The first chapter of Between The Stops begins by introducing the main character, Paige. She’s a young African-American woman living in an urban area of the United States who has some serious identity issues. Through her own voice and some flashback scenes, the reader is made to understand that part of her identity struggles stem from the environment of her upbringing. She is adopted into a white, upper-middle class family and as a result, she finds herself trying to live up to their expectations of what a successful person looks like while trying to figure out how to both maintain her own aspirations and fit into a family that is significantly different from her own.
The second chapter jumps right in to the core of Paige’s identity crisis. Here she begins to properly examine the expectations placed on her from her family and peers, while looking for ways to bridge the gap. Throughout this chapter she is in search of a way to become her own person and find herself in the midst of the societal standards she’s been presented with. She discovers that her comfort doesn’t come from completely following the crowd, but rather from learning how to exist in a way that includes some of the expected norms, while also expressing her own unique passions.
The third chapter deals more with her inner struggles as she comes to terms with her racial identity in relation to her family. Throughout this chapter Paige examines the tension between the expectations of her family, her desires to be independent, and the internal stereotypes she’s been confronted with. This chapter also deals with the discomfort and uncertainty that Paige experiences when trying to come to terms with her identity and her place in her own family.
The fourth chapter looks at Paige’s life outside of her family. She begins looking for validation outside of her family from both people she knows and people she doesn’t, such as professors. She also begins to re-discover her own passions and gains more confidence in her own abilities. As she begins to further her educational goals, she starts to find a community that she feels comfortable in and can express her true identity with.
The fifth chapter is focused on the results of Paige’s hard work and self-discovery. Through her continuing journey to discover her own identity, Paige finds that she doesn't have to fit into the boxes her family and society have forced her into. She learns that she can be successful and creative in her own ways and that a mix of traditional and alternative values are what make her unique. Her journey of acceptance and self-discovery helps her to understand that she can live in a state of confidence and self-assurance without conforming completely to the expectations of her environment.
The sixth and final chapter is about furthering that journey as Paige looks ahead. She is now determined to not only meet her goals but to also stay true to herself and her dreams. Paige has learned that she does not have to fit into the boxes and expectations of her environment in order to be successful. Through her story, Paige is able to remind us that even within the confines of traditional expectations, we all have the chance to be successful and creative in ways that showcase our own unique personalities.
