A review by beverleefernandez
A Surprised Queenhood in the New Black Sun: The Life & Legacy of Gwendolyn Brooks by Angela Jackson

3.0

I read A Surprised Queenhood in the New Black Sun with the expectation of learning about Gwendolyn Brooks and I wasn’t disappointed. Ms. Jackson recalls the events of Miss. Brooks’ life through her artistry. Set in Chicago, Gwendolyn Brooks grew up in a home that nurtured her talent. The Brooks were not a wealthy family, but that did not stop them from encouraging Miss. Brooks to write. Her talent was God given and she also attended school, though she was not classically trained as a writer. What appealed to me the most was Miss. Brooks’ legacy of paying it forward. She always made time for the young poets of the next generation. She encouraged and challenged them to be their best. I also admire Miss. Brooks’ willingness to move beyond mainstream acceptance to celebrate and love self and community. My reason for three stars is I felt the book could have been edited for grammar. I don’t think sentence fragments belong in non fiction work. That flaw aside, I think this book is a great introduction to Gwendolyn Brooks. I’m 37 and her poetry wasn’t taught in my required high school English classes, though I had some exposure in an African American Literature class (we real cool). I’ve never been a poetry fan, but I want to read Annie Allen to build upon what I’ve read.