Black Girl Unlimited


Book Description

A William C. Morris Award Finalist "Brown has written a guidebook of survival and wonder."—The New York Times "Just brilliant."—Kirkus Reviews Heavily autobiographical and infused with magical realism, Black Girl Unlimited fearlessly explores the intersections of poverty, sexual violence, depression, racism, and sexism—all through the arc of a transcendent coming-of-age story for fans of Renee Watson's Piecing Me Together and Ibi Zoboi's American Street. Echo Brown is a wizard from the East Side, where apartments are small and parents suffer addictions to the white rocks. Yet there is magic . . . everywhere. New portals begin to open when Echo transfers to the rich school on the West Side, and an insightful teacher becomes a pivotal mentor. Each day, Echo travels between two worlds, leaving her brothers, her friends, and a piece of herself behind on the East Side. There are dangers to leaving behind the place that made you. Echo soon realizes there is pain flowing through everyone around her, and a black veil of depression threatens to undo everything she’s worked for. Christy Ottaviano Books




The Chosen One


Book Description

This memoir filled with “overwhelming emotions and power” (The Mary Sue) testifies to the disappointments and triumphs of a Black first-generation college student in this exploration of the first-year experience. There are many watchers and they are always white. That’s the first thing Echo notices as she settles into Dartmouth College. Despite graduating high school in Cleveland as valedictorian, Echo immediately struggles to keep up in demanding classes. Dartmouth made many promises it couldn't keep. The campus is not a rainbow-colored utopia where education lifts every voice. Nor is it a paradise of ideas, an incubator of inclusivity, or even an exciting dating scene. But it might be a portal to different dimensions of time and space—only accessible if Echo accepts her calling as a Chosen One and takes charge of her future by healing her past. This remarkable challenge demands vulnerability, humility, and the conviction to ask for help without sacrificing self-worth. In mesmerizing personal narrative and magical realism, Echo Brown confronts mental illness, grief, racism, love, friendship, ambition, self-worth, and belonging as they steer the fates of first-generation college students at Dartmouth. The Chosen One is an unforgettable coming-of-age story that bravely unpacks the double-edged college transition—as both catalyst for old wounds and a fresh start. Finalist for the Ohioana Book Award A Mary Sue Best YA Novel of the Year 2022 Catalyst Award Nominee for Best Memoir A Junior Library Guild Selection ★ “Powerful and vulnerable"—Booklist, starred review​




Black Girl/White Girl


Book Description

Fifteen years ago, in 1975, Genna Hewett-Meade's college roommate died a mysterious, violent, terrible death. Minette Swift had been a fiercely individualistic scholarship student, an assertive—even prickly—personality, and one of the few black girls at an exclusive women's liberal arts college near Philadelphia. By contrast, Genna was a quiet, self-effacing teenager from a privileged upper-class home, self-consciously struggling to make amends for her own elite upbringing. When, partway through their freshman year, Minette suddenly fell victim to an increasing torrent of racist harassment and vicious slurs—from within the apparent safety of their tolerant, "enlightened" campus—Genna felt it her duty to protect her roommate at all costs. Now, as Genna reconstructs the months, weeks, and hours leading up to Minette's tragic death, she is also forced to confront her own identity within the social framework of that time. Her father was a prominent civil defense lawyer whose radical politics—including defending anti-war terrorists wanted by the FBI—would deeply affect his daughter's outlook on life, and later challenge her deepest beliefs about social obligation in a morally gray world. Black Girl / White Girl is a searing double portrait of "black" and "white," of race and civil rights in post-Vietnam America, captured by one of the most important literary voices of our time.




Black Girl Magic


Book Description

Looking for an engaging book to teach children about loving themselves just the way they are? This is it! In Black Girl Magic: A Book About Loving Yourself, Kaelyn learns to look within to reveal her greatest gifts and talents. Throughout this engaging story, children will learn how to build self-confidence and the process of uncovering their worth, value, gifts, and talents in order to celebrate the uniqueness that comes with them. In this book about confidence and self-esteem, Kaelyn teaches children how important it is to identify their gifts and talents. She encourages children to galvanize their gifts and talents and shares the importance of positivity and optimism. By the end of the book and focusing on the importance of self-worth, confidence, and diversity, Zahra helps kids unlock the real magic within them! About the Author Zahra, a magical little black girl, wants to encourage other magical black girls around the world to see the beauty within themselves and to share that magic with the world! Her love of reading and writing encouraged her to explore the halls of libraries that were often filled with books of characters that did not look like her. Not seeing little girls like herself portrayed in children's books often contributed to her struggle to celebrate her uniqueness and beauty. As a result, Zahra has made it her mission in life to help black girls everywhere on their journey to revealing their magical beauty and celebrating their uniqueness!




The Chosen One


Book Description

"Brown masterfully infuses a memoir of her college years with overwhelming emotions and power. It delves into educational disparities, the impact of trauma, and healing through friendship."--The Mary Sue ★ "Powerful and vulnerable"--Booklist, starred review Echo Brown testifies to the disappointments and triumphs of a Black first-generation college student in this exploration of the first year experience. There are many watchers and they are always white. That's the first thing Echo notices as she settles into Dartmouth College. Despite graduating high school in Cleveland as valedictorian, Echo immediately struggles to keep up in demanding classes. Dartmouth made many promises it couldn't keep. The campus is not a rainbow-colored utopia where education lifts every voice. Nor is it a paradise of ideas, an incubator of inclusivity, or even an exciting dating scene. But it might be a portal to different dimensions of time and space--only accessible if Echo accepts her calling as a Chosen One and takes charge of her future by healing her past. This remarkable challenge demands vulnerability, humility, and the conviction to ask for help without sacrificing self-worth. In mesmerizing personal narrative and magical realism, Echo Brown confronts mental illness, grief, racism, love, friendship, ambition, self-worth, and belonging as they steer the fates of first-generation college students on Dartmouth's campus. The Chosen One is an unforgettable coming-of-age story that bravely unpacks the double-edged college transition--as both catalyst for old wounds and a fresh start. A Mary Sue Best YA Novel of the Year 2022 Catalyst Award Nominee for Best Memoir A Junior Library Guild Selection




Black Girl


Book Description

Black Girl. Who Me? Yes You, Be All That You Can Be: speaks to every girl of color who ever thought they stood out for all the wrong reasons. Black Girl is an inspirational book highlighting girls of color. This book tells each child, teen and woman why she is enough. No matter your age, you may have experienced feeling as if you were not good enough growing up. This book truly represents the uniqueness of each girl. Black Girl speaks to the mindset of our young generation rising, letting them know they are beautiful just as they are.




Dear Black Girl


Book Description

In a world where we are still shouting "Black Lives Matter" it is important to create a safe space for the different sectors of the black race. Black girls are often viewed as loud, boisterous, confrontational and just plain mean. They are placed in boxes and are often times not given the space to allow their light to shine. But, before they can allow their lights to shine, they first have to know that they have a light within. Other people and races are threatened by this inside light that the black girl carries, so sometimes, it is dimmed even before it can be discovered. The idea that a black girl could change the world frightens a lot of demographics and as a result, some black girls never reach their full potential. Unknown self-hate and not being properly nurtured also add to the demise of the light that black girls have in them. As an educator for over a decade, I have encountered several black girls who are afraid to do the work to become who they are destined to be. Others simply do not know how or where to start. As a result, they settle for mediocrity and what seems to be "safe." By no stretch of the imagination is this Dear Black Girl "the gospel." It is merely a guide to offer black girls a different perspective and to add to what they already know. I also hope to shed some light on that which is unknown and tap into untapped inner thoughts. It is my desire that every black girl who reads this book finds something valuable that can be taken away or tucked inside. I hope to plant seeds and allow life to water those seeds. And when those seeds are ready to bloom, she will blossom in full force...becoming the beautiful, amazing, strong, intelligent black girl she was created to be. Dear Black Girl is designed to be interactive. After every chapter, an opportunity for reflection will be provided. It is my desire that reflections will occur for the purpose of enhancement and growth. I believe in black women. I trust black women. I love black women. I am a black woman.




Black Girl In Love (with Herself)


Book Description

Speaker, writer, and producer Trey Anthony breaks it down, giving black women a relatable voice and personalized "keeping it real" to-do list on how to practice self-love and self-care. Therapy is not just for white women-no matter what your momma told you! After a lifetime of never truly relating to the personal development experts because of the color of her skin, Trey Anthony has written the book she needed to read as a black woman trying to navigate a world filled with unique challenges that often acts like she doesn't exist. On the outside Trey Anthony was the overachieving, reliable, and strong black woman she was raised to be, but on the inside the pressure of sacrificing her own needs to please others was building. When her grandmother and mother raised her strong, they also unknowingly taught her that self-love and expressing emotions were weak, creating an unhealthy dynamic that had Trey facing burnout and rock bottom. In Black Girl in Love (with Herself), Trey breaks down the lessons and tools that she used to heal her life, including how to: Set clear and healthy boundaries-even with the people who raised you Quit being the family ATM Sort out who is a real friend, and who is just there for parties and gossip Confront microaggressions at work without missing a beat Forget who black women are "supposed" to be And fall in love with yourself!




The Chosen One


Book Description

This memoir filled with “overwhelming emotions and power” (The Mary Sue) testifies to the disappointments and triumphs of a Black first-generation college student in this exploration of the first-year experience. There are many watchers and they are always white. That’s the first thing Echo notices as she settles into Dartmouth College. Despite graduating high school in Cleveland as valedictorian, Echo immediately struggles to keep up in demanding classes. Dartmouth made many promises it couldn't keep. The campus is not a rainbow-colored utopia where education lifts every voice. Nor is it a paradise of ideas, an incubator of inclusivity, or even an exciting dating scene. But it might be a portal to different dimensions of time and space—only accessible if Echo accepts her calling as a Chosen One and takes charge of her future by healing her past. This remarkable challenge demands vulnerability, humility, and the conviction to ask for help without sacrificing self-worth. In mesmerizing personal narrative and magical realism, Echo Brown confronts mental illness, grief, racism, love, friendship, ambition, self-worth, and belonging as they steer the fates of first-generation college students at Dartmouth. The Chosen One is an unforgettable coming-of-age story that bravely unpacks the double-edged college transition—as both catalyst for old wounds and a fresh start. Finalist for the Ohioana Book Award A Mary Sue Best YA Novel of the Year 2022 Catalyst Award Nominee for Best Memoir A Junior Library Guild Selection ★ “Powerful and vulnerable"—Booklist, starred review​