Sincerely Sicily

From debut author Tamika Burgess comes the captivating and empowering story of Sicily Jordan—a Black Panamanian fashionista who rocks her braids with pride—who learns to use her voice and take pride in who she is while confronting prejudice in the most unexpected of places.

Sicily Jordan’s worst nightmare has come true! She’s been enrolled in a new school, with zero of her friends and stuck wearing a fashion catastrophe of a uniform. But however bad Sicily thought sixth grade was going to be, it only gets worse when she does her class presentation.

While all her classmates breezed through theirs, Sicily is bombarded with questions on how she can be both Black and Panamanian. She wants people to understand, but it doesn’t feel like anyone is ready to listen—first at school and then at home. Because when her abuela starts talking mess about her braids, Sicily’s the only one whose heart is being crumpled for a second time.

Staying quiet may no longer be an option, but that doesn’t mean Sicily has the words to show the world just what it means to be a proud Black Panamanian either. Even though she hasn’t written in her journal since her abuelo passed, it’s time to pick up her pen again—but will it be enough to prove to herself and everyone else exactly who she is?

• Middle School Struggles: Sicily's starting sixth grade at a new school with a catastrophic uniform and zero friends. After a class presentation goes wrong, it's about to get even worse.
• Black Panamanian Pride: When classmates and even family question how she can be both Black and Panamanian, Sicily must learn to celebrate every part of who she is.
• Family Conflict: The deepest hurt comes from an unexpected place when Sicily's own abuela criticizes her beloved braids, forcing a difficult and heartfelt confrontation.
• Empowering Books for Girls: A timely and important story about self-acceptance, standing up to prejudice, and discovering the power of using your own voice—and your own pen.