Destiny's Gift Back in Print

With so many bookstores closing and in honor of women's history month, we are sharing this review of Destiny's Gift, a story of a woman-run neighborhood bookstore facing a rent increase, and the community rallying to help.

One of the best children’s books in recent years is Natasha Anastasia Tarpley’s Destiny’s Gift. Destiny, a little girl who loves words, writing and reading, spends all of her free time at a local independent bookstore, Wade’s Books. Mrs. Wade, who runs the store, enjoys her company and encourages her writing and learning. One day, Mrs. Wade gets a notice that the rent on the store is being raised to a level that she cannot afford. When a devastated Destiny tells her parents, they bring the neighborhood together for a series of actions: a protest, a fundraising block party and book sale, signs, flyers and media alerts. Destiny writes her own token of support, a piece containing everything she loves about the bookstore, which she presents to Mrs. Wade on her own. The book ends with no clear resolution about the fate of the bookstore, but on a moment of deep connection between two generations of women who love words and care about each other.

Destiny’s Gift embodies a number of positive values that make this an excellent story for children. The book contributes to positive and central depictions of women and men of color, as Destiny and Mrs. Wade are both African American and nearly all the other characters appear to be people of color. The authors show people of color owning businesses, engaging in activism to support their community, having happy relationships and strong families, and valuing learning.

The book specifically centers around excellent women of color characters, and promotes women’s agency – and men’s support of women’s agency – in the structure of its story. Mrs. Wade is an African American woman business owner, and her story is told without needing to mention her relationship status. Destiny is a smart and talented African American girl whose parents value her and take her concerns seriously, especially when her love of the bookstore translates into the need for action. Her mother and father rise to the challenge and equally devote their time to helping fight for the store, and both men and women are depicted in scenes of the community.

Neither children nor adults are one-dimensional, but display complexity in their feelings and actions. Mrs. Wade is Destiny’s friend and mentor,sharing her knowledge while supporting Destiny’s learning. Destiny alsoplays a role in the activism that follows the news of the stores closing. Adults display vulnerability, and children are able to give support.

The story line itself is realistic and engaging without depending on an easy resolution to the central problem. In fact, the uncertainty about the bookstore’s fate can serve as a springboard to interesting conversations with the child reader, and a deeper understanding of the social and economic forces at work behind the situation. The book also serves as a way to introduce strategies for activism and social change to children.

Adjoa J. Burrowes’s engaging illustrations combine paper cutouts, watercolors and line drawings to engage readers of all ages, and contribute a great deal to the success of the story. However, the book would benefit from more diversity of body types and the inclusion of visibly disabled people.

Destiny’s Gift is that rare book that sends strong positive messages without preachiness. Its colorful, detailed illustrations and compelling story work together to give the central characters personality and depth, and people of all ages can learn from its ethics of community and caring.

-- Reviewed by Katie Seitz, Teaching for Change Bookstore Bookseller.