Sugar in the Raw

December 30, 1996
In Sugar in the Raw: Voices of Young Black Girls in America, Rebecca Carroll profiles 15 of the more than 50 girls, ages 11-20, she interviewed throughout the country. Singly and together, they speak eloquently for the generation of young women coming of age in a complex world. Carroll writes in her introduction: "many black girls don't know that individual accountability is not a myth or a crime: It is what makes it possible for us to live together on the planet as human beings." Her work is enabling and enlightening. The foreword is by Ntozake Shange.

January 22, 1998
YA-A collection of 15 spirited and thought-provoking monologues based on conversations and interviews the author held with over 50 young black women. The selections reflect the girls' diverse experiences, attitudes, and dreams, and represent a broad spectrum of social class and geographical regions. Jo-Laine of Brooklyn, NY, observes, "The kind of girl I am has everything to do with the kind of woman I think I'll be. I know that I am bold and straightforward. When it comes time to deal with boys and whatnot, I will make clear who I am and how I expect to be treated." Aisha, of Seattle, WA, declares, "My strong suit is what I can do with my mind and my personality. Yes, I am beautiful, too, but it's not a priority to me." Reacting to the author's project, Reni of Birmingham, AL, says, "I think the concept of this book is very inspirational because it is so important for black girls to hear what other black girls are thinking. People create who they are based on their experiences with and their exposure to other people." The book is entertaining and instructional both for what it tells readers about the hearts and minds of black teens and for the model it serves for those who want to learn to evoke personality and power in their own writing.-Cynthia J. Rieben, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA