The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison was a book club selection. Although it was published over 50 years ago, it is still resonant today.
Nine-year-old Claudia finds herself sharing a bed with not only her older sister but also Pecola Breedlove, who had become homeless when her father is jailed and her family separated. The Bluest Eye is told through the eyes of Claudia who watches Pecola drink more milk than most children. Not because she likes milk, but because Pecola finds an attachment to the image of Shirley Temple on the glass she drinks from. From Dick and Jane books, child stars and even a blond classmate, Pecola decides to ask God for blue eyes which she believes will then make her beautiful too.
Claudia, on the other hand, destroys her blond, blue eyed dolls and wants to do the same to the entitled arrogant white girls she comes across.
The story is heartbreaking with children neglected, unloved and no one telling them their true worth.
