Segregation is Just Plain Stupid - an Editorial Review of "Jessa is Back"

Book Blurb:

Viewed through the eyes of a young white girl, segregation was ubiquitous and unquestioned, but once Jessa’s experience with the Oregon integrated school system allows her to become friends with a Negro girl, she realizes that segregation is “just plain stupid.” Jessa wants her town to provide music instruction not only for the white kids, but for the overlooked colored kids, too. While she becomes a gadfly to the school board, her interactions with other members of her town precipitate crises that uncover support for her position as well as staunch opposition. In the end, Jessa fights for interracial friendships, and the people of the fictional Town of Radford cannot help but respond to her message. This is a story that reverberates powerfully into our present.

Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/zEz2Vbn

Author Bio:

 I was born and grew up in Tennessee, and when I retired from a career in teaching and research in biology, I chose to write about my memories of Tennessee, despite the fact that I was living a cinematic life in a wild canyon of the Snake River in eastern Washington State.

 All through my life, dogs have been central to my family, so it was necessary that a dog be central to my writing -- and there had to be a stubborn girl….

 As I wrote about the 1950’s in Tennessee, it became increasingly apparent to me that there were important parallels between life in the 1950’s and in America today. Despite the tendency to look back at the 1950’s as a “golden age,” closer examination would reveal the scourge of Jim Crow and the overall repression characteristic of the cultural norms of the day.

 I wanted to make a small town in Tennessee come to life for my readers so that they could see the devastating impact that white supremacy and segregation had on people’s lives, and therefore look again at current events and the harm that resurgence of such thinking will have on society.

Editorial Review:

As the train sped along the tracks into Tennessee, Jessa rested her cheek against the cool window. Six months ago, she and Cassie had traveled west with her mother’s cousin, admiring the deserts, mountains, rivers, and plains. In Oregon, everything had been new and exciting, but now, returning home, it was the Tennessee landscape that stirred her to tears. She hadn’t realized how much she had missed her native countryside. The lazy brown rivers draped with grapevines and kudzu, the lush green cornfields and pastures, the red clay and stratified limestone in the road cuts, the familiar hardwood trees— they all welcomed her like family.

In her moving and impactful follow-up, Jessa Is Back, Stacia Moffett explores the intricacies of racial integration, individual development, and social transformation in the American South. Returning to her hometown in Tennessee is more than just a homecoming for Jessa; it's a reckoning. She now sees her birthplace through a different lens, one that painfully highlights the iniquities of Jim Crow practices, after having gone through integrated education in Oregon. As Jessa becomes a force for change in a town that is hostile to reform, this historical fiction book presents an engaging story that is both thought-provoking and inspirational.

Moffett does a fantastic job of grabbing readers' attention right away. Jessa's return is built up in the opening scene with a mixture of determination, trepidation, and nostalgia. We are engaged from the start because of the author's ability to introduce the novel's themes and stakes right away. As someone very family with Tennessee, I loved the accuracy of the writing as it sets the scene.

One is captivated by Moffett's emotionally stirring tale from the very first page. As she tackles long-standing racial divisions and advocates music instruction in the educational system, Jessa's path is one of self-discovery and advocacy. The reader is kept interested by the tension created by her contacts with the locals, who range from those who strongly disagree with her vision to others who embrace it. The book skillfully strikes a balance between individual concerns and more general society problems, making sure that the narrative is profoundly moving without ever coming across as preachy.

We get a flawless reading experience from the book’s expertly done formatting and editing. There weren’t any typos or grammatical errors to pull you out of the story or distract you. With chapters that flow naturally and dialogue that seems genuine, the pacing is kept in check. With its vivid imagery and emotionally charged encounters, Moffett's evocative and straightforward style transports readers to 1950s Tennessee.

One of the best parts of the book is Jessa's journey from a sheltered young woman to a fearless campaigner. She is a sympathetic and motivational heroine because of the nuanced portrayal of her personal and external challenges. The villagers who either oppose or support her endeavor, as well as her Oregon family who give her confidence, are all well-developed supporting characters. Her bond with a Black kid from Oregon is particularly poignantly portrayed, demonstrating how connections can alter viewpoints and spur change.

“Yessir. I recall talking with them,” said Marvin. “Pretty suspicious about you folks. Thought you were Jessa’s kidnappers! I had to calm them down.”

Jacob said grimly, “Everyone was looking under every bush for kidnappers around here.” He let the hood fall and slid into the driver’s seat to start it up. The blue and white Oldsmobile’s powerful engine hummed. Marvin opened the garage doors widely and Jacob backed the car out. “You can drive both cars to Landsdowne this afternoon, return the rental, and drive home in this one.”

“Oh, I knew this would be a problem!” wailed Karen. “I’m afraid I don’t drive. Fran offered to help us get the car, but she volunteers at the clinic and isn’t free until tomorrow.”

As a follow-up to The Missing Girl, the book builds on the ideas of social justice and individual agency while preserving Jessa's character growth. This new part of her story skillfully incorporates the racial tensions that resulted from her prior disappearance and its aftereffects. The development and new difficulties that Jessa encounters will be appreciated by readers who followed her journey in the first book.

Without giving away any plot points or spoilers, the book has a realistic yet hopeful conclusion. Even while Jessa's actions don't instantly fix every social problem, her bravery and tenacity set the stage for future advancement. Readers are left feeling both satisfied and inspired to consider the wider ramifications of her story by the well-earned denouement.

There aren't many historical fiction books that sensitively and deeply address the relationship between racial integration and music education. Moffett's decision to make music the focal point of Jessa's advocacy gives the narrative a special depth and demonstrates how art can unite disparate groups. The story offers a unique viewpoint on small-town opposition to change that is also universally applicable.

Moffett writes in an approachable and poetic style. She expertly conveys the atmosphere of 1950s Tennessee while preserving the story's emotional appeal, making the reader feel the weight of history. She does an excellent job of balancing historical veracity with compelling narrative, and her descriptions are vivid and her dialogue flows effortlessly.

Again, by welcoming Jacob and Eddie into their home, they were breaking rules that had bound her behavior her whole life. She found her heart swelling with amazement because it didn’t hurt at all. Furthermore, Jack was obviously enjoying himself as a member of the work team, and that was what mattered most to her. While they ate the oatmeal cookies, Michael brought up the plan for camping. “Dad, Jessa told me it’s okay to talk about the hollow tree, now, because she never needs to run away to it again.” Fran slid into the empty chair. “Oh, tell me— I want to hear about this tree!”

From early awareness to aggressive resistance and, finally, to a greater comprehension of the difficulties of societal change, Jessa's journey follows a clearly defined arc. The novel's themes of bravery, resilience, and the strength of individual action are all reinforced by the emotionally charged and rewarding ending.

The brilliantly written and provocative book Jessa Is Back tells the story of a young lady who challenges the status quo and her victories. Fans of historical fiction and small-town stories should not miss Stacia Moffett's story, which is both historically significant and intensely personal. Jessa's tale serves as a reminder that change is possible despite resistance since it is one of courage, heart, and hope.

5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company and the “Highly Recommended” award of excellence

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