Neecey's Lullaby by Cris Burks

Significance-
"Neecey's Lullaby" tells a story about a girl and how her life falls apart after her father, Jesse, left her, her siblings, and her mother for another woman. From the start, Ruby, Neecey's mother, is already known for being a high-tempered woman. After Jesse leaves, Ruby's actions become worse, hitting and yelling at her children. Not long after Jesse leaves, Ruby and the children end up living in poverty in a housing project. She ends up bringing suitors into her home, giving them all her time, leaving Neecey to learn how to take care of herself, as well as her siblings in such an early age. She learned how to endure her mother's physical and emotional abuse.
Neecey's Lullaby is a story that proves how much love can do. With Neecey's love for her siblings, she struggles to find the inner strength to succeed and go through her everyday life.

Perspective-
The book had plenty of characters coming in on every other chapter. However, most of the book is mostly told from the perspective of Neecey, a poor, young, African-American girl. A sister that took on the role of a father and a mother to her siblings, and follows her life as a coming of age story about a young girl who is forced into dealing with adult responsibilities.

Evidence-
Along with school, responsibilities, and Ruby's abusive ways, Neecey's struggle to remain strong and "undefeated" causes her to deal with everything on her own. With her undying character, she is able to give everything they're own mother cant provide them.

Connections-
Though I find that several events in the book, dont exactly occur in real life as much, I believe Neecey's unconditional love is something that is very much related to the real world. A lot of us surround AND are surrounded by people with the same love as Neecey to her family. That unconditional love causes us to be selfless and make sacrifices.

Supposition-
I believe this novel was well written, but could be VERY graphic for young readers, due to its brutal scenes. Nowadays, Neecey's experiences still occur to many people. I think about 3 or more happy scenes in the book would make the novel better. I think these "happy scenes" will elaborate the strong bond that the siblings have.