Genre
Young Adult Fiction, Memoir, Poetry
Setting and Context
Ohio, South Carolina, and New York from the 1960's-1970's
Narrator and Point of View
Jacqueline Woodson, first-person point of view
Tone and Mood
Curious, thoughtful, youthful
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist - Jacqueline
Major Conflict
Jacqueline struggles to feel at home in the many places she lives.
Climax
Jacqueline comes to terms with the confusion of her many homes and many beliefs in the poem "what i believe."
Foreshadowing
The family tree at the beginning of the book foreshadows elements of the book such as the birth of Jacqueline's younger brother and the death of her grandfather.
Understatement
Allusions
Many allusions are made to Bible stories through Jacqueline's experiences living with her grandmother.
Imagery
The author uses detailed imagery to contrast the different places Jacqueline lives in her childhood. Vivid imagery is also used to explain Jacqueline's love of reading and writing.
