Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Published 2014

Jacqueline Woodson, one of today’s finest writers, tells the moving story of her childhood in mesmerizing verse.

Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child’s soul as she searches for her place in the world. Woodson’s eloquent poetry also reflects the joy of finding her voice through writing stories, despite the fact that she struggled with reading as a child. Her love of stories inspired her and stayed with her, creating the first sparks of the gifted writer she was to become. –Goodreads

My Review

I chose this book because it kept coming across various book lists and discussions. I am glad I finally read it and I give it FIVE STARS!

There are a multitude of reasons why I really liked this book. This is a memoir and a glimpse into a very important time in our history. It gave an interesting perspective into the struggles of families and young children during the Civil Rights Movement. I liked the verse format and the short chapters with great titles. I also liked how you could see Jackie grow. So much was going on in her life, most of which was out of her control, and you could see her changes. Some of the things going on were the Civil Rights Movement, her mother trying to find a home for them, their constant movement from home to home, the movement of her family in and out of her life, her religion, and her struggle in finding what she was good at. Jacquline Woodson really illustrated her childhood and gave a great and powerful message on talking a stand for yourself, your family and friends, and your beliefs.

Recommendation

This book would be perfect for lovers of historical fiction and character growth and self-discovery. I enjoyed the free verse style (much like Inside Out and Back Again) and I think you would too!

Image from Goodreads.