The Mercy Step Book by Marcia Hutchinson

Set in 1960s and 1970s Bradford, England, The Mercy Step follows Mercy Hanson, the youngest child of Jamaican immigrants, as she navigates a chaotic household overshadowed by an abusive father and an overwhelmed mother. Left to fend for herself, the precocious and highly perceptive Mercy relies on her vivid imagination and a profound love of books to survive a harsh environment. Ultimately, this fiercely moving narrative tracks her quiet rebellion and determined quest to break free from cycles of generational trauma and systemic racism.