Your Plantation Prom Is Not Okay
This sharp-witted, timely novel explores cancel culture, anger, and grief, and challenges the romanticization of America's racist past with humor and heart-for readers of Dear Martin by Nic Stone and Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson.

Harriet Douglass lives with her historian father on an old plantation in Louisiana, which they've transformed into one of the South's few enslaved people's museums. Together, while grieving the recent loss of Harriet's mother, they run tours that help keep the memory of the past alive.

Harriet's world is turned upside down by the arrival of mother and daughter Claudia and Layla Hartwell-who plan to turn the property next door into a wedding venue, and host the offensively antebellum-themed wedding of two Hollywood stars.

Harriet's fully prepared to hate Layla Hartwell, but it seems that Layla might not be so bad after all-unlike many people, this California influencer is actually interested in Harriet's point of view. Harriet's sure she can change the hearts of Layla and her mother, but she underestimates the scale of the challenge...and when her school announces that prom will be held on the plantation, Harriet's just about had it with this whole racist timeline! Overwhelmed by grief and anger, it's fair to say she snaps.

Can Harriet use the power of social media to cancel the celebrity wedding and the plantation prom? Will she accept that she's falling in love with her childhood best friend, who's unexpectedly returned after years away? Can she deal with the frustrating reality that Americans seem to live in two completely different countries? And through it all, can she and Layla build a bridge between them?
1142157083
Your Plantation Prom Is Not Okay
This sharp-witted, timely novel explores cancel culture, anger, and grief, and challenges the romanticization of America's racist past with humor and heart-for readers of Dear Martin by Nic Stone and Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson.

Harriet Douglass lives with her historian father on an old plantation in Louisiana, which they've transformed into one of the South's few enslaved people's museums. Together, while grieving the recent loss of Harriet's mother, they run tours that help keep the memory of the past alive.

Harriet's world is turned upside down by the arrival of mother and daughter Claudia and Layla Hartwell-who plan to turn the property next door into a wedding venue, and host the offensively antebellum-themed wedding of two Hollywood stars.

Harriet's fully prepared to hate Layla Hartwell, but it seems that Layla might not be so bad after all-unlike many people, this California influencer is actually interested in Harriet's point of view. Harriet's sure she can change the hearts of Layla and her mother, but she underestimates the scale of the challenge...and when her school announces that prom will be held on the plantation, Harriet's just about had it with this whole racist timeline! Overwhelmed by grief and anger, it's fair to say she snaps.

Can Harriet use the power of social media to cancel the celebrity wedding and the plantation prom? Will she accept that she's falling in love with her childhood best friend, who's unexpectedly returned after years away? Can she deal with the frustrating reality that Americans seem to live in two completely different countries? And through it all, can she and Layla build a bridge between them?
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Your Plantation Prom Is Not Okay

Your Plantation Prom Is Not Okay

by Kelly McWilliams

Narrated by Heni Zoutomou

Unabridged — 9 hours, 42 minutes

Your Plantation Prom Is Not Okay

Your Plantation Prom Is Not Okay

by Kelly McWilliams

Narrated by Heni Zoutomou

Unabridged — 9 hours, 42 minutes

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Overview

This sharp-witted, timely novel explores cancel culture, anger, and grief, and challenges the romanticization of America's racist past with humor and heart-for readers of Dear Martin by Nic Stone and Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson.

Harriet Douglass lives with her historian father on an old plantation in Louisiana, which they've transformed into one of the South's few enslaved people's museums. Together, while grieving the recent loss of Harriet's mother, they run tours that help keep the memory of the past alive.

Harriet's world is turned upside down by the arrival of mother and daughter Claudia and Layla Hartwell-who plan to turn the property next door into a wedding venue, and host the offensively antebellum-themed wedding of two Hollywood stars.

Harriet's fully prepared to hate Layla Hartwell, but it seems that Layla might not be so bad after all-unlike many people, this California influencer is actually interested in Harriet's point of view. Harriet's sure she can change the hearts of Layla and her mother, but she underestimates the scale of the challenge...and when her school announces that prom will be held on the plantation, Harriet's just about had it with this whole racist timeline! Overwhelmed by grief and anger, it's fair to say she snaps.

Can Harriet use the power of social media to cancel the celebrity wedding and the plantation prom? Will she accept that she's falling in love with her childhood best friend, who's unexpectedly returned after years away? Can she deal with the frustrating reality that Americans seem to live in two completely different countries? And through it all, can she and Layla build a bridge between them?

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"McWilliams’ portrayal of grief is well written and appropriately nuanced; readers will feel angry and sad and will cheer for Harriet all at the same timeThe book’s confrontation of the romanticization of plantations and present-day medical neglect of the Black community is not only important, but necessaryAn emotional exploration of the continued impact America’s racist history has on contemporary society."
 —Kirkus

"A well-written, insightful, and emotional look at healing, stewardship, action, shame, and traumatic grief. A powerful, unflinching look at the hard truths of the legacy of slavery, mental health issues, and the connection between medical neglect and racism."SLJ

"A well-rounded story, well characterized with snappy dialogue and moments of levity and romance."Booklist, starred

"A moving story about sisterhood and perseverance in the face of a society that tells Black girls they are worthless."Booklist

"McWilliams stuns with this well-told, honest story that peels apart the legacy of slavery to examine the undeniable connection from past horrors and trauma to present oppression and violence, in obvious and less obvious forms.​"BCCB, starred review

"McWilliams pens a touching story about grief, compassion for one’s ancestors, and one teen’s pursuit of justice in this thoughtfully rendered telling, which interrogates the romanticization of Black pain and the pros and cons of social media activism."—Publishers Weekly

"McWilliams is an expert at character building, and Harriet is a wonderful and welcome addition to YA."—Buzzfeed News

Kirkus Reviews

2023-02-25
High school senior Harriet Douglass lives on a former plantation in Louisiana.

Westwood is an outlier in the area, not only because it is owned by Black people, but also because it’s not a bed-and-breakfast: Harriet and her parents moved to the former sugar cane plantation when she was 9 and restored it into a museum honoring the enslaved people who lived and worked there. Harriet loves being a tour guide teaching visitors the hard truth about Westwood, even when the weight of its tragic history takes an emotional toll on her. Since her mom’s death from cancer, Harriet has also had trouble regulating her emotions, and when her “rage monster” shows up, she blacks out and loses control. Her temper has led her to distance herself even from those closest to her, but when a White actor buys the plantation next door—turning it into a wedding venue—Harriet needs help from friends. First, a celebrity wedding is scheduled and then her prom is booked there. Harriet decides to use social media to fight back and spread the truth about plantations. McWilliams’ portrayal of grief is well written and appropriately nuanced; readers will feel angry and sad and will cheer for Harriet all at the same time. The book’s confrontation of the romanticization of plantations and present-day medical neglect of the Black community is not only important, but necessary.

An emotional exploration of the continued impact America’s racist history has on contemporary society. (author’s note) (Fiction. 12-18)

Product Details

BN ID: 2940176510799
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Publication date: 05/02/2023
Edition description: Unabridged
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