#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • With richly layered characters and
a gripping moral dilemma that will lead readers to question
everything they know about privilege, power, and race, Small
Great Things is the stunning new page-turner 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 twenty 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
“A gripping courtroom drama . . . Given the current political
climate it is quite prescient and worthwhile. . . . This is a
writer who understands her characters inside and out.”—Roxane
Gay, The New York Times Book Review
“I couldn’t put it down. Her best yet!”—New York
Times bestselling author Alice Hoffman
“A compelling, can’t-put-it-down drama with a trademark [Jodi]
Picoult twist.”—Good Housekeeping
“It’s Jodi Picoult, the prime provider of literary soul food.
This riveting drama is sure to be supremely satisfying and a
bravely thought-provoking tale on the dangers of
prejudice.”—Redbook
“Jodi Picoult is never afraid to take on hot topics, and in Small
Great Things, she tackles race and discrimination in a way that
will grab hold of you and refuse to let you go. . . . This
page-turner is perfect for book clubs.”—Popsugar
- Small Great Things audiobook.