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What the Fireflies Knew
In the vein of Jesmyn Ward's Salvage the Bones and Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees, a coming-of-age novel told from the perspective of eleven-year-old KB, as she and her sister try, over the course of a summer, to make sense of their new life with their estranged grandfather after the death of their father and disappearance of their mother
After her father dies of an overdose and the debts incurred from his addiction cause the loss of the family home in Detroit, almost-eleven-year-old Kenyatta Bernice (KB) and her teenage sister, Nia, are sent by their overwhelmed mother to live with their estranged grandfather in Lansing.
Over the course of a single, sweltering summer, KB attempts to get her bearings in a world that has turned upside down--a father who is labeled a fiend; a mother whose smile no longer reaches her eyes; a sister, once her best friend, who has crossed the threshold of adolescence and suddenly wants nothing to do with her; a grandfather who is grumpy and silent; the white kids across the street who are friendly, but only sometimes. And all of them are keeping secrets.
Pinballing between resentment, abandonment, and loneliness, KB is forced to carve out a different identity for herself and find her own voice. As she examines the jagged pieces of her recently shattered world, she learns that while some truths cut deep, a new life--and a new KB--can be built from the shards.
Capturing all the vulnerability, perceptiveness, and inquisitiveness of a young Black girl on the cusp of puberty, Harris's prose perfectly inhabits that hazy space between childhood and adolescence, where everything that was once familiar develops a veneer of strangeness when seen through newer, older eyes. Through KB's disillusionment and subsequent discovery of her own power, What the Fireflies Knew poignantly reveals that heartbreaking but necessary component of growing up--the realization that loved ones can be flawed, sometimes significantly so, and that the perfect family we all dream of looks different up close.
After her father dies of an overdose and the debts incurred from his addiction cause the loss of the family home in Detroit, almost-eleven-year-old Kenyatta Bernice (KB) and her teenage sister, Nia, are sent by their overwhelmed mother to live with their estranged grandfather in Lansing.
Over the course of a single, sweltering summer, KB attempts to get her bearings in a world that has turned upside down--a father who is labeled a fiend; a mother whose smile no longer reaches her eyes; a sister, once her best friend, who has crossed the threshold of adolescence and suddenly wants nothing to do with her; a grandfather who is grumpy and silent; the white kids across the street who are friendly, but only sometimes. And all of them are keeping secrets.
Pinballing between resentment, abandonment, and loneliness, KB is forced to carve out a different identity for herself and find her own voice. As she examines the jagged pieces of her recently shattered world, she learns that while some truths cut deep, a new life--and a new KB--can be built from the shards.
Capturing all the vulnerability, perceptiveness, and inquisitiveness of a young Black girl on the cusp of puberty, Harris's prose perfectly inhabits that hazy space between childhood and adolescence, where everything that was once familiar develops a veneer of strangeness when seen through newer, older eyes. Through KB's disillusionment and subsequent discovery of her own power, What the Fireflies Knew poignantly reveals that heartbreaking but necessary component of growing up--the realization that loved ones can be flawed, sometimes significantly so, and that the perfect family we all dream of looks different up close.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2022
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March 5, 2022
Child narrators get to me pretty much every time . I fell for ten year old Kenyatta Bernice , called KB, with her innocence and desire to understand what is happening around her. Kai Harris doesn’t shy away from heavy themes. There’s death, drug addiction, depression, racism, abuse .
Adjusting to a different place with a grandfather she doesn’t really know, while her mom is unable to care for her and her sister Nia, KB learns to recognize and accept truths and secrets that sometimes hurt. I was touched by this coming of age novel, and even more so when I read the author’s note about how when she was a little black girl, she wondered what a “perfect” family should look like.” As it turns out , it’s one filled with love. A notable debut.
I received a copy of this book from Tiny Reparations Books (Penguin Random House) through Edelweiss.
May 22, 2022
What a beautiful cover, right? It’s even more stunning and detailed in person. What the Fireflies Knew is a debut novel by Kai Harris, and from the first paragraph, I knew I was going to fall right into this story.
KB, Kenyatta Bernice, is just eleven years old when her father passes away, and her mom drives she and her sister, Nia, to live with their grandfather for the summer. During that time their mother is distant, taking care of some business, as she put it, and the girls feel like she’s disappeared, which is a double loss after also losing their dad. They don’t know their grandfather well because he and their mom have been estranged for a number of years.
The mom says something when she drops the girls off about them treasuring this time, and I knew they were safe and in great hands with their grandfather. They each work through a number of emotions that summer, but they also come-of-age. I don’t even have the words to express how much I loved this gentle, kind, soft spoken grandfather.
This book addresses several important and timely topics, especially highlighting racism, mental health, and family dynamics. It has a young adult feel due to the narration of KB and is full of heart and sweetness to balance the sadness and authenticity.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
KB, Kenyatta Bernice, is just eleven years old when her father passes away, and her mom drives she and her sister, Nia, to live with their grandfather for the summer. During that time their mother is distant, taking care of some business, as she put it, and the girls feel like she’s disappeared, which is a double loss after also losing their dad. They don’t know their grandfather well because he and their mom have been estranged for a number of years.
The mom says something when she drops the girls off about them treasuring this time, and I knew they were safe and in great hands with their grandfather. They each work through a number of emotions that summer, but they also come-of-age. I don’t even have the words to express how much I loved this gentle, kind, soft spoken grandfather.
This book addresses several important and timely topics, especially highlighting racism, mental health, and family dynamics. It has a young adult feel due to the narration of KB and is full of heart and sweetness to balance the sadness and authenticity.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
March 3, 2022
Kenyatta Bernice, better known to her friends and family as KB, is a little Black girl living in Detroit with her family in the 1990s. She is about to turn 11 when her father dies from a drug overdose and her withering mother takes KB and her teenage sister Nia to stay with their estranged grandfather in Lansing, Michigan over the summer while she sorts out the aftermath of their father's death and the consequent loss of their home. KB just wants to be with her family, waking up each day to her Mama's ice cream cone smile, her father's delicious cooking, and playtime with her beautiful, cool older sister. She doesn't know where Mama has gone or when she is coming back for her and Nia. Instead she is relegated to the foreignness of staying with her Granddad, climbing in her tree, and trying to befriend the white kids across the street, much to the chagrin of their mother, who already has her own distasteful ideas of "what kind of person someone like" KB is.
Over the course of one summer that changes everything for and about KB, we follow her as she experiences deep loneliness, angst, revelations, loss, but above all: hope, love, and the strength of family. This is a coming-of-age story that beautifully captures Black girlhood, and pairs the pain of the loss of innocence that KB endures with the love she feels for the family she already knew and the family she gains over her Lansing summer. Not only does this book so succinctly capture that significant pre-teen moment between the innocence of early childhood and the turbulent emotions of adolescence, but Kai Harris magnificently layers in poignant themes of family, race, mental health, drug use, and class for a knock-out debut that you should be sure not to miss!
I cried like a baby during parts of this book! Honestly, I haven't cried that much while reading in a long time. Kai Harris does such an excellent job of writing in the voice of a girl teetering on the fence between childhood and teenage years, and it is both entirely absorbing and absolutely heartbreaking throughout the novel. KB's magical world of childhood is crumbling around her. The realities of what her life will be like as a result of her background, her skin color, her family makeup shatter the innocence she starts out with in the beginning of the novel. And yet, although this book has so much sadness, it also has so much levity in the moments where KB is still able to be a child. There is a lot of hope in the way the three women/women-to-be lose each other in their grieving processes and find each other once again in the end. The family relationships explored in What the Fireflies Knew were at once agonizing, tender and affirming. I was rooting for this pair of sisters even when Nia was a snob or when KB was a brat. The way they found each other again, though sprung from horrible things that happened to each of them, was beautiful and left me believing in the whole family's opportunity for redemption by the end of the book. The sisterhood relationship in this novel stood out to me above any of the other relationships. I don't have a sister, but I imagine this is exactly what it feels like.
Every character in this book serves as an example of redemption—and what happens when it isn't afforded to you. I appreciate the humanity that Harris gave to the missing father figure in this story. As a child who lost a parent to addiction, I think it's so vitally important, especially now in the midst of the opioid epidemic, to characterize those struggling with addiction as still worth loving and still capable of loving others, so I really appreciated that in this book. I was the same age as KB when my mother died of an overdose, so I connected deeply to her character and the grieving process she is going through. No character in this story was a caricature (save Bobby and Charlotte's mother, but she's an all-too-believable caricature of a casual racist in the 1990s) and despite the deep flaws of every member of KB's family, they are all worthy of love and the redemption that they do eventually get by the end. I had an extra soft spot for KB and Nia's Granddad and really appreciated KB's relationship with him in particular.
I just loved this book. It's hard to sit here and list critiques though I can think of a few. The fact is, they fall to the wayside because of the important and beautiful story that emerges from KB's internal struggles. Zenzi Williams lent her voice to the audio and it was brilliantly narrated. You feel so much for this little girl when you hear her story. This is one I will be adding to my personal collection and coming back to more than once for its lovely portrayal of a young girl coming to grips with both the harshness and the light in this world.
Over the course of one summer that changes everything for and about KB, we follow her as she experiences deep loneliness, angst, revelations, loss, but above all: hope, love, and the strength of family. This is a coming-of-age story that beautifully captures Black girlhood, and pairs the pain of the loss of innocence that KB endures with the love she feels for the family she already knew and the family she gains over her Lansing summer. Not only does this book so succinctly capture that significant pre-teen moment between the innocence of early childhood and the turbulent emotions of adolescence, but Kai Harris magnificently layers in poignant themes of family, race, mental health, drug use, and class for a knock-out debut that you should be sure not to miss!
I cried like a baby during parts of this book! Honestly, I haven't cried that much while reading in a long time. Kai Harris does such an excellent job of writing in the voice of a girl teetering on the fence between childhood and teenage years, and it is both entirely absorbing and absolutely heartbreaking throughout the novel. KB's magical world of childhood is crumbling around her. The realities of what her life will be like as a result of her background, her skin color, her family makeup shatter the innocence she starts out with in the beginning of the novel. And yet, although this book has so much sadness, it also has so much levity in the moments where KB is still able to be a child. There is a lot of hope in the way the three women/women-to-be lose each other in their grieving processes and find each other once again in the end. The family relationships explored in What the Fireflies Knew were at once agonizing, tender and affirming. I was rooting for this pair of sisters even when Nia was a snob or when KB was a brat. The way they found each other again, though sprung from horrible things that happened to each of them, was beautiful and left me believing in the whole family's opportunity for redemption by the end of the book. The sisterhood relationship in this novel stood out to me above any of the other relationships. I don't have a sister, but I imagine this is exactly what it feels like.
Every character in this book serves as an example of redemption—and what happens when it isn't afforded to you. I appreciate the humanity that Harris gave to the missing father figure in this story. As a child who lost a parent to addiction, I think it's so vitally important, especially now in the midst of the opioid epidemic, to characterize those struggling with addiction as still worth loving and still capable of loving others, so I really appreciated that in this book. I was the same age as KB when my mother died of an overdose, so I connected deeply to her character and the grieving process she is going through. No character in this story was a caricature (save Bobby and Charlotte's mother, but she's an all-too-believable caricature of a casual racist in the 1990s) and despite the deep flaws of every member of KB's family, they are all worthy of love and the redemption that they do eventually get by the end. I had an extra soft spot for KB and Nia's Granddad and really appreciated KB's relationship with him in particular.
I just loved this book. It's hard to sit here and list critiques though I can think of a few. The fact is, they fall to the wayside because of the important and beautiful story that emerges from KB's internal struggles. Zenzi Williams lent her voice to the audio and it was brilliantly narrated. You feel so much for this little girl when you hear her story. This is one I will be adding to my personal collection and coming back to more than once for its lovely portrayal of a young girl coming to grips with both the harshness and the light in this world.
February 3, 2022
A coming-of-age book with some very hard themes, but beautifully done.
August 20, 2021
How do I give a book 12 stars?!
Hang on to your seat as this feels like an instant classic.
Instantly gripping and powerfully effective, with a lasting effect that I haven't felt for a long time.
It should be added to high school core curriculum reading or shared between teen girls and their mothers/grandparents. Spoken through KB's unforgettable voice as she's wrenched from her magical childlike perceptions, into life's unforgiving realities. It makes you feel! From her innocence and wonder to harrowing heartbreak when it's shattered.
Yes, there are some hard parts to read- you never want to see the magic of adolescence crushed so brutally, but the way the story unfolds is tear-jerkingly redemptive.
At its core, it’s an evergreen family story; in different layers, you feel its socioeconomic, and racial apartheid~ yet beautifully matched with graceful connection expressed through boundless love.
It’s one of those books that feel is far more impactful than its page count~ just wow!
Galley borrowed from the publisher.
Hang on to your seat as this feels like an instant classic.
Instantly gripping and powerfully effective, with a lasting effect that I haven't felt for a long time.
It should be added to high school core curriculum reading or shared between teen girls and their mothers/grandparents. Spoken through KB's unforgettable voice as she's wrenched from her magical childlike perceptions, into life's unforgiving realities. It makes you feel! From her innocence and wonder to harrowing heartbreak when it's shattered.
Yes, there are some hard parts to read- you never want to see the magic of adolescence crushed so brutally, but the way the story unfolds is tear-jerkingly redemptive.
At its core, it’s an evergreen family story; in different layers, you feel its socioeconomic, and racial apartheid~ yet beautifully matched with graceful connection expressed through boundless love.
It’s one of those books that feel is far more impactful than its page count~ just wow!
Galley borrowed from the publisher.
June 29, 2022
I feel like like this should have been marketed towards a much younger audience.
December 16, 2022
What the Fireflies Knew by Kai Harris is a wonderful coming of age novel about two young girls who lose everything when their father dies. Their mother goes away for a while leaving them with their grandfather. An angry 14 yo and confused 10 year old. Growing up quickly. Learning about life and racism in ways no children should.
February 16, 2023
2.5 STARS
Boring!! I can get behind books narrated by children (see books: Dear Edward and A Million Things) but this one just did not work. The author rushed through parts of the story and I finished with a disinterested, “That’s it?” I did really enjoy watching KB make friends with the white kids across the street; skin color doesn’t matter to kids unless someone teaches them otherwise. Aside from that, not much else happened in this book.
Boring!! I can get behind books narrated by children (see books: Dear Edward and A Million Things) but this one just did not work. The author rushed through parts of the story and I finished with a disinterested, “That’s it?” I did really enjoy watching KB make friends with the white kids across the street; skin color doesn’t matter to kids unless someone teaches them otherwise. Aside from that, not much else happened in this book.
April 7, 2022
What finally brings me and Granddaddy together are the fireflies.
After the death of her father, Kenyatta Bernice, and her older sister, Nia, are sent to live with their grandfather, a man who's a virtual stranger to them. "KB" seems to have little in common any more with her growing-up-too-fast sis, and she's been forbidden to play with the white children across the street, so the ten-year-old is pretty lonely. Luckily, she has a book for a companion - one of the best books - Anne of Green Gables.
I think about Anne from my book, realize that Granddaddy act kinda like Marilla Cuthbert, who ain't talk to Anne much at first. Problem is, ain't no Matthew Cuthbert here who's gon' talk to me when Marilla won't. Ain't nobody but Granddaddy.
This is a fairly simple, straightforward tale about growing up under trying circumstances, and a fine first novel by a promising young author.
"Our children don't have to make the same mistakes we did." Granddaddy speaks, calm. "Let 'em decide who to be for themselves." Then we cross the street together, Granddaddy holding my hand and me wondering who I would be, if I could decide for myself.
After the death of her father, Kenyatta Bernice, and her older sister, Nia, are sent to live with their grandfather, a man who's a virtual stranger to them. "KB" seems to have little in common any more with her growing-up-too-fast sis, and she's been forbidden to play with the white children across the street, so the ten-year-old is pretty lonely. Luckily, she has a book for a companion - one of the best books - Anne of Green Gables.
I think about Anne from my book, realize that Granddaddy act kinda like Marilla Cuthbert, who ain't talk to Anne much at first. Problem is, ain't no Matthew Cuthbert here who's gon' talk to me when Marilla won't. Ain't nobody but Granddaddy.
This is a fairly simple, straightforward tale about growing up under trying circumstances, and a fine first novel by a promising young author.
"Our children don't have to make the same mistakes we did." Granddaddy speaks, calm. "Let 'em decide who to be for themselves." Then we cross the street together, Granddaddy holding my hand and me wondering who I would be, if I could decide for myself.
February 10, 2022
Book 10: #ReadingBlackout for Feb.
⭐ Rating: 5 stars
📖 Format: Hardcover
💭 Thoughts: Reading "What the Fireflies Knew" was like receiving a big, warm hug!!! This was one of my most anticipated books of February. I had it pre-ordered the second I read the synopsis. And it was everything I hoped it would be and more!! I loved following KB along on her journey. I would've been around her same age in the mid 90s, which made it even more special. 😊 The writing was superb!! I highly recommend this one, friends!! Favorite of the month so far. 🧡
⭐ Rating: 5 stars
📖 Format: Hardcover
💭 Thoughts: Reading "What the Fireflies Knew" was like receiving a big, warm hug!!! This was one of my most anticipated books of February. I had it pre-ordered the second I read the synopsis. And it was everything I hoped it would be and more!! I loved following KB along on her journey. I would've been around her same age in the mid 90s, which made it even more special. 😊 The writing was superb!! I highly recommend this one, friends!! Favorite of the month so far. 🧡
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March 7, 2022What the Fireflies Knew is a beautiful coming-of-age story about a 10 year old girl coming to terms with the tumultuous changes in her life. I can’t thank Dutton Books enough for gifting me a copy of this story.
Child narrators always get me - their innocence and fearlessness to say what they think is both heartbreaking and up lifting. After the death of their father, KB and her older sister Nia have been dropped on the doorstep of a Grandfather they don’t know by their mother while she “figures things out.” Over the course of the summer they discover secrets about their family and themselves.
Children are so innocent and to see life through their eyes and hear how they process things in their heads can bring tears to your eyes. I adored KB and wished I could hug her and love her and tell her everything would be okay. Her strength and perseverance, despite what she has been through, was awe-inspiring. Despite being a fairly easy and quick read, it deals with a lot of tough topics: racism, sexual and physical violence, family dynamics and mental health… all of this through the eyes of a child. I think this book is an absolutely triumph and I will carry KB and Nia with me in my heart forever.
Child narrators always get me - their innocence and fearlessness to say what they think is both heartbreaking and up lifting. After the death of their father, KB and her older sister Nia have been dropped on the doorstep of a Grandfather they don’t know by their mother while she “figures things out.” Over the course of the summer they discover secrets about their family and themselves.
Children are so innocent and to see life through their eyes and hear how they process things in their heads can bring tears to your eyes. I adored KB and wished I could hug her and love her and tell her everything would be okay. Her strength and perseverance, despite what she has been through, was awe-inspiring. Despite being a fairly easy and quick read, it deals with a lot of tough topics: racism, sexual and physical violence, family dynamics and mental health… all of this through the eyes of a child. I think this book is an absolutely triumph and I will carry KB and Nia with me in my heart forever.
February 7, 2022
This book was great in theory however I feel as if it were missing character development. It followed such a short time that I honestly became very bored.
March 30, 2022
This book was a good coming of age story, but had some heavy themes that took me a little bit longer to read and process. It has heavy themes of death, drug abuse, depression, racism and sexual assault. This is a story that follows what happens when two girls father dies of a drug overdose. They have to leave their home and move in with a grandfather only to have their mom leave them for a few months to deal with depression. I hurt for the girls because they were just left with zero communication. They both dealt with this in different ways and had to come to some hard blows.
This story is set in the early 90’s and is literally the summer that changes everything for these girls. This story pricked my heart and made me feel deep things about my own past as I was once an 12 year old girl in 1990. This is a must read!!
This story is set in the early 90’s and is literally the summer that changes everything for these girls. This story pricked my heart and made me feel deep things about my own past as I was once an 12 year old girl in 1990. This is a must read!!
February 20, 2022
A tender coming of age story featuring a young Black girl, Kenyatta Bernice (KB) and her older sister who are sent to stay with their estranged grandfather after their father dies from a drug overdose and their mother leaves to seek treatment for her depression.
Told from KB's perspective, this is a beautiful and heartbreaking story of a broken family trying to survive life's challenges. KB finds solace in books and I love how much she connects with Anne of Green Gables and the many references to that series she makes. Perfect for fans of Jesmyn Ward, Jacqueline Woodson or Catherine Adel West. Good on audio narrated by Zenzi Williams.
⚠️CW: sexual abuse/assault, drug addiction, depression
Told from KB's perspective, this is a beautiful and heartbreaking story of a broken family trying to survive life's challenges. KB finds solace in books and I love how much she connects with Anne of Green Gables and the many references to that series she makes. Perfect for fans of Jesmyn Ward, Jacqueline Woodson or Catherine Adel West. Good on audio narrated by Zenzi Williams.
⚠️CW: sexual abuse/assault, drug addiction, depression
February 19, 2022
Why a three star rating for a book with an engaging voice (as I stated in an update)? Well…because the book didn’t really go anywhere. There were lots of beautiful passages and colorful descriptions; voice galore!; poignant observations…just not a lot of “story”. The “story” was the girl’s observations. A true character study. The plot meandered…
I think my let down came from the comparison to The Secret Life of Bees (one of my all time favorite books!) Aside from a young MC and similar difficult themes, these two novels are nothing alike.
Still, it was a fine book. Though I admit to being bored from the meandering and almost DNFd it.
Voice alone isn’t enough for this reader.
I’m disappointed.
I think my let down came from the comparison to The Secret Life of Bees (one of my all time favorite books!) Aside from a young MC and similar difficult themes, these two novels are nothing alike.
Still, it was a fine book. Though I admit to being bored from the meandering and almost DNFd it.
Voice alone isn’t enough for this reader.
I’m disappointed.
November 5, 2021
What a stunning debut! Harris's deceptively simple temporal structure (three parts, each representing one month of the summer of 1995), in reality opens up into a richly-layered family study, one that explores multiple generations through the eyes of KB. WHAT THE FIREFLIES KNEW is unflinching in its depiction of trauma—yet it never sensationalizes. Its depiction of hope is nuanced and bittersweet, never cloying. And KB's voice is distinct, strong... and will stay with you long after you finish reading. A must read novel of 2022!
February 12, 2022
I thought the ending was a little too unbelievable. The "June" and "July" sections were well-done. The "August" section seemed to be trying to hard to reach a happy ending for everyone.
May 17, 2022
I'm going to make sure that my new little cousin Kenyatta, aka Kenya, aka Tata, aka KB is called something other than KB because she told us at the front of the novel that she prefers to be called Kenya or Tata, and everyone is still calling her KB.
I really enjoyed hanging out with her. She was such a cool narrator and Kai Harris brought her and her life to the page in a very convincing manner. If she was my little cousin I'd be telling all y'all about how she is about to take over the world, and if I was a gambler I may have to introduce to a thing called "card counting" since she loves to count everything.
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVaLL...
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2OT3...
I really enjoyed hanging out with her. She was such a cool narrator and Kai Harris brought her and her life to the page in a very convincing manner. If she was my little cousin I'd be telling all y'all about how she is about to take over the world, and if I was a gambler I may have to introduce to a thing called "card counting" since she loves to count everything.
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVaLL...
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2OT3...
December 27, 2023
I chose this book because I liked the title! It intrigued me to read it and I went into it blind. I honestly enjoyed reading it and listening to the audiobook along with the physical book. The narrator is great!
This story takes place in 1995 over a long, hot Summer, first in Detroit, Michigan and then in Lansing, Michigan. The one telling this beautiful and heartfelt story is KB, a 10 year old little girl with a big heart. She talks about her family that consists of her Momma, Daddy, Nia, her 14 year old sister and eventually her Granddaddy. Her Daddy is a drug addict who dies of an overdose and KB finds him. Their Momma is overwhelmed and they lose their house and move to Lansing to drop off her children with her Daddy ( their Granddaddy who Nia and KB don't even know!) She promised to come back to get them, well wait to read what happened there. 😢
It's beautifully written and KB has a lot of growing up to do in the course of one Summer. Nia has always been KB's best friend and yet not so much as the Summer goes on. KB doesn't understand why Nia has changed so much. KB makes a couple friends but eventually they have secrets and don't tell her why their Mom all of a sudden says that they have to stay away from her.
I really love KB! She is sweet, innocent and reads lots of books! I've connected to her on the level of climbing trees, collecting fireflies, caterpillars and her growth throughout this story. Some of the books mentioned are books that I've read such as Anne Of Green Gables, Their Eyes Were Watching God and Pippi Long stocking!! 😁📚. I laughed at the question that she asked about Anne Of Green Gables, " I don't even know what a gable is and why does it have to be green?" Her Granddaddy is my favorite character! He's a sweet soul that teaches KB some hard truths for a 10 year old girl to understand. He teaches her about racism, about losing someone special, about boys and to watch out for them because they are always 2 steps ahead of thinking about girls and how to recover from loss. Her Momma is away somewhere and only her Granddaddy knows where. KB misses her and wants to save enough money by collecting bottles to make money for her to find Momma.
KB's Granddaddy tells her that " When we lose someone we love, it's easy just to pretend they was never there. To try to make it easier, but it don't work because they were there. And now you got a big ol' hole where that person used to be." " You gotta fill that hole with the memories, else you might lose 'em for good." I believe that is great advice!
Now, you're probably wonderful why did I read this depressing story. Well, because it's not depressing at all! It's best described with the Author words: " A dazzling and moving novel and family, identity, and race, What The Fireflies Knew poignantly reveals that heartbreaking but necessary component of growing up - the realization that loved ones can be flawed and that the perfect family we all dream of looks different up close." This is a very powerful book.
This book does contain a trigger warning: " Please be mindful as you read this story that contains things, comments and content that may be triggering. Take care of yourselves, especially in those moments when you find yourself transported - into KB's shoes or back into your own from years ago. This story is meant to uplift you." I personally found nothing triggering, but someone else might, that's why I included this. Just to be clear, rape isn't mentioned in the story because it's not there. There's also no swearing. It does, however deal with suicide and depression.
I highly recommend this emotionally moving book and I hope that you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
Enjoy and Happy Reading 💫✨
This story takes place in 1995 over a long, hot Summer, first in Detroit, Michigan and then in Lansing, Michigan. The one telling this beautiful and heartfelt story is KB, a 10 year old little girl with a big heart. She talks about her family that consists of her Momma, Daddy, Nia, her 14 year old sister and eventually her Granddaddy. Her Daddy is a drug addict who dies of an overdose and KB finds him. Their Momma is overwhelmed and they lose their house and move to Lansing to drop off her children with her Daddy ( their Granddaddy who Nia and KB don't even know!) She promised to come back to get them, well wait to read what happened there. 😢
It's beautifully written and KB has a lot of growing up to do in the course of one Summer. Nia has always been KB's best friend and yet not so much as the Summer goes on. KB doesn't understand why Nia has changed so much. KB makes a couple friends but eventually they have secrets and don't tell her why their Mom all of a sudden says that they have to stay away from her.
I really love KB! She is sweet, innocent and reads lots of books! I've connected to her on the level of climbing trees, collecting fireflies, caterpillars and her growth throughout this story. Some of the books mentioned are books that I've read such as Anne Of Green Gables, Their Eyes Were Watching God and Pippi Long stocking!! 😁📚. I laughed at the question that she asked about Anne Of Green Gables, " I don't even know what a gable is and why does it have to be green?" Her Granddaddy is my favorite character! He's a sweet soul that teaches KB some hard truths for a 10 year old girl to understand. He teaches her about racism, about losing someone special, about boys and to watch out for them because they are always 2 steps ahead of thinking about girls and how to recover from loss. Her Momma is away somewhere and only her Granddaddy knows where. KB misses her and wants to save enough money by collecting bottles to make money for her to find Momma.
KB's Granddaddy tells her that " When we lose someone we love, it's easy just to pretend they was never there. To try to make it easier, but it don't work because they were there. And now you got a big ol' hole where that person used to be." " You gotta fill that hole with the memories, else you might lose 'em for good." I believe that is great advice!
Now, you're probably wonderful why did I read this depressing story. Well, because it's not depressing at all! It's best described with the Author words: " A dazzling and moving novel and family, identity, and race, What The Fireflies Knew poignantly reveals that heartbreaking but necessary component of growing up - the realization that loved ones can be flawed and that the perfect family we all dream of looks different up close." This is a very powerful book.
This book does contain a trigger warning: " Please be mindful as you read this story that contains things, comments and content that may be triggering. Take care of yourselves, especially in those moments when you find yourself transported - into KB's shoes or back into your own from years ago. This story is meant to uplift you." I personally found nothing triggering, but someone else might, that's why I included this. Just to be clear, rape isn't mentioned in the story because it's not there. There's also no swearing. It does, however deal with suicide and depression.
I highly recommend this emotionally moving book and I hope that you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
Enjoy and Happy Reading 💫✨
May 11, 2022
Ten year old Kenyatta "KB", her sister Nia and their Momma are dealing with the aftermath of the debts and loss of their home following the death of her father to a drug overdose. Her overwhelmed Momma decides to drop her and Nia at their estranged grandfather's home in Lansing, Michigan for the summer. KB turns to the outdoors and the books she loves for solace, particularly "Anne of Green Gables". Her grandfather is quiet and grumpy, her sister is more interested in boys than spending time with her, and KB is lonely and missing her Momma. Over the course of the summer Kenyatta discovers the inner strength to find her voice and realize the true meaning of family.
A touching and heartfelt coming-of-age story centered around a loveable young girl.
A touching and heartfelt coming-of-age story centered around a loveable young girl.
May 21, 2022
3.5 rounded up.
February 8, 2022
Rounding up to 4 ⭐️.
A sweet story of an young girl spending the summer with her grandfather. I don’t think this one is in the genre, it’s more of a YA. The tone of the book is very juvenile, but content is YA. I loved KB’s voice throughout the story and her outlook.
A sweet story of an young girl spending the summer with her grandfather. I don’t think this one is in the genre, it’s more of a YA. The tone of the book is very juvenile, but content is YA. I loved KB’s voice throughout the story and her outlook.
May 31, 2022
Kenyatta Bernice (KB)'s coming-of-age story was full of beautiful writing and an authentic voice. Her observations were engaging and poignant. She is 10 going on 11 and all the innocence and uncertainty of that stage of life shines through in the prose.
All that said- something held me back from connecting with the characters or the story at a deep level. I don't think it's categorized as MG/YA- but that framework may have helped me engage differently.
“𝘐𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘸𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵. 𝘐𝘧 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘸𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘦’𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘰𝘯.”
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐒𝐈𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐑- Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel West (loved it!)
All that said- something held me back from connecting with the characters or the story at a deep level. I don't think it's categorized as MG/YA- but that framework may have helped me engage differently.
“𝘐𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘸𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵. 𝘐𝘧 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘸𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘦’𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘰𝘯.”
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐒𝐈𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐑- Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel West (loved it!)
March 16, 2022
After KB and her older sister Nia’s father dies the girls are sent to live with their previously unknown and seemingly stoic Grandfather while their mother disappears for a time.
This is a book that grapples with some tough subjects like drug abuse, emotional problems, family relationships,and race,all of which are key in this quiet story told by an 11 year old who loves the book “ Anne of Green Gables” and is desperately trying to navigate her world.
3.5 stars read for KUYH Bookclub.
This is a book that grapples with some tough subjects like drug abuse, emotional problems, family relationships,and race,all of which are key in this quiet story told by an 11 year old who loves the book “ Anne of Green Gables” and is desperately trying to navigate her world.
3.5 stars read for KUYH Bookclub.
February 14, 2022
"In life, we're going to get hurt. If we stay focused on that hurt, and nothing else, then we won't be able to heal. But if we focus on the healing, then we'll start to notice that hurt disappear. It's all a matter of what you choose to focus on."
September 21, 2022
There is a lot to love about KB, the child narrator of her own story. . .and when you are narrating your own story, it must be said you are missing some very important bits of information. If that goes on long enough, you must seek your comforts from other resources. . KB sought out nature, and eventually fell upon wisdom from the fireflies.
Remember that day when you first realized your parents, either one or the other, or perhaps both - were just ordinary? Or maybe not even ordinary . . .maybe a little broken, a little weird. Or broken? Certainly not the perfect, all-powerful hero of the baby that worshipped them. . .it is such an overwhelming epiphany . . .at least it was for me. I was stunned.
For KB it keeps happening over and over, and each time she must pull herself up and face life again, knowing what she knows. Life is hard, and just getting harder. But she gentles her fears and faces life. Often the bravest people we meet are children. Yet for me that child on the cusp of adulthood is the bravest of all, I think. KB grows in her pain and sorrow, and holds tight to hope of a better day on the other side of her long nights counting cricket chirps.
Remember that day when you first realized your parents, either one or the other, or perhaps both - were just ordinary? Or maybe not even ordinary . . .maybe a little broken, a little weird. Or broken? Certainly not the perfect, all-powerful hero of the baby that worshipped them. . .it is such an overwhelming epiphany . . .at least it was for me. I was stunned.
For KB it keeps happening over and over, and each time she must pull herself up and face life again, knowing what she knows. Life is hard, and just getting harder. But she gentles her fears and faces life. Often the bravest people we meet are children. Yet for me that child on the cusp of adulthood is the bravest of all, I think. KB grows in her pain and sorrow, and holds tight to hope of a better day on the other side of her long nights counting cricket chirps.
October 31, 2021
All the feels!
Although this book dealt with heavy duty themes, it had me riveted from the first page until the last. The coming of age tale has the reader settling into the characters' lives and the trials they face as well as the moments of joy they capture.
Grab a copy of this book, and grab an old mayonnaise jar to explore the wonders of fireflies and caterpillars. You'll be mesmerized as the story develops.
I was provided a copy of this book by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
Although this book dealt with heavy duty themes, it had me riveted from the first page until the last. The coming of age tale has the reader settling into the characters' lives and the trials they face as well as the moments of joy they capture.
Grab a copy of this book, and grab an old mayonnaise jar to explore the wonders of fireflies and caterpillars. You'll be mesmerized as the story develops.
I was provided a copy of this book by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
February 6, 2022
A sweet story- I loved KB! I wanted a little more from this one, but overall I liked the story. Very, very character driven. I'm not sure this is one I'd say you MUST read.
February 27, 2022
I loved KB's voice for most of the book. I felt like the last part didn't hold up as well as the rest of the book because it was trying to wrap up everything a bit too neatly - KB needed to come to terms with a whole lot of stuff that happened to her. It was true that her father died because he was a drug user, it was true that when he was high he turned into a violent person who couldn't recognize their own child. It was true that KB was sexually assaulted by someone she thought she could trust. It was true that she and her sister were abandoned first by their father, then by their mother while she dealt with her own grief. It was true that she had a racist experience maybe for the first time in her life.
All that is not dealt with in book. Those are not things that can be neatly tied up wrapped in a bow. I wish there was more. I wish there was at least an honest talk about dad's drug use, because that must have affected the family dynamics. KB also makes a wonderful point that I don't think would have occurred to an 11 year old right at that moment, it takes a lot of worrying at it, that her mother's grief made her feel othered - mom grieved for herself while forgetting her daughters lost their dad too. Why not discuss that - it's pushed to the side because we talk instead about her problems with her dad, important but not as important as her relationship with her husband and her daughters. As for the sexual assault, I think KB needs another few years at least to deal with it. I wish her support system was not just her sister who is only 3 years older and probably very confused.
The points the book brought up were very valid. But it only brings up the points and doesn't really do a good job of addressing all of it.
All that is not dealt with in book. Those are not things that can be neatly tied up wrapped in a bow. I wish there was more. I wish there was at least an honest talk about dad's drug use, because that must have affected the family dynamics. KB also makes a wonderful point that I don't think would have occurred to an 11 year old right at that moment, it takes a lot of worrying at it, that her mother's grief made her feel othered - mom grieved for herself while forgetting her daughters lost their dad too. Why not discuss that - it's pushed to the side because we talk instead about her problems with her dad, important but not as important as her relationship with her husband and her daughters. As for the sexual assault, I think KB needs another few years at least to deal with it. I wish her support system was not just her sister who is only 3 years older and probably very confused.
The points the book brought up were very valid. But it only brings up the points and doesn't really do a good job of addressing all of it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2021
It is really easy to mess up having a child as the narrator of your book, but KB, the 11-year-old who narrates this novel, joins Jai in Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line, Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird, and Harriet from Donna Tartt's The Little Friend as one of my favorite kid narrators ever. She's so vivid and thoughtful, but still recognizably a child. I'd say this gets a little too tidy and maybe unrealistically rosy towards the end, but still, I enjoyed this book very much.
KB's dad died in the past year of a drug overdose leaving a bunch of debts, so KB and her mother and 15-year-old sister, Nia, have had to deal with their grief and with homelessness, living in their car and a motel. These 3 people also carry a burden of secrets, which leads to disunity between them when they need each other most. The book begins when KB's mother reaches a breaking point and takes her daughters from Detroit to her estranged father's home in Lansing, where she leaves them behind. It's a hard change for the girls, but ultimately a good change. KB builds a relationship with her initially silent grandfather, learns some rough lessons, starts to work to rebuild her relationship with her sister. There's this exuberance in KB, who is having her first experiences with the natural world, rocks and flowers and caterpillars and fireflies, who is eager to make connections with other children, and who loves books. Working in a library, I love kids like KB, keep an eye out for them, save books to give them. As I read, I yearned to invite her in and then send her home with a stack.
KB's dad died in the past year of a drug overdose leaving a bunch of debts, so KB and her mother and 15-year-old sister, Nia, have had to deal with their grief and with homelessness, living in their car and a motel. These 3 people also carry a burden of secrets, which leads to disunity between them when they need each other most. The book begins when KB's mother reaches a breaking point and takes her daughters from Detroit to her estranged father's home in Lansing, where she leaves them behind. It's a hard change for the girls, but ultimately a good change. KB builds a relationship with her initially silent grandfather, learns some rough lessons, starts to work to rebuild her relationship with her sister. There's this exuberance in KB, who is having her first experiences with the natural world, rocks and flowers and caterpillars and fireflies, who is eager to make connections with other children, and who loves books. Working in a library, I love kids like KB, keep an eye out for them, save books to give them. As I read, I yearned to invite her in and then send her home with a stack.
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