Reviewed by Katie Seitz
Review Source: Teaching for Change
Book Author: Natasha Anastasia Tarpley
One of the best children’s books in recent years is Natasha Anastasia Tarpley’s Destiny’s Gift. Destiny, a little girl who loves words, writing, and reading, and spends all of her free time at a local independent bookstore, Wade’s Books.
Mrs. Wade, who runs the store, enjoys her company and encourages her writing and learning. One day, Mrs. Wade gets a notice that the rent on the store is being raised to a level that she cannot afford. When a devastated Destiny tells her parents, they bring the neighborhood together for a series of actions: a protest, a fundraising block party and book sale, signs, flyers and media alerts.
Destiny writes her own token of support, a piece containing everything she loves about the bookstore, which she presents to Mrs. Wade on her own. The book ends with no clear resolution about the fate of the bookstore, but on a moment of deep connection between two generations of women who love words and care about each other.
Destiny's Gift by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley
Published by Lee & Low Books on September 1st 2010
Genres: Activism, African American, Books and Libraries, Friendship, OwnVoices
Pages: 32
Reading Level: Grades 1-2
ISBN: 9781600606441
Review Source: Teaching for Change
SYNOPSIS: Destiny loves words, and her favorite place in the world is Mrs. Wade's bookstore, where words abound. On Saturdays, Destiny helps Mrs. Wade at the store, and at day's end they relax together, drinking tea and reading. Then one Saturday Mrs. Wade does not seem her usual self, and Destiny later learns the store may have to close.Destiny is determined not to let this happen. As she works to help keep the store open, she also creates an imaginative gift for Mrs. Wade that captures the warmth and special magic of the store forever.Destiny's Gift is a heartwarming celebration of friendship and creativity, and a touching tribute to a child's love for reading and the power of words.
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