Woodson, J. (2014). Brown Girl Dreaming. NY: Nancy Paulsen Books
Summary:
This book is written in form of poetry and it is
considered to be a memoir of the author Jacqueline Woodson’s life in the years of
the late 1900’s and in the Civil Rights Era.
Jackie’s family interchanges between the North and South of Carolina
where her grandparents reside. While
growing up Jackie’s parents separate she and her siblings and mother move back
to the South to live with her maternal grandparents. Jackie’s mother decides to travel to the
North (New York City) to work and be closer to her siblings. The story takes a downfall when Jackie’s
grandfather passes away and she and her siblings, as well as her grandmother
have to go with her mother to live permanently in New York City. Her life changes
drastically and her tribulations were many.
She did not have the easiest life growing up, but her desire to
persevere was definitely felt throughout
this memoir.
Strengths:
This author uses a variety of poetry free verse
elements that makes these book an easy book to read while still keeping the
reader desiring more. This memoir
explores issues like racism and segregation.
The author’s way to describe what she was witnessing is riveting. Brown
Girl Dreaming meets the social developmental criteria because even though
Jacqueline and her family are “excluded” from society’s eyes during the civil
rights era, they continue to go on with their daily life. Their true faith and perseverance are demonstrated throughout the whole story. Their closeness the Woodson’s family shared was an integral element that the author was conveying to the reader. Age recommendation of this book: 10 and up
Teacher
Ideas:
·
Free verse poetry elements-can be used to
create their own free verse memoir
·
Possible themes to discuss or
research:
o
Perseverance
o
History (Civil Rights Era)
o
Tribulations
o
Overcoming families death
o
Racism, Segregation (Jim Crowe Laws)
o
Religion
Author's Link Website: Jacqueline Woodson
Other Books by the Author:
Some of the Awards won from this book:
National Book Award winner
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