Tamani, Liara. Calling My Name. Greenwillow Books. October 24, 2017. ISBN 9780062656864
Plot:
Taja, main character set in Houston, Texas. She shares her inner thoughts throughout the span of her middle school and high school years. She is first 11 and on until high school - and is questioning everything around her, including religion, sex and romance. She is raised in a religious household and under the thumb of her parental supervision and their decisions. As she gets older not only does her questioning continues she also begins to come into her own beliefs around church, sexual awakening, double standards, familial expectations, and whether she outgrows her boyfriend and what he expects of them.
Critical Evaluation
Taja is a a protagonist with wonderful qualities that has the reader rooting for her. The introspection, and critical sense towards the religious upbringing and her quest in finding her voice and place in a family that is telling her how to think and behave. The prose of the book is for those interested in poetry and a lyrical sense of writing, for individuals that may not have an affinity for this style, this book may not suit their taste.
Reader's Annotation
Follows journey of highly introspective African American girl from middle school to high school.
Author
Liara Tamani lives in Houston, Texas. She holds an MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is the author of the acclaimed young adult novels Calling My Name, a 2018 PEN America Literary Award Finalist and SCBWI Golden Kite Finalist, and All the Things We Never Knew, a 2020 Kirkus Best YA Book of the Year. Before becoming a writer, she attended Harvard Law School and worked as a marketing coordinator for the Houston Rockets & Comets, production assistant for Girlfriends (TV show), home accessories designer, floral designer, and yoga and dance teacher. (Liara Tamani, nd)
Genre:
Contemporary
Booktalking Ideas
Taja appeasing her father, and his sadness and dreams unmet.
Taja's relationship to her mother's anger, and the whipping she receives from her.
Reading Level/Interest Age
Gr. 9+
Challenge Issues
As a librarian I do not see any issues, but from a very religious parent maybe. Considering Taja, questions her family's religious beliefs. I would use this review from Publisher's Weekly and have my Library Bill of Rights, handy.
Why I Chose This Book
Endearing protagonist and important themes of peer pressure, family expectations, religion and agency as a young woman in a relationship with a partner who has own ideas about future.
'I Want Teens To Recognize Their Own Power': Questions for Liara Tamani
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