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Reviews tagging 'Racism'
Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard by Echo Brown
44 reviews
teri_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Rape
Moderate: Death, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, and Grief
ashley_tx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Drug use, Incest, Pedophilia, Racism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death of parent
samvanz12's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, and Sexual assault
renee_reads_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Echo grows up in a poor black community in which her stepfather is frequently drunk and her mother is always strung out on "the white rocks" (crack cocaine). Echo works to overcome the odds that are stacked against her: the disadvantage, the addiction, the access to quality education, the sexual abuse -- all things that affect black communities more than white people often feel comfortable acknowledging -- and she thrives.
I'm certain there are own-voices reviews of this book that are more useful than my review here, and I encourage you to read them. I found this book to be very moving and also thought-provoking because it isn't often that the focus is placed on black women in society (what I mean is, even though it's something we hear about, it's not something I've often seen in books). This had me learning a lot more about all the ways that systemic racism exists and all of the hardships people endure because of it. As a former teacher, I was particularly interested in the education angle and how Echo was able to piece her education together, as well as how she saw school as her safe space.
This book was really well done and I'm surprised that I haven't seen more people talking about it.
Graphic: Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Drug abuse, Racism, and Sexual content
unicornsky's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Drug abuse and Racism
Moderate: Child abuse and Rape
itsmeyseniab's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
IF YOU'RE READING THIS, PLEASE STOP AND PICK UP THIS INCREDIBLE BOOK, NO REVIEW WILL DO IT JUSTICE.
I rarely cry while reading books, but this brought me to tears on several occasions. This novel tackled some incredibly difficult topics, and what's even more difficult and heartbreaking is knowing that this is autobiographical. The way that Echo Brown told her story was so raw, beautiful and impactful. I loved the way that she incorporated magical realism into this novel and how each chapter ended with a lesson (it felt like a hybrid of both the personal development and memoir genres). The symbolism that she used was superb - the "black veil" representing depression and the description of "wizards" were the two that stood out to me the most. I adored how many of the females within the novel were described as wizards - I felt as though that gave them power in situations that were meant to make them feel powerless at the hands of others. It truly was incredible and brought tears to my eyes.
Echo did a great job with describing all of the characters and developing their interpersonal relationships. The way that she described her relationship with her mother in particular was the most impactful in my opinion. Her mother was so flawed, but the love they both share for each other (even when they don't see eye-to-eye) made me so emotional. We really got to know Echo through her relationship with her brothers as well - hearing how she had to step into a motherly role at such a young age really helped to embody her spirit and allowed readers to understand her thought process and decision making throughout the rest of childhood and teenage years. Her relationship with her teacher was a great example of how families and communities can come together to help each other overcome adversity as well.
Although this was extremely difficult to read due to the subject matter, I think it is an extremely important novel and can impact readers of all ages. I believe that everyone gain something from this story! I highly recommend the audiobook as well - it is narrated by Echo Brown herself and adds even more emotion and depth. I truly can't recommend this novel enough. I am looking forward to seeing more from Echo in the future!
Moderate: Drug abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Violence
beauty_andbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Rape
locdbooktician's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, and Medical trauma
akthackray's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Racism, and Rape