Brown Girl Dreaming Flashcards
When Jackie’s mom goes to the city to see if they could live there, she sends them letters and a special object.
What was the object? Why was it significant?
She sent Jackie a “brown-skinned” doll This was the first time Jackie saw a “brown-skinned” doll and it signifies that Blacks were gaining in prominence in American society, at least in the North.
What does Jackie’s mom iron every time they go to Sunday church?
Ribbons
What does Jackie notice when she looks at her mom and dad’s expressions in their wedding photo?
She notices that neither of them are smiling.
What genre is Brown Girl Dreaming and what makes the text of the book unique?
It is an autobiography of Jaqueline Woodson written in prose.
In what era (historical) did Jacqueline Woodson grow up? Cite an example state in the book to support this.
She grew up during the Civil Rights Era. Prominent people like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. are referred to in the early chapters of the book. Also mentioned were, 1) “coloreds” were expected to sit in the back of the bus, 2) Blacks were not to look Whites in the eye; they were expected to look down, 3) Segregated drinking fountains, 4) Freedom riders, etc.
When Jackie’s mother moves from the South to New York, Jackie’s grandmother requires the children to go to her church. What faith is the church?
Jehovah’s Witness
What are some of the things Jackie could not do that her classmates could because she was a practicing Jehovah’s Witness?
She could not celebrate holidays or participate in birthday parties in the classroom.
Jackie enjoys learning and sharing her family history. What genetic characteristic do many members of her southern family share?
They have a gap between their two front teeth.
What is the connection between the title and the book?
The main character, Jackie, dreamed of being a writer. She is the author of this and many other books.
Through writing books, the author learns her life’s calling. What is her life mission?
The author, Jaqueline Woodson, writes that her life’s work is to make the world a better place just like her ancestors, who came before her, did.
At the end of the book, what important message does the author share with the reader?
No matter who you are, you decide each word and each story of your life, and ultimately what the ending will be.
