Sincerely Sicily

Starred review from November 14, 2022
Sicily Jordan, who is Panamanian American, is excited to start sixth grade at Ravenswood Middle School with her three best friends, until new zoning results in her no longer being eligible to attend, and she’s forced to enroll at local Shirley Chisholm Middle School instead. On her first day of class, Sicily gets a flyer for the school’s magazine club, for which she hopes to channel her passion for writing. She also reconnects with Filipina classmate Reyna, with whom she was friends in kindergarten. During a presentation in which Sicily is tasked with educating her classmates about her heritage, a student asks, “If your family is from Panama and they speak Spanish, why are you Black?” When she tries to talk to her family about her frustrations surrounding the classmate’s remarks, her abuela makes an anti-Black comment about Sicily’s hair that leaves her feeling betrayed. Despite her strained relationships, Sicily stays focused on learning more about her Black and Latina roots; her research inspires her to stand up to her bullies, including her beloved abuela. Timely and refreshing, Burgess’s vulnerably rendered debut empathetically tackles colorism and highlights the courage it takes to confront the hurtful words of strangers and loved ones alike. Ages 8–12.

December 1, 2022
Grades 4-7 Burgess' touching debut introduces readers to Sicily Jordan, who finds herself in a new school for sixth grade, where she has to wear a uniform (ugh!) and struggles to make friends. Sicily, who is Black and Panamanian, has no issues with standing out and wears her hair in braids to show her pride in her heritage. After a class presentation on her mixed background goes wrong, Sicily is at a loss as to why her classmates are unable to understand how someone can be more than one race. As the story progresses, Sicily starts to struggle with her confidence and pride as she tries to decide if it's time to set aside people's judgement of her and raise her voice to educate others about who she is. Readers will connect to the realistic situations presented in this novel, as well as the themes pertaining to change, personal identity, and grief. Family also plays an important role, especially Sicily's abuela, with whom she has a close relationship. This affirming tale is a strong companion novel for Sharon Draper's Blended (2018).

COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

December 23, 2022

Gr 5 Up-It's incredibly difficult for authors to faithfully write adolescent voices, to give weight to their struggles and concerns without coming across as condescending. Thankfully, Burgess completely embodies sixth-grader Sicily, making her fears and concerns spot-on for a new middle schooler. She's not an outcast or nerd. Sicily is popular, adorable, and smart. Her struggles with family and friends are not catastrophic, but feel true to life. Will she be able to make lasting friendships with her new classmates? Will she return to her writing roots after her biggest cheerleader, Abuelo, passes away? Will she mend fences with her grandmother even after Abeula's microaggressions towards Sicily boil over and burn her soul? The curiosity and growth reflect preteen angst perfectly-trials aren't astounding, but they're groundbreaking and still matter. Alongside the story of Sicily starting a new school without her elementary crew, Burgess weaves in an exploration of Sicily's cultural identity as a Black Panamanian. There's a natural progression of questioning about race and culture. Again, there's lovely lightness in how the questions are handled. There's no trauma depicted, just discomfort that sparks Sicily towards action. VERDICT Tween readers will relate to Sicily's story of finding herself while navigating changes and uncertainty.-Cat McCarrey

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2023
Sicily Jordan had been excited about starting sixth grade with her friend group, the "Tether Squad" (including coordinated "outfits for almost the entire first month"). A last-minute redistricting plan means she has to transfer to Shirley Chisholm Middle School -- without her squad. She's devastated and worries about making friends with a whole new group of people. Her "It's My Culture" presentation for class results in ignorant questions about her heritage: how can she be Black and speak Spanish? Is her family really from Panama? Sicily's frustrations are compounded at home, where her beloved abuela has become increasingly vocal about her dislike of her granddaughter's braided hair, calling it "low-class and poor and ghetto." While other family members and friends provide some support and levity, it's an opportunity to write for the school's online magazine that gives the biggest boost. In searching for topics, Sicily also begins to research her culture -- and discovers that her biggest advocate just might be herself. Issues of colorism, culture, and immigration are skillfully discussed, and Sicily's journal entries introduce the rich history of Black Panamanians. Eboni Njoku

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from October 15, 2022
Sixth grade changes Sicily Jordan's whole world and how she sees herself. Sicily lives in San Diego with her parents; older brother, Enrique; and paternal grandmother. While she and her mother are darker-skinned Black Panamanians, Sicily's father; his mother, Abuela Bel�n; and Enrique are much lighter, yet it's never been much of an issue before, as they all share and celebrate Paname�o heritage. Sicily has a tightknit friend group of Black girls who, due to school zone borders, won't be going to her new school with her. At Shirley Chisholm Middle, while also working tirelessly on challenging school assignments and friendships, culture and identity become a stressful focus for Sicily. Her classmates find the existence of Afro-Latine people inherently confusing and say so in hurtful ways. Meanwhile at home, Abuela Bel�n's deep-seated colorism and racism boil over into hostile interactions with her vulnerable granddaughter. Sicily feels attacked from all angles, and while supportive conversations with close friends and family are heartening, her convictions as a writer like her late Abuelo and a researcher of her own heritage impressively model the ways an ordinary girl--consistently serving fab lip gloss looks--can be an extraordinary self-advocate even when she shouldn't have to be. The laudable culmination presents all Sicily has learned about herself and Panamanian history and, in doing so, offers a striking learning opportunity for those who struggle with understanding cultural and racial differences. Prejudice can show up anywhere; this smart, rich novel deserves to be read everywhere. (Fiction. 9-13)

COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2023
Sicily Jordan had been excited about starting sixth grade with her friend group, the "Tether Squad" (including coordinated "outfits for almost the entire first month"). A last-minute redistricting plan means she has to transfer to Shirley Chisholm Middle School -- without her squad. She's devastated and worries about making friends with a whole new group of people. Her "It's My Culture" presentation for class results in ignorant questions about her heritage: how can she be Black and speak Spanish? Is her family really from Panama? Sicily's frustrations are compounded at home, where her beloved abuela has become increasingly vocal about her dislike of her granddaughter's braided hair, calling it "low-class and poor and ghetto." While other family members and friends provide some support and levity, it's an opportunity to write for the school's online magazine that gives the biggest boost. In searching for topics, Sicily also begins to research her culture -- and discovers that her biggest advocate just might be herself. Issues of colorism, culture, and immigration are skillfully discussed, and Sicily's journal entries introduce the rich history of Black Panamanians.

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)