Find my full review here: https://literaryquicksand.com/2022/08/review-last-summer-on-state-street-by-toya-wolfe/
First of all, thank you to William Morrow and Goodreads for giving away copies of this book. I was totally delighted to win this one. After reading it, I feel even more delighted to have Last Summer on State Street on my shelves!
This story captivated me from page one. I can remember being a 12-year-old girl, and to be that age in that situation...how incredibly difficult.
Fe Fe was really easy to fall in love with and care for. She's just a little girl longing for some stability and friendship, yet she has to constantly navigate her perilous living situation. Seeing the world through her eyes was so heartbreaking at times, but her child-like outlook on everything was beautiful.
There's so much in this book, from the failure of the police to protect and serve in the way they're supposed to, to child abuse, to education and the importance of having teachers and adults in the lives of kids who actually care. There's a lot going on, but it doesn't overwhelm this relatively short book. To watch Fe Fe navigate everything with strength and positivity was pretty incredible.
