Brown Girl Dreaming
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The acclaimed author of Red at the Bone tells the moving story of her childhood in mesmerizing poems.
A NEWBERY HONOR BOOK • WINNER OF THE CORETTA SCOTT KING BOOK AWARD • A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST MIDDLE GRADE BOOK OF THE CENTURY
“Moving and resonant . . . captivating.”—The Wall Street Journal
I am born in Ohio but
the stories of South Carolina already run
like rivers
through my veins.
Raised in South Carolina and New York, Jacqueline Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 70s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, providing a glimpse into a child’s soul as she finds her voice through writing and searches for her place in the world.
Teeming with feeling and deeply personal, Brown Girl Dreaming is the groundbreaking chronicle of Woodson’s journey to storytelling, and a beautiful portrayal of physical, emotional, and spiritual growth.
A NEWBERY HONOR BOOK • WINNER OF THE CORETTA SCOTT KING BOOK AWARD • A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST MIDDLE GRADE BOOK OF THE CENTURY
“Moving and resonant . . . captivating.”—The Wall Street Journal
I am born in Ohio but
the stories of South Carolina already run
like rivers
through my veins.
Raised in South Carolina and New York, Jacqueline Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 70s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, providing a glimpse into a child’s soul as she finds her voice through writing and searches for her place in the world.
Teeming with feeling and deeply personal, Brown Girl Dreaming is the groundbreaking chronicle of Woodson’s journey to storytelling, and a beautiful portrayal of physical, emotional, and spiritual growth.
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
Superb!
Wish I’d read this one sooner. Picked it up to fulfill a poetry prompt on my yearly reading challenge. Just lovely!
Wish I’d read this one sooner. Picked it up to fulfill a poetry prompt on my yearly reading challenge. Just lovely!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Brown Girl Dreaming tells the story of the author's childhood in beautifully written free verse poetry. Jacqueline Woodson is candid and vulnerable as she tells her reader what it was like growing up in Ohio, in the south in South Carolina, and in Brooklyn. Her recounts are moving and evoke strong emotions while maintaining a soft and gentle feel for the younger reader.
Brown Girl Dreaming tells the story of the author's childhood in beautifully written free verse poetry. Jacqueline Woodson is candid and vulnerable as she tells her reader what it was like growing up in Ohio, in the south in South Carolina, and in Brooklyn. Her recounts are moving and evoke strong emotions while maintaining a soft and gentle feel for the younger reader.
Unique way to start the book, almost poetic. I really enjoyed the protagonist’s narration and friendship. Loved learning about life with “Daddy” and the love of her family, and struggle to understand her abilities.
Lots of fun to hear this read by the author. It was a lovely set of poems that tell the story of her childhood. Many resonated with me. Many taught me new perspectives.
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.