Jessa Is Back by Stacia Moffett really hit home for me. Jessa’s return to Tennessee after living in Oregon feels like stepping into two different worlds. Her fight for racial equality and friendships across barriers reminded me of the struggles I’ve seen in navigating cultural differences. The way Jessa challenges the town’s segregation mirrors how standing up for change isn’t easy, but necessary. It’s inspiring and made me think about the courage it takes to break old prejudices.

Sequel to The Missing Girl. Jessa is back in her hometown to confirm who she will be living with and to fulfill
fer father's dream of music classes in the school. She deals with the segregation that still exists in the town,
meeting resistance and hostility. Things still haven't returned to normal since a black man was a suspect in her
disappearance six months ago. Story shows how much Jessa has grown and her newfound awareness of the
inequalities from racial equality affect all.
#JessaIsBack #PeanutbutterPublishing #BlackChateur #Stacia Moffett #NetGalley

Jessa is Back is an absolute gem! From the very first page, I was hooked. This beautifully crafted novel takes you on an emotional rollercoaster as Jessa returns to her hometown, where unresolved heartache and buried secrets await her.

I find Jessa's newfound courage and determination to advocate for justice are inspiring. And I think Stacia Moffett beautifully captures the era’s challenges, while showing how personal experiences shape our beliefs. It’s a thought-provoking, emotional story about standing up for what’s right, no matter the cost.

If you liked The Missing Girl, this one’s even more powerful. Stacia continues Jessa’s journey, but now she’s returned to her small Southern town with new perspectives from Oregon. Her fight for racial equality and integration in the 1950s South hits hard, especially as she challenges outdated norms. I think Stacia does a great job showing how Jessa has matured and become more outspoken. It’s a story about personal growth, justice, and breaking barriers. I enjoyed this book same as the 1st one.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

This is a sequel to The Missing Girl by the same author, after the protagonist returns to Oregon with her family from Tennessee in the 1950s. Oregon is much different, and Jessa has a black friend in her integrated school, but, alas, she learns that racism is alive and well in Oregon too.

During the summer, her family returns to Tennessee, where she is welcomed by her friends and friends of the family. She attempts to continue her father’s dream of introducing a music program into the black school. She has a lot of opposition there, but gets an interracial Music in the Park program started. It is popular with most of the population, yet there are white supremists who create havoc, and bad feelings. Sentenced to community service, they unwittingly have freed up enough money that the music program in the black school can start!

Set in the time of Jim Crow laws and customs, with segregation on the chopping block from recent Supreme Court rulings and changing societal attitudes, the book written for preteens brings many of the old problems of racism and segregation to light. Even in this era when there are renewed calls for keeping races separate and rolling back many of the laws prohibiting discrimination, the generation of people who will be voting within the next decade needs to understand where it all leads.

The novel’s rich character development and historical context create a compelling narrative that resonates with contemporary readers. Jessa’s journey is both inspiring and poignant as she navigates the challenges of pushing for change in a society resistant to it. I feel that Jessa Is Back is a powerful and thought-provoking read, perfect for anyone interested in historical fiction that addresses social justice with depth and empathy.

I loved the first book in this series, so I couldn't wait to dive into the second one—and it did not disappoint! Jessa’s journey back to her hometown, with her new perspective on racial issues, really resonated with me. Her courage to stand up for what’s right, even when it’s tough, was so inspiring. This book made me reflect on our progress and the challenges we still face today as a society. It’s a powerful, unforgettable read that I absolutely loved.