Grown: The Black Girls’ Guide to Glowing Up
Authors Melissa Cummings-Quarry and Natalie A. Carter know that growing up as a girl is often difficult, but growing up as a Black girl can be much more challenging. Grown, their carefully curated and lovingly crafted guide, is an educational and fun book aimed at teaching young Black girls (and other girls of colour) how to navigate the different challenges they may face.
Written in a conversational style, the book delves into a host of different topics, ranging from skin and hair care tips to sympathetic but pragmatic explorations of race and society. As the authors proclaim, this book is a love song to Black girls everywhere.
And as a biracial woman, this reviewer would have loved a book like this for her teenage self.
With its quirky layout and eye-catching illustrations and colour scheme, this book does a great job of being an educational tool, a reflective journal and a self-help guide all in one. Throughout the book are quotes from famous and inspirational Black women, which offer positive affirmations and encouragement to its young readers. This offers a lovely sense of community while also encouraging resilience and promoting success.
Although the book is largely aimed at a UK readership (in terms of cultural references and the slang/language used), it’s applicable to girls of colour everywhere. It normalises the heavy conversations around racism, gender and sexuality without being preachy and allows room for reflection and growth. A highly recommended and thoroughly enjoyed read.
