For Black Girls Like Me

IamagirlbutmostdaysIfeellikeaquestionmark.MakedaJuneKirklandiseleven-years-old,adopted,andblack.Herparentsandbigsisterarewhite,andeventhoughshelovesherfamilyverymuch,Makedaoftenfeelsleftout.WhenMakeda'sfamilymovesfromMarylandtoNewMexico,sheleavesbehindherbestfriend,Lena—theonlyotheradoptedblackgirlsheknows—foranewlife.InNewMexico,everythingisdifferent.Athome,Makeda’ssisteristoocooltohangoutwithheranymoreandatschool,shecan’tseemtofindonerealfriend.Throughitall,Makedacan’thelpbutwonder:Whatwoulditfeelliketogrowupwithafamilythatlookslikeme?Throughsinging,dreaming,andwritingsecretmessagesbackandforthwithLena,Makedamightjustcarveasmallplaceforherselfintheworld.Inthislyricalcoming-of-agestoryaboutfamily,sisterhood,music,race,andidentity,MariamaJ.Lockingtondrawsonsomeoftheemotionaltruthsfromherownexperiencesgrowingupwithanadoptivewhitefamily.ForBlackGirlsLikeMeisforanyonewhohaseveraskedthemselves:Howdoyoufigureoutwhereyouaregoingifyoudon’tknowwhereyoucamefrom?,