52 pages • 1 hour read
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384
Novel • Fiction
Contemporary
2021
YA
13-17 years
White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson tells the suspenseful story of a family who moves to a small town where they encounter strange occurrences and unsettling secrets. The plot centers on a young girl navigating personal challenges while uncovering dark mysteries in her new home.
Mysterious
Unnerving
Suspenseful
Dark
Emotional
White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson is lauded for its masterful blend of psychological thriller and horror, engaging readers with a gripping narrative and well-developed characters. Critics praise Jackson's exploration of social issues, though some find the pacing uneven. Overall, it’s considered a compelling read with a fresh, thought-provoking approach.
Ideal readers for Tiffany D. Jackson's White Smoke are teens and young adults who enjoy psychological thrillers with elements of social issues, horror, and suspense. Fans of Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give and Laurie Halse Anderson's Wintergirls would find similar thematic depth and riveting storytelling in this novel.
Sammy
Marigold’s younger brother who is bright and curious; he believes their new house is haunted and shows loyalty to Marigold through shared adventures and protectiveness.
Piper
Alec's 10-year-old daughter and Marigold's stepsister; initially an antagonist, she is a complex character who deals with trauma and secretly helps individuals within the community.
Yusef Brown
A high-school junior and resident of Maplewood with an interest in gardening; he forms a complicated relationship with Marigold, reflecting both empathy and disagreement.
Ms. Suga (Carmen Peoples)
A community figure who once refused to sell her home, leading to conflict; she resides secretly in Marigold’s house and contributes to mysterious events in the narrative.
Jon Jon Peoples
Carmen’s son, who is falsely portrayed negatively by the community's narrative but later seen in a more sympathetic light as he works to rectify the past.
Mr. Sterling
Leader of the Sterling Foundation; he plays a critical role in the narrative's exploration of gentrification and is involved in deepening community tensions.
Raquel Anderson-Green
A Black writer and devoted mother to Marigold and Sammy; she moves the family to Cedarville for a residency and navigates the challenges of a blended family.
Alec Anderson-Green
Piper’s father and Marigold's stepfather; a white financial analyst striving for family unity while managing internal biases and misunderstandings.
384
Novel • Fiction
Contemporary
2021
YA
13-17 years
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