Being Clem

Praise

★ “Cline-Ransome’s mastery of first person narration and her gift for dialogue present a close-up look at Chicago’s African American community in the 1940s. . . . While readers will miss this group of Cline-Ransome’s memorable characters, Clem’s story is a satisfying end to the series.” —The Horn Book, Starred Review

★  ”Like the other two entries, this novel with its parallel narrative addresses tough situations with care, including parental grief and depression, the threat of eviction, domestic abuse, the emotional and physical abuse of children, the impact of racism, and negotiating problematic friendships. A compelling work whose intriguing characters readers will miss when they turn the last page.” —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

★ “Cline-Ransome offers unusually perceptive portrayals of his family members, their interactions, and their strong, ongoing, but largely unspoken grief. Clem’s engaging first-person story, written with simplicity and emotional clarity, provides a rewarding conclusion to this historical fiction trilogy.”—Booklist, Starred Review

★ “[Lesa] Cline-Ransome skillfully brings the era of 1944 middle America to life, giving readers a glimpse of an often neglected part of history—growing up Black through the segregation and discrimination in the North during this time period. . . . ­Exceptional characters and the chance to explore the previous volumes will leave readers wanting more. The historical aspect of the novel encourages further exploration of the era and a greater understanding of race in America during this time. This whole series deserves a place on library shelves ­everywhere.”—School Library Journal, Starred Review  

★ “In addition to exploring Clem’s relationships with his friends, Cline-Ransome offers unusually perceptive portrayals of his family members, their interactions, and their strong, ongoing, but largely unspoken grief. Clem’s engaging first-person story, written with simplicity and emotional clarity, provides a rewarding conclusion to this historical fiction trilogy.”—Booklist, Starred Review

“Cline-Ransome incorporates events of mid-century American history so seamlessly, young readers may not realize they’re absorbing real historical facts. . . . Works beautifully as a stand-alone or as a companion to the earlier novels in the trilogy.”—Shelf Awareness

“In this final title of Cline-Ransome’s historical fiction trilogy, Clem steps fully into the limelight, and the Thurbers’ story sensitively explores another facet the Black community on Chicago’s South Side during the 1940s, as government bias against Black servicemen causes a proud family to lose its tenuous grip on prosperity.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books