I really love how Black these stories are and how they fill a void that I didn't really have when I was younger I loved the Ramona books and Junie B. Do some of them have queer parents? I sound like a stereotypical liberal, but it's something I couldn't stop thinking about. Nothing bad happens or anything! There's a part where a woman from the church says that their mothers and fathers taught them how to clean up after themselves, and I was thinking. I think because it reminded me of my own experiences growing up in the church and reasons why I don't like it anymore. And I usually am really irritated by atheists who get upset by mentions of faith, so I'm not sure why it bothered me here.

That being said, I think I liked this book less because of all the Christianity. I also definitely got the big sister vibes in regards to being expected to be an example and having to miss out on things! The camp parts made me think of the hand games and songs my sister and I would sing with the other girls we were at camp with. I liked the first book more, but this still brought back sweet memories of being little. Renée graduated from The New School, where she studied Creative Writing and earned a certificate in Drama Therapy. She has facilitated poetry and theatre workshops with young girls coping with sexual and physical abuse, children who have witnessed violence, children coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and children who relocated to New York City after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

One of Renée’s passions is using the arts to help youth cope with trauma. She also facilitates professional development workshops for teachers and artists. Renée has worked in public schools and community organizations as an artist in residence for several years, teaching poetry, fiction, and theater in Oregon, Louisiana, and New York City. When Renée is not writing and performing, she is teaching. Her poetry and articles have been published in Rethinking Schools, Theatre of the Mind and With Hearts Ablaze. Renée’s one woman show, Roses are Red, Women are Blue, debuted at New York City's Lincoln Center at a showcase for emerging artists. Her middle grade novel, What Momma Left Me debuted as the New Voice for 2010 in middle grade fiction by The Independent Children's Booksellers Association. Renée Watson is the author of the children’s picture book, A Place Where Hurricanes Happen (Random House, June 2010), which was featured on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams.

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