Harbor Me

By: Jacqueline Woodson

Narrated by: N'Jameh Camara, Jacqueline Woodson, Toshi Widoff-Woodson, Jose Carrera, Dean Flanagan, Angel Romero, Mikelle Wright-Matos

Length: 3 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

ALSC Notable Children's Books

ALSC Notable Children's Recordings

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work

New York Times Editors' Choice

New York Times Notable Book

Jacqueline Woodson is the 2018-2019 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature

Jacqueline Woodson's first middle-grade novel since National Book Award winner Brown Girl Dreaming celebrates the healing that can occur when a group of students share their stories.

It all starts when six kids have to meet for a weekly chat—by themselves, with no adults to listen in. There, in the room they soon dub the ARTT Room (short for "A Room to Talk"), they discover it's safe to talk about what's bothering them—everything from Esteban's father's deportation and Haley's father's incarceration to Amari's fears of racial profiling and Ashton's adjustment to his changing family fortunes. When the six are together, they can express the feelings and fears they have to hide from the rest of the world. And together, they can grow braver and more ready for the rest of their lives.

Cast of narrators:

• N’Jameh Camara, as Haley
• Jose Carrera, as Tiago
• Dean Flanagan, as AshtonAngel
• Romero, as Esteban
• Toshi Widoff-Woodson, as Holly
• Mikelle Wright-Matos, as Amari
• and also featuring the author, Jacqueline Woodson, as Ms. Laverne.

©2018 Jacqueline Woodson (P)2018 Listening Library

Critic reviews

“Woodson celebrates all that is essential and good for humanity—compassion, understanding, security, and freedom—in this touching novel. . . . Woodson’s skills as poet and master storyteller shine brightly here as she economically uses language to express emotion and delve into the hearts of her characters. Showing how America’s political and social issues affect children on a daily basis, this novel will leave an indelible mark on readers’ minds.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

* “Woodson delivers a powerful tale of community and mutual growth. The bond they develop is palpable. . . . The characters ring true as they discuss issues both personal and global. This story, told with exquisite language and clarity of narrative, is both heartbreaking and hopeful. An extraordinary and timely piece of writing.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* “The magic is in the writing. Woodson tells stories torn from headlines but personalizes them with poetry and memories, blunting their trauma with understanding and love. Haley’s history weaves in and out, drawing readers close. These children become each other's safe harbors and Woodson brilliantly shows readers how to find the connections we all need.”—Booklist, starred review

Woodson never disappoints.

The kids are so real. I'm a teacher in a very diverse school, and I kept seeing these kids as my students. I hear my students' voices as the kids talk. I hear their stories told with sincerity and truth.

I appreciated listening to Woodson's conversation with her son at the end.

As always, I'm left feeling glad to have met her characters, and not ready to read another book yet. I still have to say goodbye to these kids.

For my son

I loved it! I'm going to see if my son will listen to it. it reminds me of him and some of his learning struggles. maybe this book will reach him.

Everyone should read this.

Suitable for children, but ever adult should hear the real stories these children are telling. Beautiful writing, touching and powerful but also light and beautiful. Well done!

Everyone should experience this book

Remember when we were children and we were smarter about how to get along? This is the intelligent and insightful story that reminds us to think and consider who we are to one another and how we can do/ be better in this world. Remember?!?

Great book!

I originally began reading this book as a coach of Battle of the Books. But this is a great book for kids! I will definitely be teaching this book for small groups.

Absolutely wonderful

Important read for youth and anyone who supports youth. Run, don’t walk. Get this book

A beautiful story

The vulnerability of six beautiful children shows us that true friendship is what our human hearts desire to take us in and protect us.

the higher the cost is to go to a lot and get a lo

the only thing I can see is to be a little bit more. the higher it is spite is the date of money and then post a great time a great day. edit on the q

Just what we need

I think it should be required reading in schools! Tolerance for folks who don’t look like us isn’t taught in the classroom. It’s an antidote to hate
taught in families.

Diversity

I was introduced to this book by my daughter Sophia, she insisted that I should listening/ read this book. I did and love it.
The way that the author talk about diversity in so many circumstances ,how things can change in our lives in seconds and we must be open to those new events.How kids need to be heard by their friends in a nice way and supported by them.
As a immigrants from Brazil we could relate to the story.