A Song for Two Homes by Charly Palmer, Michael Datcher
ISBN: 0593429362
Genres: Cultural / African American, Emotions & Feelings, Family
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

A Song for Two Homes by Dr. Michael Datcher is a picture book featuring Auset, a Black child devastated by her parents’ divorce. As the adults in her life remind her that this is not her fault, Auset struggles to believe them and instead turns to her heroes like Bob Marley for reassurance. Auset’s problems are real and relatable, like a therapist who “wasn’t good at sewing kids back together,” getting perfect grades to hide her distress from her parents, being bullied, and the consequences of fighting back with words and fists. The book does not shy away from the pain and outcomes of a broken heart.

While this reviewer appreciates the raw honesty expressed, especially with lines such as, “Pretending to be okay is tiring, but it’s easier than showing Mom my real self,” this would likely be a painful story for a parent to read with a child. It’s difficult to say where this book might find an audience, but a school or public library wanting to expand its resources on divorce could benefit from adding it.

Reviewed by Beth Almquist, Lewiston Public Library