If You Come Softly

ALA BEST BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS

“Once again, Woodson handles delicate, even explosive subject matter with exceptional clarity, surety and depth. . . . She seems to slip effortlessly into the skins of both her main characters. . . . The intensity of their emotions will make hearts flutter, then ache. . . . Even as Woodson’s lyrical prose draws the audience into the tenderness of young love, her perceptive comments about race and racism will strike a chord with black readers and open the eyes of white readers.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Woodson confronts prejudice head-on.” —Booklist

“Lyrical narrative. . . . This fine author once again shows her gift for penning a novel that will ring true with young adults as it makes subtle comments on social situations.” —School Library Journal