Well written and complex novel about the intersection of race, class, gender, and ethnicity. Even though its set almost 50 years ago it has a lot of relatable middle school coming of age moments. ( )

This work of historical fiction addresses a busing plan in 1970s New York, to integrate a new school. What I thought important to take away from reading this, is that whenever officials plan "experiments"or policies, their actions affect actual people.

It's a perspective that is just as important to keep in mind today.

In this case, the story protagonists face a long daily bus ride to attend an unfamiliar school. And as mixed-race girls, the story's protagonists face an additional challenge of not knowing which of their races society expects them to be. Indeed, the story is set only a few short years after mixed-race marriages even became legal.

One of the girls receives backlash for dating "outside of" her race - and, in an afterword, the author shares that she faced a similar experience: "At the time, I was speechless, especially since my own race wasn't obvious to me."

(I found this ARC among books that were donated by a library vendor.)