52 pages 1 hour read

White Smoke

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2021

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Book Brief

Tiffany D. Jackson

White Smoke

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2021
Book Details
Pages

384

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Contemporary

Publication Year

2021

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

13-17 years

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Super Short Summary

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

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

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.

Who should read this

Who Should Read White Smoke?

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.

Character List

Marigold Anderson-Green

The Black teenage protagonist who moves with her family to Cedarville; she grapples with anxiety, addiction, and supernatural elements while trying to adapt to a new environment and school.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Leader of the Sterling Foundation; he plays a critical role in the narrative's exploration of gentrification and is involved in deepening community tensions.

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.

Piper’s father and Marigold's stepfather; a white financial analyst striving for family unity while managing internal biases and misunderstandings.

Book Details
Pages

384

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Contemporary

Publication Year

2021

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

13-17 years

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