If You Come Softly

If You Come Softly

Jacqueline Woodson

1998 * p. 181 * YA Realistic Fiction

Ellie is a white Jewish girl. Miah is black boy. They are both fifteen and meet on their first day at the expensive prep school in New York City that both their parents have chosen for them.

They connect in a moment but neither can tell why.

Miah (Jeremiah) says to his friend Carlton (who is half black and half white):

"It's like I know her--like I can look inside her and see everything. I know it sounds craz--"

"You sound like you're in love, man."

Jeremiah frowned. "Nah. I don't even know her." But he remembered that first day, bending with her to pick up her books in the hallway. Something inside him went cold that morning--cold and hot all at once. "I couldn't even tell you her last name." He was thoughtful for a moment. "But I was sitting next to her in class today--and I don't know--I felt like we. . . like we should always be next to each other. I don't know."

Carlton stood up and tucked the ball under his arm. "Sounds like love, man."

"But she's white."

Carlton raied an eyebrow. "Hello, Miah. Look who you talking to, man. It happens. And you know what? It ain't the worst thing in the world" (89).

They think about each other constantly, but it takes weeks before Miah finally talks to Ellie. From then on they are virtually inseperable. They are together during school and often walk to Central Park to talk. They have a lot in common. Both of them come from an unsatisfactory home life. Ellie's mother has left the family twice. But even though she came back, Ellie feels like she can never fully trust her. Miah's parents are divorced. His father had an affair with another woman, and he ow lives with her across the street. Both of their home lives are awkward and a little depressing.

Miah and Ellie become each other's best friend and fall in love almost instantly. But, of course, their races are an obstacle. People look at them strangely and Ellie is afraid to tell her parents.

If You Come Softly is a love story, but is innocent and not cheesy at all. It is more about two people finding a connection that helps them tackle the disappointments of life.

I enjoyed this book, although I was a little depressed afterward. But it is a heartfelt story.

-Reading level: ages 15 & up

-Needs a more mature audience to appreciate the issue of interracial relationships.

-A few swear words

-Themes of racism, interracial relationships, broken homes, honesty, communication