Brown Girl Dreaming

A non-fiction book about Jacqueline Woodson growing up as an African American. This story will help teachers provide a perspective to their students about the civil rights movements and the life of African Americans during this era. Jacqueline, or Jackie, was born in Columbus, Ohio, and grew up in the Northeast and South United States during the 1960s. Most of her childhood is spent growing up in the North, but she visits her mother’s parents often in the South. They live in Greenville, South Carolina where there is rampant racism and segregation. Jackie’s father has arguments about this with his wife Mary Ann and her parents end up splitting up. Soon after, her mother moves Jackie and her siblings to the South. Jackie begins to like South Carolina, the beauty of the area, and spending time with her grandparents. Regardless of the racism, there are people that respect Jackie and her family. Jackie’s mom decides to move back North and eventually takes everyone with her. In New York, Jackie makes friends and wishes to become a writer after reading many books and poems. Things are difficult for Jackie’s family when she learns her brother is sent to prison and then her grandfather Gunnar from South Carolina starts dying. Eventually, Gunnar dies, and Jackie’s grandmother moves to Brooklyn to live with the family.

Woodson, J. (2016). Brown girl dreaming. Nancy Paulsen Books.