For Black Girls Like Me

Name: For Black Girls Like Me
ISBN: 9780374308049

by Mariama J Lockington

Subject: Family - Adoption
Age: 9-12 years
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 336
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Byr)
Size: 14.5 cm × 21.3 cm
ISBN: 9780374308049

In this lyrical coming-of-age story about family, sisterhood, music, race, and identity, Schneider Family Book Award and Stonewall Honor-winning author Mariama J. Lockington draws on some of the emotional truths from her own experiences growing up with an adoptive white family.

I am a girl but most days I feel like a question mark.

Makeda June Kirkland is eleven years old, adopted, and black. Her parents and big sister are white, and even though she loves her family very much, Makeda often feels left out. When Makeda's family moves from Maryland to New Mexico, she leaves behind her best friend, Lena— the only other adopted black girl she knows— for a new life. In New Mexico, everything is different. At home, Makeda’s sister is too cool to hang out with her anymore and at school, she can’t seem to find one real friend.

Through it all, Makeda can’t help but wonder: What would it feel like to grow up with a family that looks like me?

Through singing, dreaming, and writing secret messages back and forth with Lena, Makeda might just carve a small place for herself in the world.

For Black Girls Like Me is for anyone who has ever asked themselves: How do you figure out where you are going if you don’t know where you came from?

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What reviewers said

*A Today Show Best Children's Book of 2019!*
*The Guardian Best Book of 2019!*
*A Good Morning America Recommended Read!*
*A 2020 ALA Notable Middle-Grade Novel!*
*A Booklist 2019 Editors' Choice!*
*A School Library Journal Best Book of 2019!*
*An ALSC Notable Book!*
*A Junior Library Guild Selection!*
*A Bank Street Best Book of the Year!*
*A 2020 Charlotte Huck Recommended Book!*
*A Chicago Public Library Best Book for Young Readers!*
*A Cooperative Children's Book Center Choice!*
*A Cooperative Children's Book Center Book of the Week!*
*A Book Depository Best Book of 2019!*
*A Denver Public Library…

"Lockington’s middle grade debut is a gorgeous, tender depiction of a young Black girl seeking the space to thrive . . . the versatility of its style and structure means this novel could be used in many group discussions centering topics from transracial adoption to genre-blending literature. VERDICT An essential purchase for all collections."

School Library Journal, starred review

"An outstanding middle grade debut . . . With intimate authenticity, she explores how fierce but “colorblind” familial love can result in erasure and sensitively delineates the pain of facing casual racism, as well as the disconcerting experience of being the child of a mentally ill parent."

Publishers Weekly, starred review

"In this #OwnVoices middle-grade debut, Lockington captures the joy and angst of transracial adoption . . . an authentic and intimate portrayal . . . this is a necessary read for girls struggling with identity and purpose within their families, as well as a powerful coming-of-age story of Black womanhood."

Booklist, starred review

"Distinctive, lyrical prose with poems interspersed throughout. Keda's world is richly drawn and seamlessly presented in a strong, authentic voice. This magnificent middle grade debut from Mariama J. Lockington is an absolute gift of a book."

BookPage, starred review

"Lockington's focused imagery and impressively balanced rhythm between prose and poetry share the perspective of a black girl trying to find a place in her community and in her family."

Shelf Awareness, starred review

For Black Girls Like Me

What reviewers said