Harbor Me

By: Jacqueline Woodson

Narrated by: N'Jameh Camara, Jacqueline Woodson, Toshi Widoff-Woodson, Jose Carrera, Dean Flanagan, Angel Romero, Mikelle Wright-Matos

ALSC Notable Children's Books

ALSC Notable Children's Recordings

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work

New York Times Editors' Choice

New York Times Notable Book

Jacqueline Woodson is the 2018-2019 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature

Jacqueline Woodson's first middle-grade novel since National Book Award winner Brown Girl Dreaming celebrates the healing that can occur when a group of students share their stories.

It all starts when six kids have to meet for a weekly chat—by themselves, with no adults to listen in. There, in the room they soon dub the ARTT Room (short for "A Room to Talk"), they discover it's safe to talk about what's bothering them—everything from Esteban's father's deportation and Haley's father's incarceration to Amari's fears of racial profiling and Ashton's adjustment to his changing family fortunes. When the six are together, they can express the feelings and fears they have to hide from the rest of the world. And together, they can grow braver and more ready for the rest of their lives.

Cast of narrators:

• N’Jameh Camara, as Haley
• Jose Carrera, as Tiago
• Dean Flanagan, as AshtonAngel
• Romero, as Esteban
• Toshi Widoff-Woodson, as Holly
• Mikelle Wright-Matos, as Amari
• and also featuring the author, Jacqueline Woodson, as Ms. Laverne.

©2018 Jacqueline Woodson (P)2018 Listening Library

Critic reviews

“Woodson celebrates all that is essential and good for humanity—compassion, understanding, security, and freedom—in this touching novel. . . . Woodson’s skills as poet and master storyteller shine brightly here as she economically uses language to express emotion and delve into the hearts of her characters. Showing how America’s political and social issues affect children on a daily basis, this novel will leave an indelible mark on readers’ minds.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

* “Woodson delivers a powerful tale of community and mutual growth. The bond they develop is palpable. . . . The characters ring true as they discuss issues both personal and global. This story, told with exquisite language and clarity of narrative, is both heartbreaking and hopeful. An extraordinary and timely piece of writing.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* “The magic is in the writing. Woodson tells stories torn from headlines but personalizes them with poetry and memories, blunting their trauma with understanding and love. Haley’s history weaves in and out, drawing readers close. These children become each other's safe harbors and Woodson brilliantly shows readers how to find the connections we all need.”—Booklist, starred review

Great book!

I originally began reading this book as a coach of Battle of the Books. But this is a great book for kids! I will definitely be teaching this book for small groups.

Food for thought!

The story of how children see and experience difficult, complex issues of poverty, racism,and immigration.

Love

This iso my school book and I never get bored from the book and it interesting

Great book to listen to with my Boys (9 & 11)

My boys read this book in class with their teacher and loved it so much that they insisted I buy it for us to listen to together. (They are in 4th & 5th grade). So glad they did! We enjoyed listening to it together in the car and reflecting on the characters lives. Parts of the story brought me to tears. Extremely well written and performed. You really feel like you are getting to know each of the children in the story. I highly recommend this book.

Everyone should experience this book

Remember when we were children and we were smarter about how to get along? This is the intelligent and insightful story that reminds us to think and consider who we are to one another and how we can do/ be better in this world. Remember?!?

Absolutely wonderful

Important read for youth and anyone who supports youth. Run, don’t walk. Get this book

For my son

I loved it! I'm going to see if my son will listen to it. it reminds me of him and some of his learning struggles. maybe this book will reach him.

Fabulous read!!!

I absolutely love Jacqueline Woodson!! And this book is a wonderful story of building a community.

Woodson never disappoints.

The kids are so real. I'm a teacher in a very diverse school, and I kept seeing these kids as my students. I hear my students' voices as the kids talk. I hear their stories told with sincerity and truth.

I appreciated listening to Woodson's conversation with her son at the end.

As always, I'm left feeling glad to have met her characters, and not ready to read another book yet. I still have to say goodbye to these kids.

I really enjoy Jacqueline Woodson's work!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. The full cast was a bonus. moving story, timely issues. Great writing.