Bibliographic Information:
Title: Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of Teenage Wizard
Author: Echo Brown
ISBN: 978-1250309853
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Copyright Date: January 14, 2020
Reading Level / Interest Level: Min/Max grade levels 9-12 (Novelist).
Genre / Format: African American Fiction, Autobiographical Fiction, Magical Realism, Coming-of-Age / Book
Themes: Poverty, Family Issues, Generational Trauma, Identity
Awards or Honors: William C. Morris Award Finalist (2021)
Plot Summary: This semi-autobiographical story follows Echo Brown from a young age of six to right before graduating high school. Echo lives in section eight housing with her two younger brothers, her drug-addicted mother, and her alcoholic absent stepfather. As Echo grows up she begins to develop strange magical powers. One day, she discovers that she is actually a wizard and she must learn how to harness her powers before they, and her environment, consume her. Echo soon learns that she is not the only one in danger as there is a dark veil enveloping everyone around her. Despite the difficult, impossible circumstances growing up, Echo finds magic in resilience and learns to survive and live.
Author Background: Echo Brown is from the East Side of Cleveland, Ohio and has a background in the visual arts as an actor and playwright. She has written a one-woman show, Black Virgins Are Not For Hipsters, which Alice Walker (The Color Purple) praised as being "stunning and powerful" (Macmillan Publishers, n.d.). Her ability to explore a situation from various perspectives comes through in her work.
Critical Evaluation for Books and Non-Print Items: The structure of the book can be a bit confusing at times and the "misleading" title doesn't help very much either. However, at some point in the book, it is made pretty clear that the magic Echo mentions, the wizard training and lessons discussed throughout the book, are all metaphors. Echo is viewing the bleak surrounding through magic-lenses, putting a magical filter, in order to make sense of the nonsensical violence and hurt around her. The magic is not "real" but the pain and suffering Echo is experiencing is very real; the magic comes from the ability to get back up and marching forward, taking initiative, and taking matters into your own hands when those around you are clearly not able to help.
The book again, uses magic to dampen the blow from some of the more traumatic scenes. The author is examining difficult, dark, depressing subjects and themes like physical and sexual abuse, generational trauma, mental health issues, identity issues, racism, and drug addiction. For the readers, like it was for the primary character, magic can be used to make sense of the chaos. You have the ability to take control over your situation, no matter how bad it gets.
Throughout the book there are various scenes that are broken up by falling dots (...) and it can be confusing as to which scene we are currently in. The author likes to jump back and forth across time, adding to the confusion. It can be a bit jarring but I thought of these as being smooth transitions, like falling into a delusional dream to escape from the harshness of reality.
The shell -- This metaphor is used by Echo in the beginning of the book to explain her mother's hard, mean exterior built by layering years of resentment, self-hate, bitterness, and disillusionment. There are moments where her mother softens up and puts down this shell but most of the time, Echo doesn't see this real part of her mother. Most of the time, her mother, and many others in her community, wear this protective shell to protect themselves from further harm. Echo must navigate her section-8 community with her younger brother alone, as her mother is addicted to "the shiny white rocks" and her stepfather is absent. As the Echo gets older and experiences more trauma, she begins to form her own shell and finds it harder to connect with those around her.
Creative Use for a Library Program: Teens will choose their favorite wizard lesson (out of the 19 found throughout the book) and come up with a visual representation (drawing, painting). The art will be displayed in the teen art gallery along with the wizard lesson that inspired its creation.
Breaking Down the Shell: Teens will boil an egg and try to remove the egg shell in as few pieces as possible -- winner will receive a library-branded water bottle.
Speed-Round Book Talk or Short Book Trailer: Through Black Girl Unlimited we follow Echo Brown's life as she navigates her way in the East Side of Cleveland, Ohio where there is much poverty, and parents worship white rocks. Echo Brown uses her new-found magical power to navigate her way through poverty, racism, and sexual violence. This autobiographical fiction will keep you hooked, cheering Echo on.
Wizard Training Lesson #13: "Choose to uncover your true potential regardless of the obstacles in front of you" (Echo Brown, author)
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation: This book talks about some pretty heavy subjects; not all parents will appreciate the library promoting a book that explores extreme poverty, drug addiction, and rape. Some may accuse the book of perpetuating the well-intentioned, but still harmful, idea of the black woman being superhuman and indestructible. This mentality is why violence against women of color is not taken seriously. Echo goes from one traumatic event to the next and the men who hurt her never face any consequences, despite the community knowing who they are. These are all important topics that the book sheds light on, which is why I decided to include it. The author does not claim that any of this is justified or that women are indestructible, she presents her experiences as they happened.
Reason for Inclusion: This is an autobiographical work -- it does have elements of fiction. The writing is a bit experimental, with the story jumping across time and between scenes; exposing readers to this style can show them that you can have fun with the structure of your story.
Despite the fictional elements, this is an autobiographical work grounded in reality that explores very real, relevant issues. There are teenagers who are experiencing similar struggles right now (drug addiction, broken families, generational trauma, poverty, etc). This is an authentic story that explores the story of a marginalized group in a captivating, engaging way.
Enhancements:
"Just because we're magic doesn't mean we're not real." (Jesse Williams at the 2016 BET Awards)
There Are No Promised Lands | Echo Brown | TEDxSoMa (2017)
Cleveland native Echo Brown shares her story to inspire others
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