Brown Girl Dreaming
Author: Jacqueline WoodsonPublisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Year Published: 2014
Genre: Historical Non-fiction;
Autobiography/Biography; Poetry
Reader Recommendation:
- Grades 5 and up
- Readers who enjoy poetry style books
- Readers who prefer real-life stories/non-fiction
- Female perspective
- Readers who appreciate and connect to multicultural literature
Jacqueline Woodson recounts her childhood story through free verse poetry. Simple, interconnected stories weave together Jacqueline’s life both in the south and in New York during times of segregation. Her family goes through many transitions as she adjusts to life without her father, who leaves, and moves from the south to New York with her mother and siblings in hopes of a better life. Jacqueline was always “a girl dreaming” as she grew up fascinated by letters and desired to be a writer. Jacqueline dreamt of a better life and believed in the untapped potential within herself and each individual.
Why this Book?:
Woodson’s poems follow no formal rules and are the essence of free-verse poetry, exposing readers to a different way to tell stories. The title, Brown Girl Dreaming, speaks to the theme of Woodson’s childhood. Jacqueline Woodson uses this generality in her title as her story can speak to many African-American girls who grew up exposed to segregation. As a child, her identity was still being shaped by the people and situations that surrounded her. Watching her Grandmother continue to sit in the back of the bus helped her know that she wanted to be someone who was brave and unafraid to sit in the front. Throughout the book she is “dreaming” of a new and peaceful life (for her and her family), of being a writer, of being in New York when she is in the south and in the south when she is in New York. This theme of dreaming and hoping is present in each individual who goes through adolescence and self-discovery.
Themes:
Civil Rights/Segregation: In the south, segregation is alive and active for the Woodson family. Marching and protesting goes on as African-Americans fight for Civil Rights. Woodson grew up experiencing this segregation and hoped to one day be brave enough to stand against it.
Family: A big part of Jacqueline's story revolves around her relationship with her immediate family and relatives who shape her and teach her about the world she lives in.
Childhood/Innocence: Jacqueline is speaking from the perspective of a young girl. Her childlike innocence contributes to her capacity to dream and wonder.
Belonging: Jacqueline is torn between her home in the south and in New York as both becoming defining places for her.
Units: Civil Rights, Growing Up, Finding Where You Belong, Poetry Unit
Teaching Brown Girl Dreaming:
Create your Family Tree (Connecting Activity): In the beginning of the book, Woodson gives readers her family tree. Have students create their own to think about their own family and how it is connected.
Poetry/Writing Poetry: Students can explore the elements of poetry and free verse poetry as well as create their own. Students can write free verse poems like the ones in the story about some of their own experiences growing up.
History of Segregation: (Background Knowledge) Students can focus on the time period and look to primary sources and news paper articles about the marching/protests that went on during this time.
Title of Book: Discuss with students: What is the significance of the title "Brown Girl Dreaming"? Why would Jacqueline Woodson choose this title? Have students give details from the story to support their thoughts.
Additional Resources:
"Exploring Perspectives on Desegregation Using Brown Girl Dreaming"
Lesson Plan: http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/exploring-perspectives-desegregation-using-31133.html
Teacher's Guide to Woodson's Books: http://www.penguin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Woodson_Guide_15_6p_WEB.pdf
Author Website: http://www.jacquelinewoodson.com/
Author Information, Other Titles
Teaching Ideas/Resources:
http://www.literacyworldwide.org/blog/literacy-daily/2014/10/02/putting-books-to-work-i-brown-girl-dreaming-i-
Google Cultural Institute (African-American Civil Rights Movement):
https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/entity/m0d2c9
Primary Sources
Listen to Jacqueline Woodson Read:
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