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marieintheraw's review
4.0
An excellent segway into middle grade by Brandy Colbert that leaves me wanting to read more backlist and frontlist titles from her.
librarydosebykristy's review
4.0
This was such a great slice of life middle school story. I loved all of the characters and was truly delighted to spend time with them. Colbert touches on a lot of different experiences, mean girls, friendship changes, puberty, racial microagressions. It was pitch perfect for its intended age group and I really respect and appreciate when that happens. Also fantastic on audio.
laura_cs's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Alberta loves her small beach town, surfing, her art-loving fathers (Dad and Elliott), and butter-pecan ice cream. What she doesn't love? Being one of the few Black people in town. So she is thrilled when she learns that the new owners of the Bed and Breakfast are Black... and the daughter is exactly her age. Black lipstick-wearing, Brooklyn-native, Goth Edie isn't initially what Alberta expects, but the two become fast friends. Which is good, because Alberta's relationship with her best friend is on the rocks, and Alberta feels like she's being left behind as Laramie grows up. Add in some complicated feelings when her pregnant birth mother, Denise, comes to stay with Alberta and her fathers while her husband is out of the country for business, and Alberta's got a lot on her mind. And then Edie shows her a mysterious find in her attic bedroom: old journals from a mysterious woman named Constance. Who was she, and how did her journals end up in the B&B?
A fantastic book about finding your place, exploring the past, navigating complicated middle school friendships, and growing up in general, "The Only Black Girls in Town" is a delightful middle grade debut from Colbert, who has graced YA readers for years with her work. Alberta is such a sweet protagonist, and she works on learning how to stand up for herself, speak her mind, and be comfortable with who she is while figuring out how to move forward from the awkwardness of being a seventh grader.
Alberta loves her small beach town, surfing, her art-loving fathers (Dad and Elliott), and butter-pecan ice cream. What she doesn't love? Being one of the few Black people in town. So she is thrilled when she learns that the new owners of the Bed and Breakfast are Black... and the daughter is exactly her age. Black lipstick-wearing, Brooklyn-native, Goth Edie isn't initially what Alberta expects, but the two become fast friends. Which is good, because Alberta's relationship with her best friend is on the rocks, and Alberta feels like she's being left behind as Laramie grows up. Add in some complicated feelings when her pregnant birth mother, Denise, comes to stay with Alberta and her fathers while her husband is out of the country for business, and Alberta's got a lot on her mind. And then Edie shows her a mysterious find in her attic bedroom: old journals from a mysterious woman named Constance. Who was she, and how did her journals end up in the B&B?
A fantastic book about finding your place, exploring the past, navigating complicated middle school friendships, and growing up in general, "The Only Black Girls in Town" is a delightful middle grade debut from Colbert, who has graced YA readers for years with her work. Alberta is such a sweet protagonist, and she works on learning how to stand up for herself, speak her mind, and be comfortable with who she is while figuring out how to move forward from the awkwardness of being a seventh grader.
emilyready's review
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
christiana's review against another edition
4.0
Exactly what I want middle grade to be. This book is like if New Kid and Twelve had a book baby in the best way possible!
domarisdione's review
5.0
I was so enthralled that I was disappointed to have it end. I wish it had sequels!
kimbyy's review
2.0
all the social stuff is handled well & the historical emphasis is good. just didn't connect with the characters as much as i would have liked