by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich. Levine Querido; 2024.
Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich lives with her family in New York City. A global citizen, Rhuday-Perkovich has lived in several countries. In addition to being the author of outstanding literature for children, she has worked extensively in youth development and education and was twice awarded a public service fellowship by the Echoing Green Foundation for her work on a creative arts and literacy project with adolescent girls. In one of her online essays, Rhuday-Perkovich wrote, “I remind myself that I am made up of many stories—beautiful, powerful, messy, mysterious, painful, joyful, mistake-making, and yes, excellent, and magical. The kaleidoscope of Black stories reminds me that I don’t have to be anyone other than who I am—and gives me the space to dream of being who I wanted to be.” In You’re Breaking My Heart, we find Harriet Adu, a 15 year old Nigerian American working through the space around her to figure out who she wants to be.
The space around Harriet is truly messy, mysterious, and painful. Her brother was recently killed in a tragic school shooting. Readers will realize everyone in Harriet’s world is processing this trauma in their own isolated way, but Rhuday-Perkovich focuses readers on Harriet’s awareness and experiences, allowing us to know only what she knows. Both her cousin, Nikka, and her brother’s best friend, Luke, have made Harriet their project, despite her bitterness. Her grief becomes tangible. Rhuday-Perkovich throws popular references out as quickly as Hazel’s tongue cuts, yet the pace allows readers to digest is all. She creates a suspenseful, psychological, and at times funny, thrilling, metaverse fantasy that at its core is Hazel’s reality.
What Works: I really enjoyed this unique approach to storytelling and its approach to grief. Rhuday-Perkovich informs readers that grief cannot be ignored. She doesn’t prescribe any solutions, but she advises readers to dig in.
What doesn’t work: I’m still confused about Harriet’s mom’s involvement in what went on.
Pass it or grab it? Grab it and hold on tight because this book is quite an intense ride. It would be a necessary addition for libraries seeking more challenging BIPOC literature for their collections. Don’t miss the soundtrack on Spotify.
Black Cotton Reviewers 