Brown Girl Dreaming – Jacqueline Woodson

Last year I listened to “Red at the Bone” by Woodson and it was one of the most rich and poetic pieces of literature I consumed, cementing its place on my honorable mention list of best books of the year.

After enjoying my first book in verse in February — Dean Atta’s self-acceptance celebration “The Black Flamingo” — I was eager to try the format again, so naturally Woodson’s National Book Award winning memoir was a no-brainer selection.

Targeted to middle grade readers, “Brown Girl Dreaming” is an exceptional introduction to more mature books in verse and poetry, and an accessible conversation starter about the experiences of BIPOC people in the southern United States during the tail-end of the Civil Rights era.

It’s remarkable that, as an adult, Woodson was able to bring forward her younger self’s interpretation of how the world was changing around her but not apply a hindsight view.

In chapters, most a page or two — like “ghosts” and “what everybody knows now” — she addresses the duality of living in both the southern and northern U.S., and the stark differences between the two places in the late-60s and 70s. It’s a unique perspective that I’ve not read before.

But, first and foremost this is Woodson’s memoir — delicately crafted from journals she kept as a child and teen and interviews with her family members in Ohio, South Carolina and New York — and it explores how her diverse familial roots helped her discover a passion for words.

Her memories are vivid, heart-breaking and comforting depending on the topic. From the loss of relatives (“caroline but we called her aunt kay, some memories”) to growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness (“because we’re witnesses”) and discovering her passion for writing (“when I tell my family”), we learn of the multiple inputs that shaped her unique voice.

There’s a lot of love and humor in the pages too. Elements of the story feel almost Pixar-ish, with Woodson discussing her self-doubt, comparing herself to siblings and exploring her block in Bushwick with her best friend.

She is a rare writer who can tell so much story in just a few pages, and by the end of “Dreaming” I felt a connection to her life, even though it differs from my own. Woodson’s writing excels because she brings forward universal truths.

Here it is the reminder that sometimes when you feel lost, revisiting the past - and the places and people that shaped you - can help you feel found.

Rating (story): 4/5 stars

Rating (narration): N/A

Formats: E-book (personal library)

Dates read: May 6 - 18, 2021

Multi-tasking: N/A