In the vein of Such a Fun Age, a whip-smart, compulsively readable novel about two upper-class stay-at-home mothers—one white, one Black—living in a "perfect" suburb that explores motherhood, friendship, and the true meaning of sisterhood amidst the backdrop of America’s all-too-familiar racial reckoning.
De’Andrea Whitman, her husband Malik, and their five-year-old daughter, Nina, are new to the upper-crust white suburb of Rolling Hills, Virginia—a move motivated by circumstance rather than choice. De’Andrea is heartbroken to leave her comfortable life in the Black oasis of Atlanta, and between her mother-in-law’s Alzheimer's diagnosis, her daughter starting kindergarten, and the overwhelming whiteness of Rolling Hills, she finds herself struggling to adjust to her new community. To ease the transition, her therapist proposes a challenge: make a white girlfriend.
When Rebecca Myland learns about her new neighbors, the Whitmans, she's thrilled. As chair of the Parent Diversity Committee at her daughters’ school, she’s championed racial diversity in the community—and what could be better than a brand-new Black family? It’s serendipitous when her daughter, Isabella, and Nina become best friends on the first day of kindergarten. Now, Rebecca can put everything she’s learned about antiracism into practice—especially those oh-so-informative social media posts. And finally, the Parent Diversity Committee will have some… well, diversity.
Following her therapist’s suggestion, De’Andrea reluctantly joins Rebecca’s committee. The painfully earnest white woman is so overly eager it makes De’Andrea wonder if Rebecca’s therapist told her to make a Black friend! But when Rolling Hill’s rising racial sentiments bring the two women together in common cause, they find it isn’t the only thing they have in common. . . .
Author Info
Christine Platt writes literature for children and adults that centers African diasporic experiences—past, present, and future. She holds Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in African and African American studies as well as a juris doctorate in general law. She currently serves as Executive Director for Baldwin For The Arts.
Catherine Wigginton Greene is a writer and filmmaker whose storytelling focuses on strengthening human connection and understanding. Her feature documentary I’m Not Racist . . . Am I? continues to be used throughout the US as a teaching tool for starting racial dialogue. A graduate of Coe College and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, Catherine is currently pursuing her doctorate from The George Washington University’s Graduate School of Education and Human Development.
Platt and Wigginton-Greene both live in Washington, DC.
Reviews
“A deep exhale of a narrative, REBECCA, NOT BECKY kept me laughing… and thinking. This is a reminder that talking about race doesn’t have to be hard. It simply requires us to be honest.” — New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline Woodson — New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline Woodson
“Platt and Wigginton Greene have gifted us with a story that is beautiful, honest, funny, and unapologetic. Exploring the complexities of motherhood, interracial friendships, and community, REBECCA, NOT BECKY pushes readers to examine their biases and lean into discomfort. Y’all this is the book we need to read if we want to grow and cultivate a deeper understanding that everyone can work towards racial justice and it’s best when we do it together!” — Tiffany Jewell, #1 New York Times bestselling author of This Book Is Antiracist
"Platt and Wigginton Greene drop a big spoon into the stewpot of race, relationship, class, and age, and serve the reader one sip at a time. Some of it is sweet. Some, sour. Some of it is even a bit spicy. But all of it…yes all of it, is delicious (and might even be healthy). Masterfully done!” — #1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds
“Through vivid storytelling and relatable characters, Platt and Wigginton Greene have crafted a deeply moving and relevant novel addressing the intricate intersections of race, parenting, and friendship. It is a must-read for anyone seeking a better understanding of the world around them… and themselves.” — Glory Edim, author and founder of The Well-Read Black Girl book club
“REBECCA, NOT BECKY reminds us that learning to navigate the complexities of womanhood, motherhood, and sisterhood can lead us to healing cultural and generational trauma. And it is indeed worth ‘doing the work.’” — Alex Elle, New York Times bestselling author of How We Heal
“An incisive story of two stay-at-home moms, one Black, one white, whose complex friendship roils their northern Virginia suburb….The authors carefully demonstrate how each of the protagonists is hampered by preconceived notions of the other, and the social satire smoothly evolves into a propulsive page-turner. Fans of Such a Fun Age ought to check this out.” — Publishers Weekly
“Written in exuberant style…. having savvy fun with stereotypes and the sub rosa operations of female social networks.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Rebecca, Not Becky is a hugely enjoyable novel that nonetheless takes a hard look at prejudice and performative allyship in an affluent Northern Virginia community, alternating between the perspectives of a white woman and a Black woman reconsidering their biases and privilege. . . .Two women--one white and one Black--navigate the nuances of racism in their Northern Virginia community in this addictively readable collaborative novel.” — Shelf Awareness
“The book’s characters are initially cast as stereotypes of suburban mothers who spend their days planning committee meetings, complaining about busy, inattentive husbands, sipping wine and doing yoga, but they eventually emerge as more complex protagonists with whom we empathize. Despite their differences, the women at the center of the story aspire to be more than wives and mothers and, despite their insecurities, have a greater vision for a more inclusive community. It is a charming tale of class, race, motherhood and relationships.” — Washington Post
