Black Child to Black Woman by Cheryl Denise Bannerman
Paperback: 188 pages
Publisher: AuthorHouse (July 29, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9781452035789
ISBN-13: 978-1452035789
Publisher: AuthorHouse (July 29, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9781452035789
ISBN-13: 978-1452035789
Source: Signed copy given to me for review by Cheryl Denise Bannerman
About the Book:
Black Child to Black Woman is a 'live diary' experience that will grab your attention right from the start. Tara Walker speaks directly to the reader as she adds entry after entry into her Journal. She documents her experiences, her family life, her triumphs, as well as her interpretation of life and the world as she saw it. As she grows, so does the language and tone of the diary, which matches her maturity and speech patterns as the time passes. Experiences are mere images engraved in our minds that we recall when future events occur such as a tragedy or even when a song is playing on the radio. Tara has captured those moments in time in her diary, even the painful ones. Although she came from a loving home with both parents, she struggled to come to grips with siblings addicted to drugs, molestation, attempted rape, broken hearts, and so much more. Her diary experiences will make you laugh, cry, scream, sigh, and gasp aloud. As Tara struggles to keep her head above water and fight through the tribulations of her life, she continues to smile, continues to grow as a person, continues to be successful in her career, and continues to survive. Through it all and through her daughter, she eventually discovers the true meaning of unconditional love. Come discover life through the eyes of Tara as she grows from a black child to a black woman.
About the Author:
Cheryl McNeil (pen name, Cheryl D. Bannerman, her birth name) is CEO of a small virtual training company based out of Central New Jersey. She works out of her home office and creates classroom training materials, e-Learning modules, job aides and much more for corporate employees and their clients. She holds a Bachelors in Business Management and a Masters in Project Management. She is also the (divorced) single mother of a beautiful eleven year old girl.
In her spare time she loves to read murder mysteries, watch movies, try new restaurants and cuisines, shop with her daughter, and in the summer, walk the boardwalk and take in the sun on the beach. Although her works are fiction, she has incorporated many of her life's experiences into her stories.
My Review:
I loved the way this book was written--like a journal. It was like taking a step right into Tara Walker's life from when she was 9 until she is in her 30's. I got to read all of her deepest thoughts--things that probably not many people in her life knew about. The only thing I thought was kind of strange is that she was writing in her journal at graduation, but I guess it could happen?
Tara is a comical little girl. She talks about mom being mad at her dad for drinking "acka-hall (that's a bad drink)" p. 2. I just felt like I was right there with her going through the events of her life. She had ups and down in her life, but she was always such a positive spirit! She really went through some pretty heavy situations like her brothers being into drugs, being molested. and just the other events that a girl goes through.
A few of the Quotes I liked:
A few of the Quotes I liked:
I always, and I mean always, do my work, finish my work, and then help others finish their work. What I wear, what I eat, how I dress, or how I wear my hair should not be an issue. P74
I am just plain tired of people criticizing me for my looks, my clothes, and my accomplishments, as if I could stop being light-skinned or start dressing ugly and like a slob to make them happy. Or perhaps I should stop making the Honor Roll for them. Would that make you happy Bitches?!! I am who I am that's all there is to it. I admit that because of how people judge and criticize that it has been a lonely life so far and I'm sure it will continue to be one far into my future...at least when it comes to female associates. p82
I would definitely recommend this book. It's a nice and quick book to read. I liked the way the book was put in journal format and it went from playing dressup, to losing virginity, to being a grown woman. Not too mention the author has such a cool name!
My Rating:
5/5 diamonds - highly recommend!
Check out an interview with Cheryl at beyondthebooks.wordpress.com
Visit her tour page at Pump Up Your Book, http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2010/10/02/black-child-to-black-woman-virtual-book-tour-october-10/
Visit her website at http://www.bannermanbooks.com/
Disclaimer: I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist. They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.
This book sounds amazing. I love books that are written like a journal/Diary. I definitely wanna get this book.
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