Reviews

Token Black Girl: A Memoir by Danielle Prescod

spacem0nkeyyy's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

hollyreadingisjolly's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.75

meags_'s review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.0

mg_in_md_'s review against another edition

4.0

A compelling memoir that details the author's life in the fashion industry where she was often the only Black woman in the room, which was also the case when she was growing up in Connecticut. The memoir is less about the fashion industry itself and more of an exploration of the author's identity and what it feels like to be an "only." The author did an excellent job of relaying her thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a way that allowed me to empathize with her immensely. I really enjoyed this honest and open memoir, and think it would be a fantastic book club pick given the various topics and themes it explores.

I selected this Amazon FirstReads book as my pick for the 2023 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge prompt "a book with 'girl' in the title."

hgspohn's review against another edition

5.0

Wow. As a white person, this book really opened up my eyes to a lot of problems that even I am guilty of maintaining. Reading a book that you do not relate to whatsoever is incredibly daunting. But so worth it. I wish that I had read this sooner, I wish that I understood it better, I wish that a book like this didn't need to be written in the first place. But it is such a beautiful and heartbreaking story. Sure, it's not the thrilling plot that so many of us are enthralled with, but its real and raw. I love this book and it has changed the way that I think about my actions toward my black peers forever.
Amazing, and will read it again soon.

breannawhite's review against another edition

informative slow-paced

3.5

Whether you are the “Token Black Girl” (like myself) or if you have a TBG in your friend group (hey, fix that immediately) or just want to know what it’s like growing up & being a Black woman in majority white spaces, you should give this book a read. 


It was a bit hard to stay engaged in the story because it was repetitive and the flow wasn’t as seamless. At times I was confused if the main focus of the book was about eating disorders & the toxicity of the fashion industry or about racial identity & navigating Blackness in white spaces. Either way it was very informative and a good read.

khetti's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

tangiblereads's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

 The essence of Token Black Girl defines my life as a black female largely singularly occupying white spaces.  And I can identify with every challenge Danielle has faced, and most of the examples she gave as well.  Granted I’m not rich or had the privilege of top notch education, dream jobs and celebrity status.  But that doesn’t even matter.  I recognized at an early age the cruelty of racism and different standards exists.  And while I wanted acceptance, I didn’t bend over backwards for it to the extent she did which resulted in her afflictions.  The world is cruel and this book shows that.  Kudos to her for speaking her truth because I know it was painful and just like the beauty industry, people will pick apart her flaws while condoning theirs or say she’s wrong.  She is on point and anyone black if they are being honest with themselves would agree.  At least in America.  The earlier black America recognizes that, the better off we will be.

echood's review against another edition

hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.5

vicreads24's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced