The Only Black Girls in Town

Alberta, a 12-year-old surfer living in coastal California with her two dads, has always been the only Black student at her school in Ewing Beach. When Edie, a Black girl from Brooklyn, moves in across the street, the two form an unexpected connection despite their different personalities and interests. As the girls navigate middle school together, they face both personal and social challenges - from shifting friendships and family changes to ongoing experiences of racism and microaggressions in their predominantly white community. Their lives take an intriguing turn when they discover mysterious old journals in Edie's attic, leading them to investigate the story of a young Black woman from the 1950s. Through its exploration of identity, friendship, and history, the novel examines how young people find their place in a world that doesn't always make space for them. The story weaves together contemporary experiences of Black girlhood with historical connections to the past.

Readers describe this middle-grade novel as a relatable coming-of-age story that handles complex themes like racism, friendship, and identity with sensitivity. Many reviewers note the authentic portrayal of microaggressions and subtle discrimination that Black girls face. Readers appreciated: - Natural, realistic dialogue between characters - The blend of contemporary issues with historical elements - Representation of diverse family structures - The authentic depiction of middle school social dynamics Common criticisms: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few readers wanted more development of secondary characters - The historical diary subplot felt disconnected for some Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (200+ ratings) BookPage: 5/5 "The friendship between Alberta and Edie feels genuine and unfolds naturally," noted one Goodreads reviewer. Another reader on Amazon commented, "The historical elements add depth but occasionally interrupt the main story's flow."

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🌟 Surfing plays a significant role in the story, reflecting a growing movement to make the historically white-dominated sport more inclusive for Black youth and other people of color. 🌟 Author Brandy Colbert won the Stonewall Book Award for her young adult novel "Little & Lion," which explores themes of sexuality, mental health, and family relationships. 🌟 The book addresses "microaggressions" - subtle forms of discrimination that many students of color experience in predominantly white schools, contributing to important conversations about racial awareness in middle-grade literature. 🌟 The story incorporates dual timelines through the discovered journals, connecting modern-day experiences with historical events, a sophisticated literary technique rarely used in middle-grade fiction. 🌟 The representation of a two-dad household adds to the growing body of LGBTQ+ inclusive middle-grade literature, which has seen significant growth since 2010.