It's easy to see why @jesmynward won the National Book Award for this story. Her writing as always is beyond beautiful, and done in such a way you feel what they feel and you can see what the character is seeing.
The story focuses on JoJo, his baby sister Kayla, Pop & Mam as well has is drug addicted mom Leonia (who I'd love to slap).
It goes between Gulf Coast Mississippi & Mississippi State Penitentiary, named Parchment. It's about hope because of Mam dying of Cancer and survival for so many reasons.
I can't recommend this and all of Jesmyn's books enough, i haven't read one yet that hasn't brought me to tears, made me LOL and that i haven't fell in love with at least one of the characters.