Brown Girl Dreaming
Published by The Penguin Group, 2014
ISBN: 978039925218
Genre: Biography/ Memoir
Awards:
Newbery Honor award
National Book Award
Coretta Scott King Award
Review
Most of the time I'm not a fan of biographies or novels in verse but Brown Girl Dreaming changed my mind completely. I feel like Jacqueline Woodson told her life in a very unique and interesting way. If it wasn't written in a novel in verse format, the book would've changed tremendously, in my perspective.. The way this book was written almost makes you feel like you're living it. Personally, I got completely drawn into the book and I had to read the book as soon as possible. As an African American girl I feel I can relate with the author a lot. While segregation has come to an end i still experience some things that happen to Woodson and I understand her pain.
While Woodson took us through her life the reader got to understand a little more about what life was like growing up in the 1960s and 70s. We got to experience life as a small African American female in an urban environment in Brooklyn, New York, where life was chaotic. We also experienced life in South Carolina where segregation was everywhere and life was a little more laid back. In this book it makes you feel all the ups and downs that the author went through. From her brother being in the emergency room months at a time to the ending of segregation and hard times. This emotional yet amazing novel in verse is probably one of the best biographies I've read. In addition, I plan on reading more books this author has published.
Further Explorations
- Racial Segregation in the South.
- More on the Jehovah Witness religion. Jacqueline Woodson grew up as a Witness.
- 1960s and 70s in Brooklyn, New York through one man's camera lens.
- Why children eat paint chips. Roman, Woodson's younger brother, ate paint chips as a kid and landed in the hospital for a long time.
- More information on Jacqueline Woodson's life and her website.
Partner Titles
Works Cited
Works Cited
"Adolesence / Teens-You Have A Brain (Teens Guide to T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G.)." You Have A Brain (Teens Guide to T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G.) (061446) Details. Rainbow Source, n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.
"Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson, 2014 National Book Award Winner, Young People's Literature." Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson, 2014 National Book Award Winner, Young People's Literature. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.
"Brown Girl Dreaming." Goodreads. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.
"Brown Girl Dreaming (Newbery Honor Book) Hardcover – Deckle Edge, August 28, 2014." Brown Girl Dreaming (Newbery Honor Book): Jacqueline Woodson: 9780399252518: Amazon.com: Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.
Haskell, Meg. "Why Kids Eat Paint Chips." Archive.bangordailynews.com. N.p., 6 Oct. 2003. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.
"Jehovah's Witnesses | Beliefs and FAQs | JW.ORG." JW.ORG. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.
"Mississippi Bridge by Mildred D. Taylor | Scholastic.com." Scholastic Teachers. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.
"My Biography | Jacqueline WoodsonJacqueline Woodson." Jacqueline Woodson. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.
"Racial Segregation." HISTORY. N.p., 12 Mar. 2013. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.
"See 1960s And 1970s NYC Through One Man's Camera Lens." Gothamist.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.