My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich

My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich
Ibi Zombie
Dutton, August, 2019 252 pages
Grades 4-7
Realistic/Historical Fiction

Ebony Grace is sent from rural Alabama, where she lives with her mother and grandfather, to her father's house in 1980's Harlem. Harlem might as well be another planet to this space-crazy girl who spends most of her time in her "Imagination Station". Thrown into a world of double-dutch, junkies, early hip-hop, and break dancing, Ebony Grace struggle to make friends with the neighborhood gaggle of girls, the 9 Flavas Crew, who refer to her as an "ice cream sandwich": dark on the outside, yet white on the inside. Ebony Grace misses her grandfather, who is her best friend. The two spent many hours watching sci-fi shows and making up space adventures. When she calls the NASA base on which Grandpa works, she is informed that he is no longer employed there? Where is he? And why can't she get in touch with him on the phone? Meanwhile, Dad tries to encourage Ebony grace to fit in with the neighborhood girls and the 9 Flavas agree to allow her to join them on a trial basis, only she needs to stop acting so weird all the time. A big rapping/dance competition in the neighborhood could lead the crew to another contest at the Apollo with costumes from Dapper Dan’s, only the DJ (Ebony Grace's father) won't let girls compete. Ebony Grace decides to take matters in her own hands and do something drastic--with surprising results.

Critically acclaimed teen writer, Zoboi, offers her first book for middle grade in this realistic blast-from-the-past. Many readers will relate to Ebony Grace's inability to fit in and confusion with social cues. Kids who live in their own "Imagination-Station" will be reassured that they are not alone and find courage from Ebony Grace's refusal to hide her light under a bushel. The glimpse into 1980's Harlem was very interesting and will appeal to adults who lived through it or kids who are interested in the birth of hip-hop and rap. Unfortunately, many of the cultural references will sail over the heads of young readers and the setting boarders on nostalgia. The true story behind the reason for Ebony Grace being sent away is unclear from the plot and I expected a bigger reveal. I was fortunate enough to hear the author speak about this book, so I walked into it having a better understanding of the plight of African American NASA engineers in the 1980's, but this is not fully explained within the framework of the story. I read an advanced review copy, so possibly the final copy will include an author's note upon its August release, fleshing out Grandpa's situation. Full-page black and white illustrations that appear to be ripped from a comic book are interspersed, representing what is happening inside Ebony Grace's head, which will entice readers to keep turning pages and give the story an added layer of interest. Ebony Grace is a true individual and will inspire readers to be themselves and to tap into their own imaginations, even if the world thinks you are weird. This message is worth the time spent reading and will help the novel find its audience.