Yes, technically this is considered to be a YA book, largely because Woodson is one of the most acclaimed/celebrated/decorated authors of books for young people. And if I had a pre/teen, I would insist they read this, along with all her other terrific novels. I would go so far as to argue that in light of the recent events in Ferguson and Staten Island, Brown Girl Dreaming might just be the perfect and essential text for discussing civil rights with younger adults. But that doesn't mean it isn't beautifully written and fully enjoyable for a grown-ass person either, because it is certainly one of my favorite books published this year.

Brown Girl Dreaming is a semi-autobiographical prose-poem account of Jacqueline Woodson's childhood in the South during the Civil Rights movement. Although it's an era in history with its fair share of excellent literature, nothing about Brown Girl Dreaming reads like cliche and Woodson's perspective and memories feel so fresh and alive.