56 pages • 1 hour read
Jacqueline WoodsonBrown Girl Dreaming
Nonfiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Middle Grade | Published in 2014A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson is a memoir in verse detailing her childhood, family history, and the beginning of her writing journey. Woodson, born in Ohio, experiences life in both the North and the South, navigating family separations, religious upbringing, racial prejudice, dyslexia, and the civil rights movement, while forming lasting friendships and discovering her passion for storytelling. The book references the incarceration of a family member.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson combines poetic narrative and rich imagery to portray her youth in the segregated South and later in Brooklyn. Praised for its lyrical prose and emotional depth, the book is accessible and engaging for young readers. However, some critics felt the poetic structure may not appeal to all. Overall, it is a compelling, evocative memoir.
Who Should Read Brown Girl Dreaming?
Ideal for fans of The House on Mango Street, readers who savor poetic prose and coming-of-age stories will find Brown Girl Dreaming captivating. Jacqueline Woodson’s memoir in verse appeals to those interested in themes of identity, family, and history, particularly within the context of African American experiences.
RecommendedReading Age
10-14yearsLexile Level
990LBook Details
Race / Racism
Identity: Race
Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Relationships: Family
Narrative / Epic Poem
Auto/Biographical Fiction
Children's Literature