Wing Jones by Katherine Webber

Wing Jones

by Katherine Webber

Debut novel about a mixed-race family hit by tragedy in 90s Atlanta from a talented young writer.

For fans of David Levithan, Jandy Nelson and Rainbow Rowell: a sweeping story about love and family from an exceptional new voice in YA. With a grandmother from China and another from Ghana, fifteen-year-old Wing Jones is often caught between worlds. But when tragedy strikes, Wing discovers a talent for running she never knew she had. Wing's speed could bring her family everything it needs. It could also stop Wing getting the one thing she wants.

Reviewed by Joséphine on

5 of 5 stars

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March 1, 2017

Full book review is up on Word Revel.

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February 12, 2017

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

Initial thoughts: As a biracial person myself, I think Katherine Webber aptly captured what it means to live with multiple racial identies on a day-to-day basis. I loved how she noted the little things like double-takes from strangers when it dawns on them who the grand- and/or parent(s) are and that they're related to children who might not even look like them. Then there's the fusion of food within a household, and the warring cultures over personal conduct, the expectations and sometimes even the appearance of a biracial child. Oh, and don't get me started on how no hairdresser has the right products to deal with hair besides a pair of scissors.

Personally, I connected to this book all the more because I finally saw so many pieces of myself embedded in that book. I wish I'd had that when I was 16 and encountered parents who didn't like me simply because I wasn't the same race as them and their children; parents who preferred that their children not be so close to me because I was too dark, didn't speak their language, and didn't celebrate the same holidays. A book like this would've reinforced my self-worth. I sincerely hope that it will do exactly that for other biracial teens who get to read Wing Jones.

Note: I received a review copy from a local distributor in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 12 February, 2017: Finished reading
  • 12 February, 2017: Reviewed