Woodson, J. (2014). Brown Girl Dreaming. New York: Nancy Paulsen Books.
Summary:
Jacqueline Woodson tells of her childhood growing up as an
African-American girl during the 1960s and 1970s in the South. She uses poetry
to share a glimpse into her world as a child who was searching for her place in
the world as she was lived in South Carolina and then moved to New York. Her
poetry is touching, and shares with readers her difficulties and fond memories.
Evaluative Criteria:
An autobiographical novel written in the perspective of a child, will take the reader on a journey of Jacqueline’s childhood during the 1960s-70s. The novel uses vivid, numbered poetry of haikus and narrative styles as she searches for identity and her place in the world. Readers and especially young girls will find this appealing as they too are growing and on a journey of figuring out their role in life. I would use this book to help motivate those reluctant readers due to the quick read of short poems and also to those who enjoy history.
Other novels by Jacqueline Woodson
I Hadn’t Meant to Tell You This, shares the same gender for the main character. However, this novel differs from Brown Girl Dreaming, as it tells a gritty and haunting story and not one of childlike memoir.
Each Kindness is another Coretta Scott King Honor Award winner picture book with beautiful artwork and a strong message against bullying. The story uses another African American female as the main character to share characters life lessons.
Locomotion is told entirely through various forms of poetry similar to Brown Girl Dreaming. However, the main character is a boy named Lonnie who shares his story of hope and family.
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