#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - With richly layered characters and a gripping moral dilemma that will lead readers to question everything they know about privilege, power, and race, Small Great Things is the stunning new page-turner from Jodi Picoult.

SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE

" Picoult] offers a thought-provoking examination of racism in America today, both overt and subtle. Her many readers will find much to discuss in the pages of this topical, moving book."--Booklist (starred review)

Ruth Jefferson is a labor and delivery nurse at a Connecticut hospital with more than twenty years' experience. During her shift, Ruth begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be told a few minutes later that she's been reassigned to another patient. The parents are white supremacists and don't want Ruth, who is African American, to touch their child. The hospital complies with their request, but the next day, the baby goes into cardiac distress while Ruth is alone in the nursery. Does she obey orders or does she intervene?

Ruth hesitates before performing CPR and, as a result, is charged with a serious crime. Kennedy McQuarrie, a white public defender, takes her case but gives unexpected advice: Kennedy insists that mentioning race in the courtroom is not a winning strategy. Conflicted by Kennedy's counsel, Ruth tries to keep life as normal as possible for her family--especially her teenage son--as the case becomes a media sensation. As the trial moves forward, Ruth and Kennedy must gain each other's trust, and come to see that what they've been taught their whole lives about others--and themselves--might be wrong.

With incredible empathy, intelligence, and candor, Jodi Picoult tackles race, privilege, prejudice, justice, and compassion--and doesn't offer easy answers. Small Great Things is a remarkable achievement from a writer at the top of her game.

Praise for Small Great Things

"Small Great Things is the most important novel Jodi Picoult has ever written. . . . It will challenge her readers . . . and] expand our cultural conversation about race and prejudice."--The Washington Post

"A novel that puts its finger on the very pulse of the nation that we live in today . . . a fantastic read from beginning to end, as can always be expected from Picoult, this novel maintains a steady, page-turning pace that makes it hard for readers to put down."--San Francisco Book Review

Item Information Item Information

Format: TradePaperback
Author: Picoult, Jodi
ISBN: 9780345544971
Condition: Used
Dimensions: 8.00 x 1.10
Number Of Pages: 528
Publication Year: 2018

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A Powerfully Moving Novel About Race

Kristen B. - 2 years ago

After Ruth, the African American labor and delivery nurse, is taken off the care of the newborn child of Turk, a new father, and white supremacist, the child unexpectedly passes away while Ruth is present. Turk decides that Ruth is at fault and presses charges against Ruth for murder. Kennedy McQuarrie, a white lawyer, takes on defending Ruth of murder and finds herself way in over her head. She quickly sees that there is a race issue here, but is hesitant to pursue that in court as it muddies the waters. Ruth, who has been dealing with racism her entire life, must decide whether it is worth it, to tell the truth about racism and possibly go to jail or just win the case. I've been reading a lot of books lately that deal with racism and I think that this is by far one of the best. This novel stands out in particular because it shows the same events from all three different points of view - a woman who is black, a man who is a white supremacist and a woman who is white, but does not see herself as racist. Something that I've heard a lot lately from author Lysa TerKeurst is that "hurt people hurt people." And this sentiment rings very true in Small Great Things, as it gets to the core of why these three people act the way they do and believe the things they do. It is a powerfully moving novel that will be a staple in personal libraries for years to come.
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Please read this book

Debbie B. - 5 years 6 months ago

Very insightful read in these times. It allowed me to start meaningful, non-threatening discussions with some insight, instead of total ignorance.
So glad my book club picked this!

Diana D. - 5 years 7 months ago

Excellent story telling without being preachy or condescending. Could not put it down!

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A Powerfully Moving Novel About Race

Please read this book

So glad my book club picked this!