My experience with Jodi Picoult's novels has been hit or miss. Small Great Things, however, was a home run and it stayed with me long after I put the book down.

Like many of Picoult's novels, Small Great Things is told from two perspectives. One is a white supremacist whose son has died and the other is the black nurse who was tending to the boy at the time of his demise. Both accounts are terribly difficult to read and Picoult has done an amazing job bringing both sides of the argument to life. There were times that I had no choice but to sympathize with a man over the loss of his son. Two pages later, I found myself repulsed by his words and actions. It was an intense read.

As always, Picoult has done her research. The medical facts and legal notes stick to reality relentlessly making for a powerful story. I applaud her for the digging she did into the White Supremacist psyche. I know that could not have been easy.

This is a book that cannot be ignored in this day and age. It's important to understand each other, even when the other side is spouting hate and nonsense, there is a human underneath the doctrine. I'm not expecting this book to change the world, but it certainly presents the human side of people that seem entirely un-human. This book is a must read across the board.

If you'v ever read a Jodi Picoult book before then you'll know what I mean when I say this feels like it was written by her. This is not a good or bad thing, simply an acknowledgement that all of her books have a particular style and formula they follow.
Ultimately this book feels exactly what it is, an intro to modern racism for white people. Which is important and has a place, but if you're someone who is actually aware that racism exists(and I don't just mean KKK style racism, but more subtle bias and institutional racism), you'll probably feel bored and annoyed by the main character's journey and insights/revelations.

I started this book and then put it down. for a long time. It's long. It's slow and quite drawn out.

The blurb had very much pulled me in depicting a black labor and delivery nurse being accused of murdering an infant by a white supremacist couple.

I have only ever read My Sister's Keeper and was ready to take this book on because I had enjoyed Picoult in the past. However, this book just wasn't for me. It's obvious most people have liked this book and it holds a great message and the writing is great.... but that's the extent of the positives for me.

When I pick up a book by Jodi Picoult, I have certain expectations. I want to be challenged by a moral dilemma and I expect a thoughtful, well written novel. I have these high expectations because more times than not that's what I'm given. Small Great Things is no exception. An exceptional novel about race, family, and justice. The character of Ruth rang true. I was skeptical at first, but Picoult nailed it.

I am a huge fan of Jodi Picoult's writing, but this one was hard for me to become interested in. Once I had read a few chapters, the pace picked up and I was invested in the story and the lives of the characters. One thing I love and could always count on in Jodi's books are the surprise endings. Unfortunately, I was able to figure out what was coming in this book. I have never been able to do that in one of her books previously.
Ruth was one of the most likable characters and she was "real". She did not pull any punches. She is an excellent nurse, according to all her colleagues and former patients, and she takes pride in her work. So when she was pulled from nursing duty for a couple who had just delivered their firstborn, a son, she is furious. The father makes no attempt to hide his racist tattoos and his rude behavior. Ruth is raising her teenage son alone and she is worried how this will effect him and she wants him to stay on path towards college. Ruth and her attorney, Kennedy, are not too sure about each other. They butt heads quite a few times, but Ruth has to trust Kennedy to save her from a prison sentence. Kennedy doesn't want race to be brought into the case at all, as she insists that it has nothing to do with the case and will poison the jury against Ruth. So will they come to an agreement? Is Ruth headed for prison? Who will care for her son if she's locked up? He just has to go to college, and Ruth insists on this.
It is truly shocking to think that there are actually people still behaving as though we still have slavery and hating people of different races, cultures, religions, and sexual orientation. It is also shocking that these racist people hate enough to hurt and kill to express their hatred. Jodi did bring attention to issues that we are still dealing with and need desperately to end.
I rated this book 4 stars and highly recommend it to readers.
I received a copy of this book from netgalley and I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Great book that shows three different experiences with racism: a white supremacist, a Black nurse, and a white lawyer. These three people have very distinct POVs and we alternate between them. I found this a powerful way to give the reader - particularly white readers - an up-close view of both micro and macro aggressions that people of color deal with many times a day.

I was totally on board with the book until close to the end when a major choice of the Black nurse seemed out of character and, after that, a couple of coincidences that pushed my ability to suspend disbelief. Luckily the rest of the book made those things totally bearable.

This was my first Picoult book but it certainly won't be my last.

I was given an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley but it took me so long to get around to reading it that I was able to use the audiobook. Which was fantastic. Audra McDonald and Cassandra Campbell were just about perfect. The gentleman who performed Turk's portion was a touch less enjoyable but part of my impression may be due to the horrible nature of the character.

I highly recommend this book.

Would you follow the rules or break them and do what's right? Don't miss another page turner that is sure to keep you in your seat till the last page!

Loved this book! It deals with a very hard subject; racism. The story of Ruth, a black nurse, Turk, a white supremacist and Kennedy a white defense lawyer. I think that Jodi Picoult dealt with the subject with as much respect and dignity as possible. She opens up a topic that people don't like to talk to or even address. It is very thought provoking and I hope it helps to open up conversation between people.

Ruth Jefferson, a labor and delivery nurse with 20 years experience is accused of murdering a baby after performing emergency CPR to the infant by overwrought parents, Turk and Brit Bauer. Events are further complicated because Ruth happens to be black and the parents are white supremacists that had requested that Ruth not be allowed to care for their son. Kennedy McQuarrie is the naive, white attorney defending Ruth's case. What ensues is one emotional roller-coaster ride as we discover people's hidden bias and how hard it is for them to acknowledge it. Will they have the ability to let it go or will they continue to live in denial?

Jodi Picoult has tackled one monster of a topic within this novel and I believe it will serve as a wake-up call for many, especially those with privilege. Picoult acknowledges in her author's note that she anticipates backlash from this novel, however she felt compelled to write it and I do feel that she did thorough research regarding the perspective of others. Many readers will be surprised to learn that while they may not consider themselves to be prejudiced, they do have bias. Everyone does. Don't believe me? Click <a href="http://www.tolerance.org/activity/test-yourself-hidden-bias">here</a> and answer honestly to discover yours.

So many emotions swirled through my brain while I was reading this novel, frustration, empathy, confusion (regarding character's actions). I experienced all of these emotions as Picoult weaved her story. I felt Ruth's pain, didn't understand her indignance. As a white woman, I identified with Kennedy's ignorance regarding her white privilege. I do feel that the ending would have been stronger without events regarding Brit's mother. It felt like a little too much of a cliche thrown into an otherwise powerful novel on human nature, upbringing, and circumstance. There isn't always such a defining reason into people's actions. A little too much bow-wrapping. However with that said, I feel this is a powerful novel that I would recommend to just about everyone.

One of the most thought-provoking stories I have read in ages. The book, the story, the characters... all of them will stay in my heart and mind for a very long time. A must read that absolutely everyone should experience.

When I first began to read this, I almost stopped because it was too real. I kept going, though, and I'm glad I did. I'm glad a prominent white author has taken such a stand and made a statement to other white people about how to be a true advocate to people of color. The story was heartbreaking, enthralling and sometimes upsetting, but it needed to be told.

This is an amazing book that fully relates to today's race relations in the United States. I've read most of Jodi's books and must say this is one of my favorites. The book has three different narrators - a black woman, a white woman and a white supremacist. It's eye opening reading their thoughts. The white woman happens to be the defendant in the case and she comes full circle in her feelings for blacks. As a white privileged American it really made me think and question my beliefs. Although the book is lengthy it does keep your attention. She has some great twists in the book. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

This is my favorite of Picoult's books so far! I was absolutely impressed with how directly and sensitively she handled such a complicated, straight-from-the-news topic. Her multiple narrator preference was maintained in a very successful way, but I felt that her characteristic twist ending was appropriately muted. I greatly appreciated the author's note at the end of the book as well. I will recommend this book widely.

Literature highlighting the latent racism hidden amongst even the most liberal of the white population in the United States is especially relevant during a time when the slogan "Make America Great Again" appears to be code for "Make America White Again". With a self proclaimed white supremacist stashed near President Trump's ear, the rest of us, no matter which way we voted, need to be vigilant against any attempts to reinstitute laws which are discriminatory. Already there is a cry out against what is referred to as the "New Jim Crow Laws" as our citizens of color march under the banner "Black Lives Matter".

Small Great Things by Jodi Piccoult examines the life of Ruth Anderson, a maternity nurse who lives a comfortable life style in an upscale neighborhood in Connecticut, the widow of an American war veteran and the mother of an outstanding sophomore attending a prestigious high school. (Did I mention that she is black?)

Her entire life changes when a young couple is horrified that a black woman is touching their newborn son and she is asked to step away and refrain from interacting with the tiny babe. Yet, shit happens, and Ruth finds herself alone with the infant when he stops breathing, choosing to resuscitate the limp form but stepping back as soon as she hears help arriving. Asked to start chest compressions while the doctor does his due diligence, little Davis still dies. The parents threaten to sue for negligence, but the hospital lawyer sees Ruth as an easy target and redirects their energies in her direction.

It's at this point Ruth's life becomes surreal as she is relieved of her duties at the hospital, loses her nursing license, and finds herself being dragged off to jail in the middle of the night wearing nothing but a nightgown. Out of a job and refusing to touch Edison's College Fund, Ruth relies on a public defender to plead her case as she slings burgers at McDonalds to make ends meet. Her lawyer, Kennedy McQuarrie, a white woman, pursues the case for altruistic motives but discovers her own hidden biases as she becomes aware of the subtle (and not so subtle) forms discrimination takes in a society geared towards the needs of a white clientele.

Moving back and forth between the points of view of the three main characters - Turk (Davis' father), Kennedy, and Ruth - the plot advances through the trial and its aftermath with an epilogue that also hints at future events.

Jodi Piccoult takes on a heavy topic which is made more difficult since she is white and can only empathize with the black community through second hand experiences. Yet Piccoult's popularity provides a vehicle to explore a sensitive issue which has been ignored for way too long. Based on some real experiences, the author takes a few liberties and at times stretches our sense of credibility, although this longish story is absolutely readable and engrossing on many levels, despite the too convenient ending. Its almost instant popularity guarantees a wide readership and will perhaps open some eyes to many of the daily mishaps experienced by our neighbors who were not lucky enough to be born into a life of privilege based simply on skin color. Of equal importance is a glance into the white supremacist movement, analyzing the various motivations and strategies used by an ever present segment of our society.

Four stars and a thank you to both Netgalley and the author, through Goodreads, for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review also appears on my blog, Gotta Read.

Jodi Picoult is one of the authors at the top of my reading list. I was pleased when I was granted the chance to read this book through NetGalley because I didn't think I had enough reviews on my profile to qualify. That being said, I had no idea how intense this book would be to read. I have always enjoyed stories that incorporated medical settings and also court ones, as a result of my legal background. This has both and more.

Ruth is a labor and delivery nurse with 20 years' experience and is also a mother of a young man ready to graduate high school and go to college. She is also black and this is what brings so much to the story. There are lessons to be learned from this book. It is strong and important and I'm so glad I read it. I've grown up in a very different life than Ruth did and have traveled and lived many places and had a lot of friends from different backgrounds and yet there is so much that I couldn't relate to since I am not black. The world is not a kind place to those who are different even if they seem like and me.

Ruth Jefferson loves her job; each day she gets to help mothers welcome their new children into this world. This isn't to say that her job isn't tough or hard it's actually quite the opposite of that. Ruth has been a labor and delivery nurse for over 20 years. She has helped families with their unending joy, but also their complete sadness if things do not go well.

Turk Bauer is at the hospital with his wife and their newborn son, Davis. After a long night of delivery, Ruth takes over caring for the Bauer family, and Turk is completely angry and appalled. What Ruth, who is African American, did not know before walking into the room was that the Bauers were white supremacists, and she was about to encounter one of the worst days in her life.

After undiagnosed complications, baby Bauer dies and Ruth is the only nurse that is in the room with him despite being told that she was not allowed to care for the Bauer child per the family's request. What follows next are a series of events that Ruth never thought she would be in; she is arrested, taken to jail, and put on trial for her life.

Told from three different narrators; Ruth, Turk, and Ruth's attorney Kennedy, reader's get a first-hand account that delves deep into each character's history and everything surrounding Davis' death. More than just the story about Ruth's trial, this novel challenges readers to really think about white privilege, and the racism that is still present in our country to this day. As a white millennial female who grew up in an urban city, I never thought about my own white privilege. To me, it never felt like I had any. This novel really opened my eyes to what African American people experience still to this day.

This novel is important. This novel has challenging content and issues discussed. This novel is a must read. This novel will not be easy for many people to read. Picoult talks about real and honest issues that may make many readers uncomfortable. That being said, they are issues that need to be brought to everyone's attention. Whether racism affects your daily life or not, Picoult brings the issue to attention in an honest and very real way. Picoult is known for her dramatic, suspenseful, and surprising novels and this one will not disappoint. Highly recommended for all library collections.

A timely novel to make us reaxamine race and prejudices, even those we don't recognize in ourselves. Picoult once again opens the door to great discussions.

A heart wrenching story of rampant racism, deceit and heartbreak. This is a captivating story of a set of circumstances surrounding a baby that impacts many different lives.

This was a beautifully written and powerful read about a pertinent issue (race relations). Jodi Picoult basically ripped my heart out several times throughout this book, and it has been a long time since I have read a novel that has affected me so much. This book is definitely worth a read-just make sure you're in the mood for something heavy.

For some reason I couldn't get past the baby dying and finish the book. It was too sad.