Jessa Is Back, is the second installment in Stacia Moffett’s Lost and Found in Tennessee series. Jess is Back continues the compelling story of Jessa, a young girl who, in the first book, faced unimaginable loss and hardship. Now, returning to her hometown of Radford, Jessa is a changed person. Her newfound perspective and the friendships she formed across racial lines in Oregon challenge the deeply entrenched Jim Crow practices of her Southern hometown. In this novel, Moffett explores the tensions between the old ways and the new, telling a tale of courage, resilience, and the fight for social justice. 

From the moment Jessa steps back into Radford, it is clear that she no longer fits neatly into the expectations of her community. Her experiences in Oregon have opened her eyes to a different way of life.This shift in perspective is central to the novel, as Jessa becomes an advocate for both the inclusion of music throughout Radford’s school system and for the forging of interracial friendships. 

Moffett skillfully portrays Jessa’s transformation, showing how her time away from the South has broadened her understanding of the world and deepened her sense of justice. Jessa’s friendships in Oregon is a turning point in her life, awakening her to the injustices that people of color face daily. This awakening fuels her determination to challenge the status quo in Radford, even as she encounters resistance from those who are comfortable with the way things have always been. 

The novel’s setting in the 1950s is significant, as it was a time of great social upheaval in the south and Moffett captures this period with vivid detail and authenticity. The town of Radford, with its rigid social structures and deeply ingrained racism, shows societal struggles taking place across the country. Through Jessa’s story, Moffett explores the complexities of this era, highlighting both the progress that was being made and the obstacles that remained. 

At the same time, Jessa Is Back, is not just a story about social justice; it is also a deeply personal journey for Jessa. As she reconnects with her roots in Radford, she must navigate the complexities of her own identity, and the expectations placed upon her by her community. Moffett explores the internal struggles that accompany Jessa’s external activism, showing how her experiences in Oregon have changed her in ways that are both empowering and isolating. The novel’s emotional depth is evident in these moments of introspection, as Jessa grapples with the weight of her newfound convictions and the reality of what it means to stand up for what is right. 

Jessa Is Back, is a powerful continuation of Jessa’s story, one that delves into the heart of the civil rights struggle in the American South. Stacia Brandon Moffett has crafted a story that historically rich. Jessa Is Back  is a must-read for anyone interested in stories of personal growth and social change. Through Jessa’s journey, Moffett invites readers to reflect on the progress that has been made and the work that still lies ahead, urging us all to consider how we can contribute to a more just and equitable world. 

“Jessa Is Back  is a must-read for anyone interested in stories of personal growth and social change.”

“Moffett invites readers to reflect on the progress that has been made and the work that still lies ahead, urging us all to consider how we can contribute to a more just and equitable world. “