For Black Girls Like Me
By:
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 true friend.
Through it all, Makeda can’t help wondering: 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.
ISBN: 9780374308049
JLG Release: Sep 2019
Sensitive Areas:
Mild language, Racism, Racial slur, Attempted suicide, Mentions of drug use, Mentions of nudity
Topics:
Identity
, African Americans
, Interracial adoption
, Family problems
, Homeschooling
, Moving households
, Bipolar disorder
, Sisters
Awards & Honors
SLJ Best Books - 2019
CPL Best Books - 2019
Praise & Reviews
Starred or favorable reviews have been received from these periodicals:
Publishers Weekly*, School Library Journal*, Booklist*
School Library Journal
Makeda loves her parents and sister, but that doesn’t make her feel any less different. A 12-year old transracial adoptee, Keda is all too familiar with the confused stares and intrusive questions of people who don’t understand a Black girl with a white family. Her dad’s new job takes them from Baltimore to Albuquerque, NM, bringing with it a Makeda loves her parents and sister, but that doesn’t make her feel any less different. A 12-year old transracial adoptee, Keda is all too familiar with the confused stares and intrusive questions of people who don’t understand a Black girl with a white family. Her dad’s new job takes them from Baltimore to Albuquerque, NM, bringing with it a new school with new kids and leaving behind Lena, Keda’s best friend and fellow transracial adoptee who understands her struggles. Keda’s sister Elle seems to be more into boys and magazines than spending time with her nowadays, and mom is acting more unpredictable than ever, sleeping all day or shredding her sheet music from her bygone violinist career. When a family tragedy shakes up her whole life, Makeda discovers a well of strength from which she must draw every ounce. Lockington’s middle grade debut is a gorgeous, tender depiction of a young Black girl seeking the space to thrive. The abundant microaggressions and overt racism Keda faces from her classmates, teachers, and even her parents sting in their authenticity. The depiction of a parent’s suicide attempt is not graphic, but may benefit from being discussed with a trusted adult. The narrative is interspersed with poetic, dreamy ruminations on Keda’s place in the world and the lineage that has seemed lost to her for so long. 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. An essential purchase for all collections.
Book Details
ISBN
9780374308049
First Release
September 2019
Genre
Fic
Dewey Classification
[Fic]
Trim Size
8 1/4" x 5 1/3"
Page Count
336
Accelerated Reader
Level 3.5; Points: 7;
Scholastic Reading Counts
N/ALexile
N/AFormat
Print Book
Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Potentially Sensitive Areas
Mild language, Racism, Racial slur, Attempted suicide, Mentions of drug use, Mentions of nudity
Topics
Identity, African Americans, Interracial adoption, Family problems, Homeschooling, Moving households, Bipolar disorder, Sisters,
