brown girl dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

“I am born in Ohio but the stories of South Carolina already run like rivers through my veins” (Woodson, 2014, p. 2).

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson is a nostalgic memoir of a young African-American girl growing up in the 1960’s. The memoir begins with Jaqueline’s birth in Ohio, follows her life journey to the South, and ends in her new residence in New York as an adolescent. The book introduces the reader to many different characters, such as her mother, father, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even best friends. As Woodson tells her stories, it is easy to see the overall theme of inequality, racism, and prejudice shine through the voice and thoughts of a child. Although the book intends to shed light on segregation, it also allows for the reader to engage in experiences of the African-American culture, creating empathy and camaraderie through Woodson’s words.

The most intriguing feature of this memoir is that it is a compilation of poems. The book is divided in five parts, each appropriately titled for the theme and main idea of the events in that specific moment of her life. Each part contains a variety of poems, ranging from long narratives to haikus. As is the case with poetry, many literary devices were used, such as similes, metaphors, personification, and imagery. Woodson’s poems paint vivid pictures while telling simple events that include playing outside, sharing food, and riding a bus. In the back of the book, Woodson pens a note, explaining how she acquired so much information about her childhood even though most of the memoir was written when she was too young to remember. She explains that family helped piece together the gaps in her memory and also acted as inspiration for her poetry. The book also includes photographs of every person mentioned in the memoir, providing the reader an even deeper connection.

Brown Girl Dreaming is appropriate for any age level. Although the back of the book states it is for ages 10 and up, I do not believe there is a reason to withhold the book from younger elementary students. The book does not contain explicit scenes or language, and on the contrary, provides amazing insight into culture, poetry, and autobiographies. In retrospect, this book creates many teaching opportunities. Any teacher looking to engage students during a social studies lesson that revolves around segregation will find this useful, as students can pinpoint scenes in the book where the author felt outcasted. Since it is compiled of poems, the students will also have the opportunity explore different types of poetry and analyze poetic devices. In a universal sense, this book allows the reader to connect to the African-American culture. While this notion may seem futile for some, it is important to remember that every person experiences culture a different way, and for some students, this book will be a new cultural experience.

A true strength of Brown Girl Dreaming is the format. Poetry is intimate. It allows the writer to express themselves in a different way than just telling a story so straightforward. Because the author decided to use her poetic voice, the reader is engaged in a different way. One must think deeper to understand poetry fully; it is a deeper connection that involves intrinsic thought. I believe poems helped Woodson develop pathos efficiently in her writing. Nostalgia sets in for a family that the reader has never met. Sadness sinks into the reader for events they did not live.

I was brought to tears a few times throughout this book. I could not help but relate to the author as she spoke of the love she had for her grandparents. It hits close to home, as my daughter is extremely attached to my parents. For Jacqueline and my daughter, those grandparents played the role of another parent, and it hurt to read when she was torn away from them. It also brought about memories when I was a young child, always attached to my mother’s hip. Bittersweet to remember, but better to not forget.

If readers are looking for a similar tale with a similar format, Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai is a must. The memoir tells the stories of a young girl fleeing from Vietnam and immigrating to the United States.

If you are interested in Jacqueline Woodson’s inspirations and reasonings behind Brown Girl Dreaming, the interview below provides interesting facts and tales that did not make it to the final edit of the memoir.

Woodson, J. (2014). Brown Girl Dreaming. New York City, United States of America: Puffin Books.

Lai, T. (2013). Inside Out & Back Again. New York City, United States of America: HarperCollins.