Scan barcode
A review by sweetea_55
For Black Girls Like Me by Mariama J. Lockington
5.0
I loved this book. It was brilliant, touching, fast paced and memorable. Slight spoilers ahead, so you've been warned.
Makeda Kirkland is an eleven-year-old adoptee, who's being raised by two white parents in a majorly white neighborhood. Although she feels loved, she struggles with her own identity, as she's the only black girl in the family and during most social situations. Her mother Anna likes to think that she relates to her daughter and that she doesn't see color but her behavior sometimes leaves Makeda feeling alone.
The family moves from Baltimore to New Mexico for their father's job and Makeda leaves behind the only black friend she's ever had. Along with this struggle, Makeda must deal with racism from her school and coping with her mother's abrupt mood swings. The isolation that she feels from being the only black girl in most social settings is super relatable, along with the microaggressions she has to deal with from everyone, including her sister Eve. I do wish Anna would have tried to relate to her daughter more and not just sweep racial issues under the rug but I suppose this made it more realistic.
This book touches on heavy subjects like bipolar depression and suicide attempts but the way the author wrote about everything, gave you a better grasp at understanding Anna and making you see that she truly loves both her daughters, despite her many mistakes.
The story was beautiful and I finished it in two days, which is fast for me. I enjoyed the book thoroughly and am sure others will as well.
Makeda Kirkland is an eleven-year-old adoptee, who's being raised by two white parents in a majorly white neighborhood. Although she feels loved, she struggles with her own identity, as she's the only black girl in the family and during most social situations. Her mother Anna likes to think that she relates to her daughter and that she doesn't see color but her behavior sometimes leaves Makeda feeling alone.
The family moves from Baltimore to New Mexico for their father's job and Makeda leaves behind the only black friend she's ever had. Along with this struggle, Makeda must deal with racism from her school and coping with her mother's abrupt mood swings. The isolation that she feels from being the only black girl in most social settings is super relatable, along with the microaggressions she has to deal with from everyone, including her sister Eve. I do wish Anna would have tried to relate to her daughter more and not just sweep racial issues under the rug but I suppose this made it more realistic.
This book touches on heavy subjects like bipolar depression and suicide attempts but the way the author wrote about everything, gave you a better grasp at understanding Anna and making you see that she truly loves both her daughters, despite her many mistakes.
The story was beautiful and I finished it in two days, which is fast for me. I enjoyed the book thoroughly and am sure others will as well.