Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson

Genre: Historical Fiction
Themes: Disabilities, War, Race, Death, Adoption
Grade Level: 6-8
Curricular Connections: Religion, History (race relations, Vietnam, the 1970s)

In 1971 Frannie's town is divided by the highway - black and white. Frannie lives on the black side of town and attends the Price School with all the other kids from her side of the highway. On January 6 a new boy arrives, white as the falling snow, with long brown hair and gray eyes. They call him Jesus Boy.

As the story unfolds the reader learns about Frannie's family. Her older brother is deaf. Frannie's baby sister Lila died, her mother lost another pregnancy after that, and is now pregnant again. Her best friend Samantha's father is a preacher, adding another layer to the Jesus Boy storyline. Other classmates include a bully, a willing victim, and a snob.

The thread of faith runs throughout the story, leaving readers to wonder what makes a person faith-full. Going to church like Frannie's grandma? Having a preacher father? What drives a person to God? Sadness and need? Obligation? Tradition? Or the desire to do what's right, even when it's not popular?

Classroom Suggestions:

1. In religion class a discussion of what makes a person more or less of a Christian could be based on characters from the book. Small groups could read the novel, each studying a different character focusing on faith. Character strengths and weaknesses could be identified and then compared to scripture.