Poetry #3 - Brown Girl Dreaming

Author: Jacqueline Woodson

Credit: Jacqueline Woodson

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Woodson, Jacqueline. Brown Girl Dreaming. New York: Penguin, 2014. ISBN 978-0-399-2521-8

PLOT SUMMARY

Brown Girl Dreaming is a powerful autobiography written in free verse during the 1960's and 1970's about a young African American girl and her struggles during the Civil Rights Era. As the world changes around her, she struggles to find her place in the world.

Credit: Jacqueline Woodson

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Jacqueline Woodson writes a beautiful novel by using her own voice to share her stories with the world. The novel is written in free verse, by using her carefully chosen words she creates emotions and feelings that explode off the page. For example: 

My southern grandfather missed slavery by one generation. 

His grandfather has been owned. 

His father worked

the land from dawn till dusk

for the promise of cotton

and a little pay.

So this is what he believe in

your hands in the cool dirt

until the earth gives back to you

all that you've asked of it.

Credit: Brown Girl Dreaming - Jacquelin Woodson

Woodson begins her novel with a family tree and ends with actual photographs of characters you read about in Brown Girl Dreaming, bring her novel even more to life with long and short poems. Woodson shares her life, her pain and her dream of growing up in the south. This is a beautiful book and truly enjoyed reading about her life.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS

* A Coretta Scott King Award Winner - 2015

* Newbery Honor Book - 2015

* National Book Award Winner for Young People’s Literature - 2014

* Woodson cherishes her memories and shares them with a graceful lyricism; her lovingly wrought        vignettes of country and city streets will linger long after the page is turned. - Kirkus Review

* The writer’s passion for stories and storytelling permeates the memoir. - Publisher's Weekly

CONNECTIONS

Activities to use with this book:

* Create a family tree
* Discuss the following themes that were discussed in the book: family, friendship, home, self-        discovery, growing up and historical people and events.

* Research Civil Rights Movement and discuss with the class.

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Book Connections:

* The Other Side - ISBN 9780399231162 
* Each Kindness ISBN 9780399246524
* Coming On Home Soon ISBN 9780399237485

* Blog created for the purpose of TWU, Children's Literature Course #5603, and for the love of reading!