​"I want to thank the author for writing this book. At times, A Tree Without Roots made me cry,  made me angry and made me laugh. But mostly, I felt seen and understood through Jasmine’s story. There are many times that I can recall feeling as though I wasn’t beautiful enough because my hair short and my skin is dark. I was teased repeatedly throughout school. Boys either made fun of me or tried to have sex with me because they thought that dark-skinned girls were desperate since know really like us anyway. This book captures the pain and hurt that young people experience in school, in their homes and in even in their own skin. I recognize people in this story. They are family members and they live in my community. After reading this book, I have a better understanding about why dysfunction happens in our community.
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While Jasmine at times had a strained relationship with her mother and although her father was M.I.A. for a period of time, it was refreshing to read about positive adults who affirmed Jasmine such as Aunt Angie and Mama Roxie. All too often, Black adults, especially family members, are absent in novels. When they do appear, they are usually stereotypical characters. In this book, the adults are complex, real people who are available to the Jasmine, even when she did not want to connect with them. After reading this book, I feel proud and I want a deeper connection with my family. "       
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~Simone,  16​