There are lots of books out there that advocate for Black and brown girls. This current offering gets real: readers will find plenty of affirmative messages and exhortations to do their best, but the breezy informal language and relatable personal anecdotes also deal directly with racism, discrimination, microaggressions, and misogyny. Harts, also the author of the best-selling adult book The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Get a Seat at the Table (2019), addresses similar issues here for her younger audience. The first-person text addresses readers directly, and topics include success in school and extracurriculars, friends and relationships, and overcoming self-doubt and impostor syndrome. The brief chapters are set off with sub-headings, there are bulleted lists, main ideas highlighted in bold font, and prompts for self-reflection. There's also helpful back matter: a discussion guide for adults; realistic advice for white parents and caretakers; general questions about big matters like colorism and racism, and a list of resources. Hart's adult book got lots of attention; expect the same for this current offering, deservedly so.

A book championing the beauty, vulnerability, and resilience of Black and brown girls. Harts, who includes her lived experiences as a Black girl and woman, delivers a handbook for girls of color growing up in a world that is often prejudiced against them. Harts acknowledges the very real and significant hurdles and obstacles that are faced by Black and brown girls in particular. Questions throughout prompt further introspection and help them tackle situations that influence identity formation. The importance of friendships--forming, maintaining, and maybe even ending them--and finding one's voice and using it to advocate for oneself and others are among the valuable topics covered. Using an empathetic, compassionate, and uplifting tone, Harts helps readers love the skin they're in, despite those who may discourage them from doing so, and find and follow their dreams. She steers readers toward answers to challenging questions and complex situations. Ideal for Black and brown girls in need of counsel and support and those who care for them, this book is also beneficial for those outside the target demographic, as it contains advice that serves to make for a better and more inclusive society. Backmatter addresses both adults teaching and caring for girls of color as well as White adults and also includes prompts and discussion questions. A love letter to Black and brown girls and an acknowledgement of the real work it takes to make magic. (Nonfiction. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.