Picture it: January 2014. The state of Georgia has a grand total of three snowplows (probably). And we're hit with record snow. Just under three inches!
If you're from the north: I know, I know. WE KNOW. You are still in shorts doing cartwheels in three inches of snow. But here in Georgia where it's currently November 8 and still in the high 80s? We are not equipped for that much snow (and subsequent ice) to fall that quickly. It crippled Atlanta. People were stranded in their cars on the interstate--it was utter chaos.
I am, once again, blown away by the collective genius that happens when Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon come together to write. As with its predecessor, Blackout, Whiteout brings the reader along during a weather emergency that leads to a city-wide shut down, this time in Atlanta--Snowpocalypse 2.0! As a Georgia girl, born and raised, this story felt like home. I lived so close to I75 during the now-infamous 2014 Snowpocalypse. I remember being glued to the news--wondering how long it would take before everyone was safe again. I've walked the Jungle under Hartsfield-Jackson--it's as beautiful as they described and makes you not want to take the train. I've been to concerts at Mercedes-Benz and absolutely choked up when (no spoilers, really) Jimi walked onto the stage of the Fox and described our beautiful theatre--that is-it-a-ceiling-or-is-it-the-sky will truly take your breath away.
As ever, I appreciate all of the representations of love that Whiteout conveys, in both romantic relationships between people of all genders, but also the overwhelming friendship between this cast of characters. These people, even in a literal state of emergency/shelter in place, still found a way to show up for each other, no matter what. This is something that I wish happened more in real life, but if authors like these keep writing, and the world keeps consuming, stories like this, I think it might help to change the world for the better.
I am so grateful for having been able to read this book, and you should, too. It's out today!
Love and Lego Roses,
Mandy
