With raw candor, elicited by Rebecca Carroll's perceptive questioning, 15 black women between the ages of 11 and 18, from places as diverse as Brooklyn and Seattle, Alabama and Vermont, speak out about their inner and outer lives. What they say about identity, self-esteem, the role of race in their perceptions and treatment, personal values, and their hopes for the future is both enlightening and moving. 144 pp. National pubilcity. 15,000 print.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Conducting interviews for Sugar in the Raw, Rebecca Carroll traveled to 12 cities across the country, and talked to more than 50 girls. From that number, she selected 15 who tell their stories in their own words in this stereotype-breaking book. Nicole, a 17-year-old biracial girl living in Vermont, tells us she checks the boxes for every race category on census forms. "You can call me whatever you please," she says, "but I'll still be Nicole." Elsewhere, Laninka, also 17, from Birmingham, Alabama, tells of her love for ballet and African dance, while Sophie, 20, who lives in Freehold, New Jersey, tells of growing up in her adoptive white family and her search for her black identity. Throughout, the girls show their strength and their determination to make a way for themselves in a world that does not always appreciate them.
From School Library Journal
YA?A collection of 15 spirited and thought-provoking monologues based on conversations and interviews the author held with over 50 young black women. The selections reflect the girls' diverse experiences, attitudes, and dreams, and represent a broad spectrum of social class and geographical regions. Jo-Laine of Brooklyn, NY, observes, "The kind of girl I am has everything to do with the kind of woman I think I'll be. I know that I am bold and straightforward. When it comes time to deal with boys and whatnot, I will make clear who I am and how I expect to be treated." Aisha, of Seattle, WA, declares, "My strong suit is what I can do with my mind and my personality. Yes, I am beautiful, too, but it's not a priority to me." Reacting to the author's project, Reni of Birmingham, AL, says, "I think the concept of this book is very inspirational because it is so important for black girls to hear what other black girls are thinking. People create who they are based on their experiences with and their exposure to other people." The book is entertaining and instructional both for what it tells readers about the hearts and minds of black teens and for the model it serves for those who want to learn to evoke personality and power in their own writing.?Cynthia J. Rieben, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Just a short note to say that I purchased this book for two young women (12 & 14). They received the books as christmas gifts. Yes, they would have preferred clothing or cash, but once they started reading they couldn't put it down.
This is the type of book that initiates conversations, questions and thoughts on some of life's harder issues.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This small, paperback captures the emotional tales of young, African American girls from across the United States. Discussions of self-esteem, identity, racism, prejudice, and relationships permeate throughout Rebecca Carroll's book. Readers of all ages amd races come away with a profound understanding of what it means to be Black and female, but most importantly, the pride and strength that these young women carry within themselves in order to survive in America's society. Young girls of this culture will undoubtedly regard this book as a treasured resource since these humorous, personal and frank stories connect them to a sense of comaraderie, support and confidence. Carroll only reveals fifteen of fifty stories, which leaves you wanting and wondering about the rest.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By NappyGirl
Format:Paperback
SUGAR IN THE RAW is an inspiring collection of essays written by 15 African American young women who, as the backcover asserts, "refuse to be ignored."
These girls may share a racial ancestry but their stories are as unique as they are. This thin volume contains essays from young women of all walks of life: from a bisexual homegirl in Portland trying to keep it together to a biracial girl in lily white Vermont coming to terms with who she is, the reader of SUGAR will share in all the girl's excitement, fears and triumphs.
The only drawback is the the book is so short. The editor interviewed over 90 girls from around the country but only 15 are included here. SUGAR can be easily read in one sitting and will leave you wanting more. Hopefully, a SUGAR II is in the works.
All in all, this book would make a great gift for a young woman of any race.
10 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Sugar in the Raw is such a great book. I am a 13 year old girl. Before reading this book I had the idea that all teen girls, no matter what skin color, are going through the same thing. Now that I have finished reading the book, I've learned that black girls are going through the same thing plus more. They have to deal with a lot of prejudice.They must try to prove everyones image of a black girl in America wrong. This image is all wrong and comes from Americas history. Slavery started something that hasn't competely gone away yet. This wrong idea is that white people somehow should rule over black people. That we are somehow better. I don't know how the color of your skin can determine who is better than who. The truth is everyone is unique. Everyone has at least one quality about them that is better than someone else.You can be whatever you want.The only person that determines what you are like is you.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Don't let their grammar fool you. These young girls and teens have a lot on their minds and aren't afraid
to express it and let you know how they truly feel.
to express it and let you know how they truly feel.
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