“Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult is a powerful novel that tackles issues of race, privilege, and justice. It centers on Ruth Jefferson, a Black labor and delivery nurse who is ordered not to touch the newborn of white supremacist parents. When the baby goes into cardiac distress while Ruth is briefly alone with him, she hesitates—an action that leads to her being charged with a serious crime. As Ruth faces trial, she is represented by a white public defender forced to confront her own biases. The novel explores moral complexity and systemic racism through a gripping courtroom drama and deeply human characters.”

The author presents us with all kinds of characters: Ruth, who is a Black woman; Kennedy, a white public defender who does not view herself as racist; and Turk, a white supremacist. We get to follow along and see why they believe what they believe and why they are living the lives that they are. The reader isn’t only confronted with their own beliefs, but we also see the characters being confronted, which was unique to me. I often see readers being challenged, but rarely do the characters face the same level of confrontation.

There were little instances here and there where the characters would say or think something that annoyed me, but I had to remind myself that it is completely realistic for someone in these situations to think these things. These characters may not be lovable, but they are extremely real and provide a glimpse into how race is viewed by different groups in the United States. 

At first, I really didn’t know what to think of the atmosphere and whether it actually played any part in the story. When I first heard about this book on social media, I pictured it taking place in the South, where racism is typically depicted in works of fiction. However, when I actually started reading the book, I realized that it is set in New Haven, Connecticut, a town in New England and home to an Ivy League school. That’s not typically the location you would think of for a story like this, and I think that really highlights the fact that racism is prevalent everywhere. It can happen in Georgia, it can happen in Connecticut, and it can occur in a Walmart or a hospital. You could see people with Confederate flags in their yards and attending white supremacist rallies in a state that wasn’t even part of the Confederacy. Racism is everywhere in the United States and the world.

I will admit that I was initially intimidated by the writing style. There is an extreme amount of research put into this book, which is crucial for a white woman telling a story about racism, systemic injustice, and inequality in this country. She spoke with different Black individuals and even some college presidents of historically Black colleges. She even interviewed reformed white supremacists who now spread anti-hate messages to get the lingo down for how a white supremacist would talk.

Additionally, there are details like Ruth being a labor and delivery nurse, and we see all the little aspects involved in taking care of a baby and the mother after birth. Most of us have hopefully never experienced being put on trial, but again, we see the depth of research that Jodi Picoult, the writer, put into that. Even the seemingly small details, like making a Big Mac—who knew the amount of research a writer would need to do for something like that?

As I stated before, I was initially scared when I started the book and encountered all the medical terms in the labor and delivery unit. Thankfully, though, the author does an excellent job of explaining everything, allowing you to gain a real understanding of what you’re reading. You’re never left feeling confused.

As I mentioned before, this book is a confrontation—a confrontation for white people who don’t necessarily see themselves as racist or biased. I know that when I recommend this book to a lot of people, they’re going to feel uncomfortable with it. I even worry that some of them will read it and still not recognize the issues, feeling too entrenched in their beliefs to come out of it. But, as the author notes, she spoke with skinheads who are now part of groups educating people against hate, and if they can change, then anyone can.

One of the quotes from the author’s note is, “I wrote it because I believed it was the right thing to do, and because the things that make us uncomfortable are the things that teach us what we all need to know.” Let me tell you, you see that with all of the characters in this book, and you will even see it in yourself and your community afterwards. Obviously, systemic racism is the main theme of this book, but there are other themes as well, such as nature versus nurture, and the importance of the beliefs we instill in our children as parents. It’s crucial to ensure that we are teaching them the right values, making sure they step forward in the right direction.

Being a parent itself might even be a confrontation as you observe the path your child is taking. It really makes you take a step back and reflect on yourself, as your child can serve as a mirror of you. It prompts you to second-guess some things. While we may not be able to change systemic racism today, we need to instill awareness in our children and, consequently, in ourselves so that hopefully it can be dismantled in the future. However, is there really a future without racism? That’s another discussion that Ruth and Kennedy have in the book.

I’d also like to include the last quote of the novel: “I hold my daughter’s hand—or maybe she holds mine—like we are at an intersection, and it’s my job to take her safely to the other side.” I think that beautifully describes the theme of parenting in this book. I recommend this book to everyone; I believe it should be required reading for adults in this country. Please, please, please pick up this book. I followed along with the audiobook and had a great experience with that as well.

5 out of 5 stars.