at the Bone: A Novel have sexual identity?
The book discusses sexual desire and relationships, particularly through the character Iris, who navigates her own sexuality and the implications of her past relationships. The narrative addresses teenage pregnancy and the complexities of love and desire.
Does Red at the Bone: A Novel have gender roles?
The narrative critiques traditional gender roles, particularly through the character of Iris, who grapples with motherhood and personal aspirations. The book highlights the complexities of Black womanhood and the societal expectations placed on women.
Does Red at the Bone: A Novel have lgbtq+ themes?
The book explores themes of sexuality and queerness, particularly through the character Iris, who reflects on her past love affair with another woman. Additionally, the narrative acknowledges the complexities of sexual orientation and identity, indicating a nuanced approach to LGBTQ+ themes.
