Synopsis
Written as a collection of vignettes and poetry, The Unboxing of a Black Girl is a creative nonfiction reflection on Black girlhood. The debut YA title, by award-winning author Angela Shanté, is a love letter to Black girls set in New York City and serves as a personal and political critique of how the world raises Black girls.
As Shanté navigates the city through memory, she balances poetry with vignettes that explore the innocence and joy of childhood eroded by adultification. Through this book, she illuminates the places where Black girls are nurtured or exploited in stories and poems about personal and political boxes, love, loss, and sexual assault. Many entries are also studded with cultural footnotes designed to further understanding.
Review/thoughts
This book is written in verse and poetry, making it a unique and engaging read. I truly enjoyed personal experiences growing up in the Bronx, reflecting on her childhood while also exploring the expectations society places on Black women—how we are told to act, the roles we are assigned, and the boxes others put us in based on gender and race. She examines how Black women are often labeled as “strong” and expected to carry immense responsibilities—fighting for our children, education, family, home, and ensuring everything stays intact.
I deeply resonated with this book because, as a Black woman, I saw my own experiences reflected in the author’s words. Everything she discusses feels authentic, and it was refreshing to read from someone who shares similar views.
The writing is beautifully done, and I appreciated that the author included notes at the end of each verse for easy understanding and classification. Overall, this was a stunning, insightful read. If you love poetry and want a different perspective on some of the shared experiences of Black women, I highly recommend it.
**Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐**
