This Side of Home by Renee Watson (Contemporary Fiction)

This Side of Home by Renee Watson

Maya and Nicki are named after two of their mother's favorite poets. And their father is a community activist, always helping somewhere and someone, many of them Maya and Nicki's friends. Maya has always loved her neighborhood, but over the last four or so years, there have been changes. Many that Nicki seems to embrace, but ones that have Maya concerned. After all, how does one feel when the white people who once fled an area, now decide it is okay to start putting up speciality shops and landlords who decide they don't want to rent anymore, but would rather sell a home that Maya's best friend Essence has lived in her whole life - just across the street?

And how is Maya supposed to feel when Nicki befriends the new white family that moves into Essences' old home? But when Maya begins talking with Tony, a senior in her class is is part of that white family across the street, her conflicted feelings only grow as she realizes she really likes him. 

Recommended for grades 8 and up.