The Only Black Girls in Town
| Industry | Publishing |
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| Products | Books |
The Only Black Girls in Town is a middle grade novel released in 2020 by Brandy Colbert. It tells the story of two Black middle school girls who connect through their shared racial identity and uncover a mysterious journal hidden in their attic.
Background
Writing for the middle grade audience presented a challenge for Colbert, who sought to craft a narrative that would have resonated with her younger self. The idea emerged from envisioning a protagonist convinced she was the sole Black girl in her community until another girl moves nearby. Colbert has mentioned authors like Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary as inspirations.
Plot
Set in Ewing Beach, California, the story centers on Alberta, a compassionate 12-year-old girl living with her two fathers. Being the only Black student at her school subjects her to bullying and subtle racial slights. Her world changes when Edie, a goth girl from Brooklyn, becomes her neighbor. They form a friendship grounded in their mutual experiences with racism. Despite facing social obstacles and familial difficulties, their bond deepens after discovering journals that tell the tale of a Black woman who passed as white during the 1950s in Ewing Beach.
Reception
The Only Black Girls in Town received starred accolades from Booklist, BookPage, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, and Shelf Awareness.
Shaunterria Owens of Booklist described it as an "extraordinary middle-grade debut" that weaves Black history into the story without being preachy. Heather Seggel of BookPage praised Colbert’s subtle portrayal of racism alongside well-developed characters. Both Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly lauded the characters for their authenticity and vulnerability, with Publishers Weekly highlighting Colbert’s engaging depiction of friendship and identity themes.
Desiree Thomas from School Library Journal referred to the novel as "thoughtful," focusing on how friendships evolve through racial connections. Clarissa Hadge at Shelf Awareness commented on Colbert’s straightforward writing style tackling difficult topics such as racism, bullying, and adolescence. Deborah Stevenson of The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books recognized the effective combination of middle-school relationships and racial microaggressions, noting that while some elements of the diaries may stretch credibility, the book remains insightful and accessible.
Awards and honors
Selected by the Junior Library Guild, The Only Black Girls in Town was also named a Notable Children's Book by the Association for Library Service to Children in 2021. Additionally, it received a nomination for the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award in 2023.