The House You Pass on the Way

by Jacqueline Woodson

Book Overview

A lyrical coming-of-age story from a three-time Newbery Honor winning author Thirteen-year-old Staggerlee used to be called Evangeline, but she took on a fiercer name. She's always been different--set... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385321899
• ISBN13: 9780385321891
• Release Date: September 1997
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Length: 99 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

amazing story of finding yourself.

"seemed like this town, their house, was all just something you passed along the way". Staggerlee is a young woman of fourteen who has taken on a separate identity. She used the titular character of the famous song to honor the point that the character in the song struggled to break out of the gates someone had built around him. For her this rings true, because there are several obstacles she struggles against daily. For one thing her grandparents were famous civil rights activists who were killed for their cause in a bombing some years back. Then there's the fact that Staggerlee is the daughter of a white woman and a black man in a community that is predominately black to begin with and her parents are the only bi-racial couple. This has caused tension in her family on her father's side because his sisters have refused to accept the validity of the marriage and have chosen estrangement in lieu of accepting the marriage. Finally, there's the struggle of Staggerlee's sexuality to deal with. When she was in the sixth grade she kissed a friend named Hazel who immediately shunned her for doing this, so Staggerlee has closeted her feelings towards women thinking them taboo and not something people talk about. When Staggerlee's Aunt Hallique dies her other Aunt Ida Mae sends a letter to her parents telling of it, and that she wishes to send her adopted daughter, Tyler, to visit for the summer. This seems odd to her father, Elijah, that for years they were ignored and then out of nowhere they send their daughter to see them. At first he won't allow it but Staggerlee argues for the visit when she realizes that Tyler is her age, and she sees a photo of her and finds her intriguing. Elijah gives in and when Tyler does arrive she stirs up all sorts of emotions in Staggerlee not unlike her experience with Hazel. Her interest in Tyler is doubled when on their meeting Tyler asks to be called Trout and explains that a trout will fight you with all it's strength to be free when you catch one. This appeals to Staggerlee and the to become fast friends, eventually confessing their mutual attraction to women and what this might mean in the grand scheme of things. This book has so many layers to it, which is amazing considering it's a mere 114 pages long. For the one thing there is the question of race, the ethical and the implications of accepting people for more than just the color of their skin. Second there is the sexual aspect of it. It is so important for young people who are gay to understand that it is not wrong or evil like some narrow minded people would have one believe. Even in this book it is hard for the two girls to say the word "gay" and admit that they might be so, and even when one decides that it is easier to be straight and go along with everything that she "should" be doing the other girl who seems more sure still won't say that she is gay or not. What about our culture makes this a dirty word? Why must we still view movies like "Brokeback M

A Delicious Story About a Girl's Budding Sexuality

Remember what it was like having your first crush, that delicious sensation of something sweet and forbidden, but tingling with anticipation of doing it again? That feeling is captured in Jacqueline Woodson's tender novel, THE HOUSE YOU PASS ALONG THE WAY. Evangeline "Staggerlee" Canan, the 14-year-old biracial protagonist of this tale, deals with her true feelings when her cousin, Trout, comes to visit. Before Trout's arrival, Staggerlee's life is filled with longing. Despite being surrounded by a loving family, she's lonely and doesn't have many friends. She does grow close to new classmate Hazel, whom she kisses in between the cornflowers, but that soon fades once Hazel discovers Staggerlee's tragic family past. Before her parents married, Staggerlee's grandparents were killed by a car bomb. Both famous entertainers, they were immortalized in her small town of Sweet Gum. Because of it--and her parents being an interracial couple--people look at Staggerlee and her family differently. They assume she's stuck up and treat her as an outcast. Everything changes when Trout comes to Sweet Gum. Staggerlee's never met her 15-year-old cousin. But when she does, she's taken aback by Trout's beauty and presence. Trout's a little pensive at first, but the more the two spend time together, they learn they have a lot more in common. They share a love girls, both having had their first same-sex crushes. Because of this connection, their bond evolves into a deep friendship. Staggerlee has found somebody who truly knows how she feels. She realizes that her feelings for girls are real and valid. Once Trout returns home, things do become different between them. But by then, Staggerlee has the confidence to be herself and gain friends in the process. Woodson is a truly gifted writer to craft such a beautiful novel about a girl's seach for self. Not only did it showcase a young woman's budding sexuality, but highlighted the unconditional love of a family. One can truly say this novel takes you back to the past when love was fresh and new and innocent.

Touching!

It is a beautiful story. It addresses issues of racism, interracial marriage, a high school girl's crush..on another girl, a beautiful friendshp all without ever sounding preachy. The writing is crisp, descriptive and succinct.

This book is great!!!

I loved everything about it. Her selection of words how she put so much thought into such a small book it was wonderful. i couldn't put it down and finished it in 2 days!