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For Black Girls Like Me

Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Makeda June Kirkland is an eleven-year-old Black girl adopted by a white family. As she moves from Maryland to New Mexico, she struggles with feeling different and left out at home and school. Through her love of singing, dreaming, and secret letters exchanged with her best friend Lena, Makeda explores her identity and finds her place in the world.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2499

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This title is in-stock with overseas suppliers. While it is not available locally, we fly books in weekly from the US and UK to our Auckland warehouse for immediate dispatch.

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for middle-grade readers interested in stories about family, identity, and belonging, especially those curious about transracial adoption and cultural diversity.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

A debut middle grade novel about an African American girl who was adopted into a white family. This lyrical and personal story--inspired by the author's own life-- explores the complexities of family, race, sisterhood, and belonging.

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

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

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, Lenaโ€”the only other adopted black girl she knowsโ€”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.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Today Show Best Children's Book of 2019, The Guardian Best Book of 2019, Good Morning America Recommended Read, and a 2020 ALA Notable Middle-Grade Novel. Praised for its tender and versatile depiction of a young Black girl navigating transracial adoption, it has earned five starred reviews and accolades from Booklist, School Library Journal, ALSC, Junior Library Guild, and more.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781250250322

Publisher: St Martin's Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 April 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: St Martin's Press

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 27.0mm

Width: 133.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 270g

Pages: 336

About the Author

Mariama J. Lockington is an adoptee, writer, and nonprofit educator. She has been telling stories and making her own books since the second grade, when she wore short-alls and flower leggings every day to school. Her work has appeared in a number of magazines and journals, including Buzzfeed News Reader, and she is the author of the poetry chapbook The Lucky Daughter. Mariama holds a master's in Education from Lesley University and master's in fine arts in poetry from San Francisco State University. She lives in Lexington, Kentucky with her partner and dapple haired dachshund, Henry.

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