Released in September 2019, Red at the Bone tells the story of a young woman named Melody, a sixteen year old who is celebrating her birthday in her grandparents house in Brooklyn, New York. Although it tells the story of Melody's family history, it primarily tells the story of her upbringing and some new discoveries she makes about herself, her family, her body, and who she is in general. "Most strikingly," though, according to the book's synopsis, "Red at the Bone looks at the ways in which young people must so often make long-lasting decisions about their lives--even before they have begun to figure out who they are and what they want to be. "
At release, Red at the Bone received overwhelmingly positive reviews. Publisher's Weekly called the book "beautifully imagined" and said that it is "a wise, powerful, and compassionate novel." People Magazine thought similarly, writing that Red at the Bone was "An exquisite tale of family legacy….The power and poetry of Woodson’s writing conjures up Toni Morrison." Red at the Bone was also an "instant New York Times bestseller," indicating that it sold very well.
