Biography

Significant works

Bibliography & target audience

Major themes

Strengths & reservations

During her childhood, Woodson ob-

served the civil rights movement and

the tension between different racial

groups in the United States (sit-ins,

marches, the Black Panthers, etc. )

Desegregation in South Carolina -

Woodson witnessed people treating her

family unfairly. Often times her grand-

mother would follow, and advise the

Woodson children to adhere to, segre-

gation practices (even when they were

outlawed) for their safety.

Along with many African-American fam-

ilies, Jacqueline’s family moved from the

south to northern states.

Woodson’s Aunt Caroline died in a tragic

fall

Her Uncle Robert spent time in jail, and

later taught Jaqueline about the Islam

Jaqueline Woodson is openly gay, she

has a partner and two children

Jaqueline Woodson was born on February 12, 1963 at University Hospital in Columbus,

Ohio. Her family would soon relocate and call both South Carolina and New York, their

home towns. Woodson’s family plays a strong role in molding her during her childhood.

She was raised by her mother, grandmother and grandfather and grew-up with three

siblings, an older sister, Odella and two younger brothers Hope and Roman. As a child

Jaqueline was exposed to the vestiges of segregation and learned the values of being a

Jehovah’s Witness. Woodson has always enjoyed writing, and later earned a B.A. in

English from Adelphi University in 1985.

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Source: Woodson, Jacqueline. Brown Girl Dreaming. New York: Nancy Paulsen, 2014. Print.

An award-winning young adult and children’s book author

By: Sarah Breslaw

Woodson, Jacqueline. Last Summer with Maizon. New York: Delacorte, 1990. Print.

Woodson, Jacqueline. The Dear One. New York, N.Y.: Delacorte, 1991. Print.

Woodson, Jacqueline. Maizon at Blue Hill. New York, N.Y.: Delacorte, 1992. Print.

Woodson, Jacqueline. Between Madison & Palmetto. New York: Delacorte, 1993. Print.

Woodson, Jacqueline. I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This. New York: Delacorte, 1994. Print.

Woodson, Jacqueline. From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun. New York: Blue Sky, 1995. Print.

Woodson, Jacqueline. The House You Pass on the Way. New York: Delacorte, 1997. Print.

Woodson, Jacqueline. Lena. New York: Delacorte, 1999. Print.

Woodson, Jacqueline. Miracle's Boys. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2000. Print.

Woodson, Jacqueline. Hush. New York: Putnam's, 2002. Print.

Woodson, Jacqueline. Locomotion. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2003. Print.

Woodson, Jacqueline. Feathers. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2007. Print.

Woodson, Jacqueline. After Tupac & D Foster. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2008. Print.

Woodson, Jacqueline. Peace, Locomotion. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2009. Print.

Woodson, Jacqueline. If You Come Softly and Behind You. Omnibus ed. New York: Puffin, 2011. Print.

Woodson, Jacqueline. Beneath a Meth Moon: An Elegy. New York: Speak, 2012. Print.

Woodson, Jacqueline. Brown Girl Dreaming. New York: Nancy Paulsen, 2014. Print.

Note: Children’s picture books written by Jaqueline Woodson are not included in this list

Brown Girl Dreaming is a memoir, written in verse, gives readers insight into the life and experiences of Jaqueline Woodson.

Strengths and/or reasons to use or teach works: This book has been recognized with a Coretta Scott King Award, Newberry Honor Award and National Book Award. This non-fiction piece can be used when students are learning about de-scriptive writing/imagery and the experience of African Americans in the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Feathers is centered around Frannie, a young girl growing up amid the racial ten-sion in the 1970’s. Her experiences shows her the value of friendship, hope and family; and causes her to question her beliefs.

Strengths and/or reasons to use or teach works: This book includes many themes that young readers are beginning to explore in their personal life: what do they believe? Who do they choose as friends? What do they value or think is the right thing to do? Moreover, this novel introduces readers to Sean (Frannie’s older brother) an important character that is deaf.

This novel, written as a collection of poems, captures the story of young Lonnie Collins Motion. As a 5th grade project, Lonnie writes heartfelt poems that reveal the tragic accident his family endured, how he’s had to cope, and his hopeful outlook.

Strengths and/or reasons to use or teach works: This book includes a variety of poetry styles: free verse, haiku, and sonnets. Students reading and learning to write poetry will benefit from reading novel

From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun documents Melanin’s discovery that his mother is in a relationship with a white woman. Melanin struggles to figure out what this means for him, and how others will react.

Strengths and/or reasons to use or teach works: This book addresses the hurtful words that are used to describe people part of the LGBTQ community, and how these words have taken on negative meanings. This is a book that promotes open-ness and equality. (Note: “fag” and “dyke” appear repeatedly)

Multi-cultural relationships, families, and views

Faith/religion/hope

The African-American experience

Identity/ sexual orientation

Promotes equality

Strong family bonds

Segregation/racial tension in the United States

Audience Key:

White =High School

Yellow =Middle School

www.penguin.com/static/images/yr/pdf/tl-guide-jacquelinewood.pdf

www.jacquelinewoodson.com

www.teachingbooks.net/author_collection.cgi?id=50&a=1

Reading Rockets. "Transcript from an Inter-view with Jacqueline Woodson." Reading Rockets. 12 Aug. 2013. Web. <http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/woodson/transcript>

Woodson, Jacqueline. "Jacqueline Woodson." Jacqueline Woodson. Web. 9 Apr. 2015. <http://www.jacquelinewoodson.com/>

Woodson, Jacqueline. Brown Girl Dreaming. New York: Nancy Paulsen, 2014. Print.