Product Description
From debut author Tamika Burgess comes the captivating and empowering story of Sicily Jordan—a Black Panamanian fashionista who rocks her braids with pride—who learns to use her voice and take pride in who she is while confronting prejudice in the most unexpected of places.
Sicily Jordan’s worst nightmare has come true! She’s been enrolled in a new school, with zero of her friends and stuck wearing a fashion catastrophe of a uniform. But however bad Sicily thought sixth grade was going to be, it only gets worse when she does her class presentation.
While all her classmates breezed through theirs, Sicily is bombarded with questions on how she can be both Black and Panamanian. She wants people to understand, but it doesn’t feel like anyone is ready to listen—first at school and then at home. Because when her abuela starts talking mess about her braids, Sicily’s the only one whose heart is being crumpled for a second time.
Staying quiet may no longer be an option, but that doesn’t mean Sicily has the words to show the world just what it means to be a proud Black Panamanian either. Even though she hasn’t written in her journal since her abuelo passed, it’s time to pick up her pen again—but will it be enough to prove to herself and everyone else exactly who she is?
From School Library Journal
Gr 5 Up—It's incredibly difficult for authors to faithfully write adolescent voices, to give weight to their struggles and concerns without coming across as condescending. Thankfully, Burgess completely embodies sixth-grader Sicily, making her fears and concerns spot-on for a new middle schooler. She's not an outcast or nerd. Sicily is popular, adorable, and smart. Her struggles with family and friends are not catastrophic, but feel true to life. Will she be able to make lasting friendships with her new classmates? Will she return to her writing roots after her biggest cheerleader, Abuelo, passes away? Will she mend fences with her grandmother even after Abeula's microaggressions towards Sicily boil over and burn her soul? The curiosity and growth reflect preteen angst perfectly—trials aren't astounding, but they're groundbreaking and still matter. Alongside the story of Sicily starting a new school without her elementary crew, Burgess weaves in an exploration of Sicily's cultural identity as a Black Panamanian. There's a natural progression of questioning about race and culture. Again, there's lovely lightness in how the questions are handled. There's no trauma depicted, just discomfort that sparks Sicily towards action. VERDICT Tween readers will relate to Sicily's story of finding herself while navigating changes and uncertainty.—Cat McCarrey
Review
"Impressively models the ways an ordinary girl—consistently serving fab lip gloss looks—can be an extraordinary self-advocate even when she shouldn’t have to be. Prejudice can show up anywhere; this smart, rich novel deserves to be read everywhere." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Timely and refreshing, Burgess’s vulnerably rendered debut empathetically tackles colorism and highlights the courage it takes to confront the hurtful words of strangers and loved ones alike." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Burgess shines with her satisfying exploration of culture and identity...An enlightening and hopeful reflection on an individual’s power to combat our nation’s monolithic view of race and culture—one story at a time." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"Readers will connect to the realistic situations presented in this novel, as well as the themes pertaining to change, personal identity, and grief." — Booklist
"Tween readers will relate to Sicily’s story of finding herself while navigating changes and uncertainty." — School Library Journal
"Brimming with Afro-Latina magic, Sincerely Sicily is a stunning debut!” — Tami Charles, New York Times bestselling author of All Because You Matter and Like Vanessa
“A beautiful, nuanced, and empowering discovery of A
