There aren't a whole lot of YA books based on historical figures, so I was happy when I came across one! Read my review below...
Ida, in Love and in Trouble
By Veronica Chambers
Young Adult Historical Fiction, Romance
Audiobook, Hardcover & eBook, 400 Pages
September 10, 2024 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Summary
For fans of Bridgerton and The Davenports comes a sweeping historical novel from bestselling author Veronica Chambers about courageous (and flirtatious) Ida B. Wells as she navigates society parties and society prejudices to become a civil rights crusader.
Before she became a warrior, Ida B. Wells was an incomparable flirt with a quick wit and a dream of becoming a renowned writer. The first child of newly freed parents who thrived in a community that pulsated with hope and possibility after the Civil War, Ida had a big heart, big ambitions, and even bigger questions: How to be a good big sister when her beloved parents perish in a yellow fever epidemic? How to launch her career as a teacher? How to make and keep friends in a society that seems to have no place for a woman who speaks her own mind? And – always top of mind for Ida – how to find a love that will let her be the woman she dreams of becoming?
Ahead of her time by decades, Ida B. Wells pioneered the field of investigative journalism with her powerful reporting on violence against African Americans. Her name became synonymous with courage and an unflinching demand for racial and gender equality. But there were so many facets to Ida Bell and critically acclaimed writer Veronica Chambers unspools her full and colorful life as Ida comes of age in the rapidly changing South, filled with lavish society dances and parties, swoon-worthy gentleman callers, and a world ripe for the taking.
Content Warning: death of parents, racism, sexism
IDA, IN LOVE AND IN TROUBLE is the fictionalized historical story of Ida B. Wells as she grows into a young woman and a voice in journalism for civil rights. Lots of historical facts including letters and published pieces from Ida's life are included. Recommended to history lovers and those who want to know more about this powerful woman.
I found this story to be an insightful look at life for a young African American during this time period and in Ida's everyday life. She has a lot of decisions to make as she grows into a young woman in her mid 20s. She faces a lot of challenges as a child of slavery, a woman, and an African American. She has so much passion for her people. She wants to make a difference and be heard. She wants to learn about everything and develop her intellect. She wants to be a wife and have a family, but not have that diminish her influence in journalism and pushing forward civil rights. The story shares her letters and different articles she writes. It also makes note of what is going on in the country at the time and life in Memphis where Ida mostly lives. Readers learn about her various beaus, a bit about her family, and her struggle to find her place.
I did have a tough time with this story. I felt like there were lots of little info dumps. The letters and factual information about Ida weren't weaved through the story as well as I would have liked. The chapters didn't all have notes about how much time took place between each of them. There was no emotional drive, especially one connecting the story from beginning to end. It felt like each chapter was its own segment and I felt like it was all very disconnected. I didn't feel immersed in the story so that I was able to experience her life with her. Instead, it felt like I was being told her story and given historical facts. Ida brings her younger sister to live with her and then she's practically never mentioned afterwards, which again, felt very disconnected. The romance was there but the guys didn't really have unique voices and there was not emotional attachment or chemistry you could feel. Readers are just told what happens and how Ida feels. Ida is mostly in her young to mid 20s, so she's older and on her own. As the audience is YA, I don't know that it's a good fit for the age group. I think if you already know about and love her and you want to eat up everything known about her, then you might enjoy this. I just wanted a lot more. Instead, I mostly felt bored no matter how much I desired to want to learn more about her and feel inspired by her story.
In the end, was it what I wished for? If you're looking for more details about everyday life for this historical figure, a figure who you already love, then you should enjoy this story. Or I'd recommend reading a chapter here and there to learn more about her. Recommended more to historical nonfiction and fiction readers who aren't looking for a page-turner.
Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy through TBR & Beyond Tours, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Veronica Chambers is an author and currently a writer/editor for The New York Times. Born in Panama and raised in Brooklyn, her work often reflects her Afro-Latina heritage. She’s written the acclaimed memoir, Mama’s Girl which has been course adopted by hundreds of high schools and colleges throughout the country. She has also authored several children’s books including the NYT bestselling Finish the Fight, Call and Response, Shirley Chisholm Is a Verb and The Go-Between.
Before she became a warrior, Ida B. Wells was an incomparable flirt with a quick wit and a dream of becoming a renowned writer. The first child of newly freed parents who thrived in a community that pulsated with hope and possibility after the Civil War, Ida had a big heart, big ambitions, and even bigger questions: How to be a good big sister when her beloved parents perish in a yellow fever epidemic? How to launch her career as a teacher? How to make and keep friends in a society that seems to have no place for a woman who speaks her own mind? And – always top of mind for Ida – how to find a love that will let her be the woman she dreams of becoming?
Ahead of her time by decades, Ida B. Wells pioneered the field of investigative journalism with her powerful reporting on violence against African Americans. Her name became synonymous with courage and an unflinching demand for racial and gender equality. But there were so many facets to Ida Bell and critically acclaimed writer Veronica Chambers unspools her full and colorful life as Ida comes of age in the rapidly changing South, filled with lavish society dances and parties, swoon-worthy gentleman callers, and a world ripe for the taking.
Content Warning: death of parents, racism, sexism
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My Review
IDA, IN LOVE AND IN TROUBLE is the fictionalized historical story of Ida B. Wells as she grows into a young woman and a voice in journalism for civil rights. Lots of historical facts including letters and published pieces from Ida's life are included. Recommended to history lovers and those who want to know more about this powerful woman.
I found this story to be an insightful look at life for a young African American during this time period and in Ida's everyday life. She has a lot of decisions to make as she grows into a young woman in her mid 20s. She faces a lot of challenges as a child of slavery, a woman, and an African American. She has so much passion for her people. She wants to make a difference and be heard. She wants to learn about everything and develop her intellect. She wants to be a wife and have a family, but not have that diminish her influence in journalism and pushing forward civil rights. The story shares her letters and different articles she writes. It also makes note of what is going on in the country at the time and life in Memphis where Ida mostly lives. Readers learn about her various beaus, a bit about her family, and her struggle to find her place.
I did have a tough time with this story. I felt like there were lots of little info dumps. The letters and factual information about Ida weren't weaved through the story as well as I would have liked. The chapters didn't all have notes about how much time took place between each of them. There was no emotional drive, especially one connecting the story from beginning to end. It felt like each chapter was its own segment and I felt like it was all very disconnected. I didn't feel immersed in the story so that I was able to experience her life with her. Instead, it felt like I was being told her story and given historical facts. Ida brings her younger sister to live with her and then she's practically never mentioned afterwards, which again, felt very disconnected. The romance was there but the guys didn't really have unique voices and there was not emotional attachment or chemistry you could feel. Readers are just told what happens and how Ida feels. Ida is mostly in her young to mid 20s, so she's older and on her own. As the audience is YA, I don't know that it's a good fit for the age group. I think if you already know about and love her and you want to eat up everything known about her, then you might enjoy this. I just wanted a lot more. Instead, I mostly felt bored no matter how much I desired to want to learn more about her and feel inspired by her story.
In the end, was it what I wished for? If you're looking for more details about everyday life for this historical figure, a figure who you already love, then you should enjoy this story. Or I'd recommend reading a chapter here and there to learn more about her. Recommended more to historical nonfiction and fiction readers who aren't looking for a page-turner.
Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy through TBR & Beyond Tours, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
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Are you a fan of historical romances or historical fiction based on historical figures? Would you want to be a woman in this time period?
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