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Small Great Things cover art

Small Great Things

Written by: Jodi Picoult
Narrated by: Audra McDonald,Cassandra Campbell,Ari Fliakos
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Publisher's Summary

2017 Audie Awards, Winner

Number-one New York Times Best Seller

With richly layered characters and a gripping moral dilemma that will lead listeners to question everything they know about privilege, power, and race, Small Great Things is the stunning new pause-resister from Jodi Picoult.

Soon to be a major motion picture

“[Picoult] offers a thought-provoking examination of racism in America today, both overt and subtle. Her many readers will find much to discuss in the pages of this topical, moving book.” (Booklist [starred review])

Ruth Jefferson is a labor and delivery nurse at a Connecticut hospital with more than 20 years’ experience. During her shift, Ruth begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be told a few minutes later that she’s been reassigned to another patient. The parents are white supremacists and don’t want Ruth, who is African American, to touch their child. The hospital complies with their request, but the next day, the baby goes into cardiac distress while Ruth is alone in the nursery. Does she obey orders or does she intervene?

Ruth hesitates before performing CPR and, as a result, is charged with a serious crime. Kennedy McQuarrie, a white public defender, takes her case but gives unexpected advice: Kennedy insists that mentioning race in the courtroom is not a winning strategy. Conflicted by Kennedy’s counsel, Ruth tries to keep life as normal as possible for her family - especially her teenage son - as the case becomes a media sensation. As the trial moves forward, Ruth and Kennedy must gain each other’s trust, and come to see that what they’ve been taught their whole lives about others - and themselves - might be wrong.

With incredible empathy, intelligence, and candor, Jodi Picoult tackles race, privilege, prejudice, justice, and compassion - and doesn’t offer easy answers. Small Great Things is a remarkable achievement from a writer at the top of her game.

Praise for Small Great Things

Small Great Things is the most important novel Jodi Picoult has ever written.... It will challenge her readers...[and] expand our cultural conversation about race and prejudice.” (The Washington Post)

“A novel that puts its finger on the very pulse of the nation that we live in today...a fantastic read from beginning to end, as can always be expected from Picoult, this novel maintains a steady, page-turning pace that makes it hard for readers to put down.” (San Francisco Book Review)

©2016 Jodi Picoult (P)2016 Random House Audio

What listeners say about Small Great Things

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Racism and Privilege

Picoult expertly writes a narrative through three vastly different perspectives. Small Great Things shows that the impacts of racism parallel the affects of race based privilege.

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Powerful story, animated readers

I love, love the depth of Jodi’s books. This one was so engaging and did a great job using fiction to help white people remove their blinders about structural racism.

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Unexpected

I had not known the topic of the novel prior to listening to it. When I found out that it was about racism I was a bit disappointed as this important topic has been so widely discussed the last few years. What novelty could this story add to the issueI thought? I am pleased to say that I was wrong! Great job Jodie! You kept me intrigued and I learned to see the issues from some unusual nuances. Thanks.

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Touching and educative

This book is nothing short to a fiction to me from A to Z. It’s a great book I’ll not only advise friends of all race to read but will persuade them to do so. It is very touching and educative. I love a great story.

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Wow... just wow

This book leaves you thinking about it long after its over. So powerfully written and impactful. It makes you want to be a better person. Truly being able to understand what a black person experiences and having so many examples of how racism and oppression plays out, has left me understanding that I still have much work to do in being an ally. I loved the characters and narrators and the role that each of them played. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone. Definately one of the best books I have ever read!

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So timely

I absolutely loved it and Kennedy's closing speech and her growth and Ruth's growing warmth towards her throughout. I loved that Turk didn't kill Ruth. I honestly expected it but I have not read Jodi's work in a long time. Bravo!

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The book is very timely and well written.

I loved this book, and couldn't put it down. The story is fantastic along with the messaging. The readers are amazing. Jodi Picoult researched and wrote about racism in a manner that will ring true to all those that read it. I highly recommend this book.

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Incredible read!

I just finished this awesome book. I highly recommend it. It is captivating, I couldn’t stop listening. Also, it discusses and brings to light numerous race issues; both overt and subtle. It allowed me to feel compassion for the white supremest, the innocent dark skinned nurse, the “allies” who didn’t see their own biases.

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Relevant and informative

This book is (in whole truth) eye-opening. As a white woman growing up in a region of Canada where until 20 years ago, having no children of difference race of culture in you school system was normal. Diversity where I grew up just didn’t exist. I cannot fathom the unjust, incomprehensible acts of racism experienced by those who are visibly of a different race, but I am angry that they still ensure the hate of others. Jodi Picoult does as she sets out to do, educate those who have never had to experience racism, the lifelong impact it has on life. The story she weaves speaks of so many of the horrific stories coming g out of the USA and continue to do so, much to my disbelief. Everyone should read this.

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Couldn't stop listening!

I am an avid Jodi Picoult fan, and this book is now in my top 3. The beginning was hard to get through, just as a mother and having the images in my head, but the book was phenomenal.

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