Identity, Friendship, And Social Justice In Harbor Me By Jacqueline Woodson

RJ McAndrew

Mrs. Marten

English 9

27 feb 2023

Harbor Me, by Jacqueline Woodson, is a moving and insightful novel that explores themes of identity, friendship, and social justice. The novel follows six students from diverse backgrounds who are brought together for a weekly gathering, or "harbor," where they can share their stories and experiences with one another.

The students in the novel come from different racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Esteban is Puerto Rican and struggles with the fact that his father is in prison. Haley is white and has two dads, but she feels isolated and excluded because of it. Amari is African American and lives with his grandmother after his parents are deported. Tiago is from the Dominican Republic and is still learning

They learn to see each other as individuals with unique stories and experiences, rather than just representatives of their respective communities. Through their conversations, they also begin to understand the inequalities that affect them and their families.

One of the central themes of Harbor Me is the importance of sharing one's story. Throughout the novel, the students learn that telling their own stories can help them understand themselves better, as well as build empathy and understanding with others. They also learn that sharing their stories can be an act of resistance against the forces that try to silence and marginalize them.

Another important theme in Harbor Me is the idea that friendship and communication can help us overcome our struggles. This is a very similar theme to a story we read and a movie we watched earlier in the year called Romeo and Juliet. The students in the novel all have difficult experiences and challenges to face, but they find strength in each other's company. They learn that they are not alone in their struggles, and that there is power in coming together and supporting one