Standing Against the Wind

Well deserving of its accolades, Standing Against the Wind by Traci L. Jones is truly a “flower amongst garbage and filth.” This book is inspiring, engaging and allows students of all ages to relate to the thoughts and experiences found in its pages.

An overriding theme in this book is a deep sense of hope. Patrice seems to always find the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. Whether she is contrasting the warmth of the Deep South with the frigid air of Chicago or her current school situation with the one she hopes to be in next year, we see her hope that she can achieve her dreams with a little hard work and determination. I love that we watch her rise above her situation to be the young woman she is and that she is not afraid to show that person to the world. She is unwillingly to compromise herself to be the person that others want her to be.

For me, it truly spoke to my personal school experiences. Though I cannot relate to her difficult home situation, I can relate to being the shy, studious student who was often set apart from others. Especially in middle school, I was the girl who was made fun of for being “too smart.” I also found myself in the poofy-haired insecurity. I have naturally curly hair and at that age, neither my mother nor I truly knew how to care for it. As I grew older, I finally found myself, my voice and my confidence, just as Patrice does in this story. With Monty’s help, Patrice begins to gain the courage to stand up for herself and find her voice. She also begins to realize that she truly is beautiful as her self-image and confidence grow.

I would most definitely recommend this book to students. One of few stories with strong female protagonists, Jones develops strong young characters who grow as the pages unfold. This book is a true examination of relationships and the personal growth of confidence and voice. This novel also helps young readers understand that there can be hope in every situation and they have the opportunity to achieve their dreams no matter what their immediate circumstances are. I enjoyed this book immensely.