I love books set in the 80s, and when I read the synopsis of this one after seeing it was a Read with Jenna pick, I knew I had to check it out! Set primarily in the summer of 1987, this book follows the journey of Diamond Newberry, a young Black girl living in a small town where she feels like an outsider in more ways than one.

Since her father disappeared seven years ago, Diamond is the only Black person living in the small Northeastern town of Swift River. Her mother has difficulty holding down a job, and Diamond’s measly earnings from working at the local hotel aren’t enough to keep up with the bills. Their power and gas are often shut off, they have to hitchhike anywhere they need to go, and the house is being foreclosed on. But, according to Anna, Diamond’s mother, she is going to file a request to formally declare “Pop” dead, allowing them to collect on his life insurance policy and start over. Naturally, this isn’t as easy as it sounds because, over the years, people have claimed to have seen him, so Anna and Diamond have to prove that he’s actually dead.

Diamond’s world is further turned upside down when she receives a letter from a long-lost relative, leading her to uncover hidden truths about her family’s past. Through a series of letters, she is introduced to generations of Black women who have faced their own struggles and triumphs, all centered around this small racist town. The more Diamond learns about her past and the promise of what lies beyond her small town, the more determined she is to pass her driving test, get her license, and leave this place once and for all.

Diamond’s story is one of resilience, heartache, and, ultimately, self-discovery. As Diamond unravels the mysteries of her family’s history, she begins to piece together her own identity and where she might fit in the world. The revelations she uncovers challenge her perception of her family, herself, and the world around her, ultimately leading her to a deeper understanding of where she comes from and where she needs to be.

The writing in Swift River is beautiful, painting a vivid picture of life in a small town in the 1980s. Chambers does a fantastic job of weaving together the past and present, creating a rich tapestry of characters and emotions that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Diamond’s journey is both heartbreaking and heartwarming as she navigates the complexities of family, race, and identity in a world that often feels stacked against her.

In the book, we mainly follow Diamond’s story, alternating between 1980, leading up to her father’s disappearance, and 1987, as she plans her future away from Swift River. The book also includes letters from Auntie Lena to Diamond, as well as letters from one of Diamond’s relatives who lived in Swift River in 1915, writing to her sister, Sweetie, who lived in Georgia. These three women’s stories come together to reveal a history of racism and oppression in a sundown town. What was especially captivating about this book was that we often think of sundown towns existing only in the South, but as you’ll learn in this book, this country has an awful history of “white-only” towns all across the nation.

I thought this was a powerful and moving coming-of-age story that explores love, loss, and the enduring strength of family bonds. It also delves into embracing your true self instead of listening to those who hold you back. I highly recommend adding it to your summer reading list. It’s the perfect summer read that you won’t regret picking up!