Thursday, April 16, 2015

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

★★★★
"I believe in one day and someday and this perfect moment called Now."

"Even the silence
has a story to tell you.
Just listen. Listen."

In this book of verse, award-winning young adult author Jacqueline Woodson tells her story of growing up as an African-American in the 1960s and 1970s.  Jacqueline was born in Ohio, but has fond memories of visiting her grandparents during the summer in South Carolina.  When her parents separate, Jacqueline moves with her mother and older brother and sister first to her grandparents and later to New York City.  Writing as a young girl, Jacqueline never feels quite at home in either place and experiences a growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement.  She notices the difference from how her family is treated in New York compared to the prejudice that they face in South Carolina.  Jacqueline has always enjoyed writing and learns to express herself and her feelings about her race through her writing of stories and poetry.

I really enjoyed this book.  It was a quick read, but explored complex issues in a way that relates to young people.  The lyrical style was very beautifully written and I really appreciated the author’s unique style and perspective of her childhood.  I would highly recommend this book to young adults of all ages and I believe that many adults would enjoy this book as well.

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