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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
The rhythm of the book takes you like an undercurrent into the life of a proud African American woman's family and history. Stunning storytelling.
inspiring
reflective
This was a beautifully written, stirring memoir. The sense of place was palpable, and she did a wonderful job capturing childhood innocence in a tumultuous world and time. I especially recommend the audiobook, read by the author.
This book was wonderful. I read it quickly in big chunks of story and poem. If I were teaching a lower level English class, I would definitely think about assigning part or all of this to teach about both memoir and poetry. I love her descriptions of being a child who loves words, stories, and the haptic experience of writing.
What is it about novels in verse that work so well for deep political or historical events told through a very personal lens? I find these types of books so great for gaining a good understanding of events described, and a great way for kids to take some first steps into familiarizing themselves with histories that they may not know much about.
Oh how I loved this book! It was so beautiful, lyrical, heartbreaking at times, and joyful at others. It is amazing how much I could visualize and understand her childhood. I felt like I could smell the southern air during her summers in South Carolina and feel her pain when she struggled at school.
I hope this one sweeps all the awards. It deserves it!
I hope this one sweeps all the awards. It deserves it!
7: Brown Girl Dreaming...by Jacqueline Woodson. So beautiful...all of it. When my co-worker urged me to read Each Kindness, I knew that Woodson's name was familiar, and I could "see" the cover of this book. But I also didn't think I had read it. And I had not. It is Woodson's memoir...completely in free verse. I went and bought both Woodson books...and delightedly devoured this one this weekend. I love the honesty and sincerity of Woodson's story, how she confronts all of the stuff of her childhood: race, siblings, parents, grandparents, politeness, religion, friendship, place/home...all of it. And in her drawing on and sharing childhood memories, there were several which prompted direct recollection of my own similar ones, specifically playing with candy cigarettes and being taught not to say "stupid," "jerk," "darn," nor "I hate..." "I could die..." nor "You make me sick..." I enjoyed very much her seeking to find, all the way through, her own place in this world, wanting, from the start, from the very first "J" on a page, with her sister's hand holding hers and guiding it, to be and be known as herself...and as a writer. This is a beautiful book, classic Woodson.
JACQUELINE WOODSON/POETRY
Jacqueline Woodson gives us a glimpse of her early childhood of being an African American in the 60s and 70s. She moves around from Ohio, to North Carolina, and New York and always feels like she's leaving a piece of her behind when she moves somewhere else; she never feels fully at home. Although Jacqueline isn't as gifted as her older sister academically, she finds her passion through writing, poetry to be more specific. We can see how poetry is a way for her to express herself because this memoir is written in free verse, sharing her life and experiences in a new light. It was a nice book and interesting to see her life starting at the end of the Jim Crow laws.
Jacqueline Woodson gives us a glimpse of her early childhood of being an African American in the 60s and 70s. She moves around from Ohio, to North Carolina, and New York and always feels like she's leaving a piece of her behind when she moves somewhere else; she never feels fully at home. Although Jacqueline isn't as gifted as her older sister academically, she finds her passion through writing, poetry to be more specific. We can see how poetry is a way for her to express herself because this memoir is written in free verse, sharing her life and experiences in a new light. It was a nice book and interesting to see her life starting at the end of the Jim Crow laws.