Author Tiffany D. Jackson is known for her mysteries and thrillers geared towards young readers, and her latest offering, The Weight of Blood, was absolutely perfect reading during the Halloween season when I first picked it up. A re-imagining of the story of Carrie, by Stephen King, Jackson takes the classic and places it in 2014 in small-town Georgia.
The Situation: It was a fairly usual day at Springville High School. No one may have expected the rain that came down during first period, especially Maddy Washington, who made it a point to check the weather at least three times before leaving her house. The surprise downpour has wreaked havoc on her hair, leading to two reactions from her fellow students in her next class. The popular girls in the back cannot hold back their laughter...they even begin to throw things into Maddy's afro. But this also makes everyone realize something no one knew, even the teacher - Maddy Washington is black. When a video of the teasing makes it onto social media, Springville must do serious damage control, while also confronting its racist history.
The Problem: One solution to help both the school and the town's image is to hold the first integrated prom at the end of the month. Of course, there is significant resistance. Many believe things are fine the way they are, that this integration of one of the high school's most sacred and long-held traditions is not necessary, maybe even a little extreme. But popular class president and head of the prom committee Wendy is determined to save the day, and even has a plan to get Maddy to attend the event. When everything seems to be going well, even better than perfect, some of Maddy's classmates decide enough is enough, and ruin an evening where the poor girl started to feel almost normal. Unbeknownst to them, this is just the thing to cause this night to truly be one no one will ever forget...well, the ones that live anyway.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction book that takes place mostly during May of 2014, which is the height of prom season for many high schools in the U.S. The book also contains segments from episodes of Maddy Did It, a fictional show on NPR that is exploring the event, interviewing witnesses and experts, and going through old records in an attempt to piece together what exactly happened the night of the prom. Of course, those that are familiar with Stephen King's Carrie more or less know what happens, but Jackson brings the horror story into the 21st century by introducing a plot with themes of institutional racism, privilege, and how the act of protecting history and tradition can quickly reveal how people really feel about progress and reconciliation, while also indicting those who stand by and do nothing.
My Verdict: I knew this was going to be a tough one - books that deal with racism usually are on some level - but I let my apprehension allow me to forget how fun Jackson's books can be. Poor Maddy is a complex character, raised in a household by a man who was determined that she would not be exactly who she is. Add in a town that is desperately trying to hold onto its racist roots, and a significant event is bound to happen. Not only is the situation incredibly tense, but each chapter brings new discoveries of different characters, and different pieces of the story. My only issue would be the ending. While I understand that not every mystery needs to be solved, there were some loose ends that bothered me. But whatever. I still say lovers of horror will have fun with this one.
Favorite Moment: As someone who works at a large university, I know that it is possible to rescind a student's admission. I will just say that it happens in this book, and it is glorious.
Favorite Character: Mrs. Morgan does her best to help Maddy, as well as be of assistance to the other black students at Springville High School. She does what she knows the principal cannot (or will not), and has no issue standing up against popular students and their powerful parents.
Recommended Reading: Monday's Not Coming still remains my favorite of all of Jackson's books that I have read.
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