As gentle as a feather brushing across your cheek, Jacqueline Woodson's newest novel for young people, entitled Feathers, is all about seeing. The main character, Frannie, is 11 years old and in sixth grade in 1971 at an all African American school. When a new white student nicknamed "Jesus Boy" enters the class, she sees all the things she took for granted in a new way: her brother's deafness, the class bully's anger, her mother's fears and her best friend's faith. This is an exquisite, poignant book that will spark thoughtful discussions. Recommended for Middle School readers.

Hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all
--Emily Dickinson