Shine

A Short Story

By: Jodi Picoult

Narrated by: Audra McDonald

Length: 1 hr and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Jodi Picoult tackles issues of race and privilege in this original short story, a prequel to her novel Small Great Things.

In "Shine", the master storyteller and New York Times best-selling author of Leaving Time and My Sister's Keeper introduces listeners to the unforgettable Ruth Brooks. Today is Ruth's first day of third grade at Dalton. The prestigious institution on New York's Upper East Side couldn't be more different from her old school in Harlem. Despite being the smartest girl in her grade, Ruth suspects that her classmates and teachers only see her dark skin. She also notices that Christina, the daughter of her mother's employer, treats Ruth very differently when they're hanging out with the popular girls rather than playing together. Ruth must navigate between two worlds, never losing sight of the dreams she has for herself - in hopes that someday someone will see her for who she really is.

©2016 Jodi Picoult (P)2016 Random House Audio

love the author....not the narrator

I really struggled with this. I'm glad I got this before buying Small Great Things since it's narrated by the same person. I'll just read this book myself because I can't stand this narrator for some reason.

ugh pandering

a story about black women by a white woman. it rang very false. I was not a fan.

A good "Listen"

What a great way to spend an hour listening to a good story. I really enjoyed the ending. Not to be a spoiler,
but it had a perfect ending and I will listen to it again and again.
Annette Collins

Good reading, it was history with common sense. Protecting her family amiust prejudice I this world is fundamental right.

I really enjoyed this book. Prejudice is so outrageous in America. This book address the history and challenges that continues.

Ruth!

This gives additional insight on how Ruth's struggle began....been a long road for her. Ongoing.

Too short!

Any additional comments?

This is a very short story about Ruth from Small Great Things. It was a good story, I just wanted more. Having already listened to Small Great Things, I really wanted to hear where she started. I didn't (but should have) realize when I purchased it that it was a short story.

Ended too soon!

I didn’t realize this was a prequel to Small Great Things which is also on my ‘to be read’ list until I got ready to leave a review. Now knowing this I feel better because I really didn’t want the book to end. Lol! This was a really well-written short story by Piccoult and I was instantly drawn into these characters from the very beginning. Audra McDonald did a fabulous job narrating and breathing life into all of the characters. I’m so glad the story continues with Small Great Things because I wasn’t a fan of how it ended sort of abruptly. Now I understand but I still wanted Ruth to go to school with the headband on and see the reaction of her peers, and I wish she could’ve tapped into her own bright star and shined for her schoolmates and family to see. Overall the book was quite enjoyable and I do look forward to hearing more from this author.

Great narration

Loved listening to Audra McDonald’s narration. I’m going to seek out more of her audiobooks.

wonderful

Audra McDonald is a wonderful narrator. This prequel to Small Great Things gave me chills. Wonderful accompaniment to the novel.

Informative but too short

I enjoyed reading the beginning of Ruth going to school but it was too short; just as I got into the story it ended. 😞
In all honesty I already completed the book I should've read this first.
I gave the story a rating of four stars only because I wanted more!