Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

 

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Woodson, Jacqueline. 2014. BROWN GIRL DREAMING. New York: Nancy Paulsen Books. ISBN 978-0-399-25251-8. 

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

This novel in free verse is autobiographical.  Jacqueline Woodson tells her story of growing up and of being from Ohio, South Carolina, and New York.  The chapter poems create a genealogy, giving dynamic, endearing details of her loved ones while she describes the ins and outs of growing up. The book touches on significant civil rights issues, but from a child’s limited perspective. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This story is beautifully written. Woodson’s words are simple, but powerful.  The free verse form of the book gives life to the hopes and dreams of a young girl.  

The child narrator freely gives grace and forgiveness to the flawed adults in her life story. The reader wonders if Jacqueline understands the events and actions of her adults, or if she is just observing their behaviors. Jackie speaks so matter-of-factly about the losses or hardships in her life.  But even when she does, she mentions it briefly and then moves on quickly to the next thing. 

The space Woodson uses is nearly as potent as the words she uses.  She creates space between her verses for listening and wonder. She also regularly employs parallel structure for emphasis.  

Her unique experiences of moving around the country provides the reader with different depictions of life in different black or diverse communities. Woodson skillfully juxtaposes her life in South Carolina with her life in New York City, neither perfect nor incomplete.  

4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Coretta Scott King Author Award, 2015

Newbery Honor winner, 2015

National Book Award winner

Kirkus Reviews Starred, 2015: “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.”

Booklist starred, August 2014: “Her mother cautions her not to write about her family, but, happily, many years later she has—and the result is both elegant and eloquent, a haunting book about memory that is itself altogether memorable.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Use specific poems, like “gunnar’s children” as an example and assign students to write descriptive poems about a loved one. 

*Other engaging books of free verse for middle graders:

Alexander, Kwame. THE CROSSOVER. ISBN 978-0544935204

LaRocca, Rajani. RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE. ISBN 978-0063047426

Warga, Jasmine. OTHER WORDS FOR HOME. ISBN 978-0062747815