Rating: 
Summary: Mrs. Bailey-Williams Did It This Time!
Review: One piece of advice to anyone who loves reading or not: buy 'A Little Piece of Sky.' It's great for any age. As soon as I read it, I told all my friends and even my parents loved it! It is an excellente story of how growing up can be. Some of us can relate to that. I'm blessed to have Mrs. B-W as a teacher although the year is ending. As soon as you read this you'll be waiting for her next book!
Rating: 
Summary: When hope isn't enough
Review: As a forewarning to readers who decide to pick up Nicole Bailey-William's A Little Piece of Sky: this is not your average piece of fiction. The 155 page book is centered on the troubled female character named Song Byrd, and the novel is put together in much the same lyrical and poetic way as the character's name. The chapters are short, metaphorically deep, snack-sized morsels that the reader is treated to as they read about Song's struggle to overcome the ghetto of Philadelphia that has made her who she is. The title of the book comes into play when Song divulges to the reader that her mother, who birthed four children from four different men, used to lock Song into the roach infested bathroom of their apartment when her mother was unable to attain a babysitter. Song would look up to the sky as a symbol of hope and day dream to pass the time away. A tragic event occurs, which rattles Song's foundation and makes her decide to never look up ever again. Fast forward many years later and Song is a graduate of Spelman College with a great job giving back to the community and a man who adores her, but she's still holding on desperately to her past. Despite her personal uplifting experience of no longer relaxing her hair and the education she has under her belt, there are many old issues of hope and self-esteem that she has to struggle through before she can truly move on with her life. Works of fiction of this sort are great for those who are looking for a profound, triumphant story. This novel does not skimp on major issues like classism, race, intra-racism, and the power of the human spirit to overcome. This should be required reading for every woman of color before heading off for higher learning. Anna R.E.A.L. Reviewers
Rating:
Summary: Enchanting...
Review: A Little Piece Of Sky, from the title to the text works. It is the story of Song Byrd from childhood to adulthood. It speaks of Song's tribulations and triumphs in a heartfelt connected way. The story poignantly expresses how the trajedy of our past can still haunt our present and hinder our futures if not for hope. Song's hope came from seeing her life without limits through, A Little Piece of Sky. My only reason for giving 4 stars instead of 5 was because the book had to end. I really wanted more. The author's writing was so good and intriguing that I would have loved to have read this as a full blown novel with more details. I so look forward to this author's next piece of work.
Rating:
Summary: A Little Piece of Sky
Review: Mrs Bailey-Williams really out did herslf with this novel. Speaking as a teenager I felt that this story is realistic. Song has been through many trials and tribulation just like many other teenagers,but she made the best out of her situation. This book is a ray of hope for teenagers who are going through hard times in their lives. This was an excellent novel I strongly recommend this novel for people ages 15 and up
Rating: 
Summary: Average book - More like poetry - hated the Spanish
Review: The book had it's moments. It's not very in depth at all. Its more of poetry than a novel. It beats around the bush. Chapters that are one page long. Such a short book. Also I don't understand spanish and hated her usage of spanish all throughout the book. It's annoying not to know what the people are saying. She could at least have followed up the spanish with the english translation in parenthesis. Average book.
Rating:
Summary: We Shall Overcome
Review: While structurally different and small in stature, A Piece of Sky by Nicole Bailey-Williams is a poignant novel of a young girl's pain, guilt and survival. Song Byrd is the youngest, illegitimate daughter of a prostitute. Included in this family are three older siblings with their own demons. In addition to her family, A Little Piece of Sky reveals the relationships that Song has with others such as her neighbor, Mrs. Olga and her biological father. It is through them and their offerings that Song comes into her own. Told in Song's voice, the chapters are titled after her thoughts while giving the reader a look into her life. Two chapters that really stood out were "I Wish." Song wished that she were not poor; that she lived in a better neighborhood with less noise, but for some reason unbeknownst to Song, her mother needed the noise. Song's ultimate wish was that she would be enough for her mother. The other captivating chapter was "A Little Piece of Sky." Representing Song's hope for a better future, this chapter captured the essence of Song's pain in which she vowed never to look up at the sky again. Each chapter is lyrically written and tells a hopeful story of Song while exposing some character revelations. Add to the fact the social and economic commentary throughout and you have a wonderfully written story of a young girl's life in a low-income section of Philadelphia followed by her life as a middle income resident and the transition that followed. Beautiful! Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
APOOO BookClub
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Summary: Amazing what happens with alittle bit of LOVE
Review: This was a good book. Song Byrd has been dealt a crummy set of cards. But with a neighbor who showed her some attention and love she was able to
over come all of her adversities. I would have liked to see more definition with the characters
and to read the plot of the story alittle more intense. I do recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Triumphant!!
Review: This is one of the most beautiful books I've read in a while. Nicole Bailey-Williams has done what all of the "big time" authors can't seem to manage and that is to tell a complete story with very few words. She left out all of the unnecessary discriptive stuff and just concentrated on the heart of the story which is the evolution of a young girl surrounded by tragedy and darkness who grew up to eventually create her own light. This moving story of Song Byrd is magnificent and left me wanting more. For anyone who not only enjoys a good story, but beautiful writing as well, this is a wonderful selection.
Rating:
Summary: ULTIMATE SATISFACTION
Review: I enjoyed this novel, immensely. The most effective factor was the short vignettes (chapters) they were descriptive and full of detail and emotion. I loved it !!! I am an instant fan and can't wait for her next endeavor.
Rating:
Summary: Poetic Story of Resilience
Review: A Little Piece of Sky tells the story of Song Byrd. Song takes a cautious look back over her life, starting with her earliest relationships and in doing so we read a story of triumph. Song deals with an emotionally unavailable mother and later she struggles with the guilt she feels as a result of her mother's death. When her mother dies, she has to live with her father and his wife and adjust to a completely new, but healthier existence. Unfortunately, the scars of the early part of her life don't just disappear and her half sister and brother are additional reminders of the life she left behind. Even as an adult, Song continues to try to heal her wounds and make a life for herself and recover her lost self esteem. The sky is an important theme in this book and it represents hope. As Song shares her story it becomes clear that just a little bit of hope is often enough to carry a person through the most difficult circumstances. Nicole Bailey-Williams has made a grand entrance into the literary scene with this spectacular novel. She does an excellent job drawing the reader into Song's world and making them share in her experiences through the short passages of prose. While the format of this book is different from the norm, the author's mixture of literary style and prose proved to be just the right recipe for a stellar debut. Reviewed by Stacey Seay
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