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Big Girls Don't Cry
Growing up in a loving and supportive middle-class family in Washington, DC, in the '60s, Naomi Jefferson worries about what to wear, her bra size and meeting boys, and she has dreams of one day opening her own clothing store. While she knows racism is a problem (occasional brushes with the uglier side of people don't let her forget it), Naomi is, at heart, just like any other teenage girl.
All of that changes when Joshua, Naomi's older brother, is killed in an accident on his way to a civil rights demonstration in Chicago. Racism becomes a personal issue, and Naomi decides that she needs to help bring about changes in the system. At college in Atlanta, she becomes immersed in politics, organizing protests and butting heads with school administrations as well as with her boyfriend, who isn't too friendly to the cause. Disillusioned by authority figures and betrayed by the man she loves, Naomi returns home, confused about the world and her place in it.
All of that changes when Joshua, Naomi's older brother, is killed in an accident on his way to a civil rights demonstration in Chicago. Racism becomes a personal issue, and Naomi decides that she needs to help bring about changes in the system. At college in Atlanta, she becomes immersed in politics, organizing protests and butting heads with school administrations as well as with her boyfriend, who isn't too friendly to the cause. Disillusioned by authority figures and betrayed by the man she loves, Naomi returns home, confused about the world and her place in it.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published April 4, 1996
17 people are currently reading
3095 people want to read
About the author
Connie Briscoe
14 books377 followersCONNIE BRISCOE has been a full-time published author for more than ten years. Born with a hearing impairment, Connie never allowed that to stop her from pursuing her dreams…writing. Since she left the world of editing to become a writer, Connie has hit the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 58 reviews
June 7, 2019
I love me some Connie Briscoe!!
February 14, 2010
This is the Connie Briscoe I love. She stepped up her game with this title. I loved that the Civil Rights Movement was the backdrop to this story. I love even more she didn't hit you over the head with it, she wove it beautifully into the characters lives. This was the story of Naomi and her family from the late 60's to the mid eighties. It starts with the main character in middle school and ends with her fulfilling a life-long dream even though there were plenty of personal and professional obstacles to hurdle. If you liked PG County and Sister's and Lover's this is another good read from Briscoe.
July 26, 2023
It took me a million years to read this but it was really good. Watching Naomi grow from a naive little girl/teen to a tech power house was amazing. It was so sad when her brother tragically passed away and I was happy when she was able to get out of her depression. There were times Naomi got on my nerves and she seemed a bit uppity (getting in a Cadillac) but I have to remember it was a different time. Good read.
January 12, 2018
I read this every 2 to 3 years because I have a personal connection with Naomi. I remember dtoooing out of college and reading this book... I felt so inspired to try again. I remember reading this book after I graduated and didn't know what direction my life should go... And feeling inspired yet again.
Naomi's life mirrors mine in so many ways. I love reading this because not only can I see how far she has grown as a character but how far I have grown as a woman! I fell in love with this book over 15 years ago and I still love it now.
Dean isn't as romantic as I remember but that's life. Guys are complicated and often very foolish so this is to be expected. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this again!
Naomi's life mirrors mine in so many ways. I love reading this because not only can I see how far she has grown as a character but how far I have grown as a woman! I fell in love with this book over 15 years ago and I still love it now.
Dean isn't as romantic as I remember but that's life. Guys are complicated and often very foolish so this is to be expected. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this again!
February 2, 2022
Second reading: I didn't realize how much Naomi's relationships factored into this book.
Check out my full review on my blog:
https://introvertinterruptedcom.wordp...
Check out my full review on my blog:
https://introvertinterruptedcom.wordp...
August 2, 2008
The story of a young black woman's life journey to fulfillment in the 1960s. All the key issues are addressed including civil rights, affirmative action and general prejudice.
July 13, 2025
Really good, powerful, made me cry at the end. I had the complaint that you can tell the author is a romance novelist by trade as the romantic relationships were more of a focus than I expected but I also thing she showed how easily the man in your bed can be your biggest enemy and the fight against the patriarchal/racist system doesn’t always stop in intimate relationships with men. I’m thrilled she ended up with dean and how he showed he has values and morals beyond the rest even in his proposal. Love them so happy for them. Also the epilogue was great, it felt like just a perfect summary of the book and the perfect ideal ending I’m so happy for Naomi
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2019
it's okay.
July 15, 2015
Amazingly written book! I really loved the characters, their stories and the backdrop of African American history peppered throughout! I loved that it took place during the 60s, 70s, & 80s! Witnessing life and history through the eyes of the main character, Naomi, was just awesome. I also loved the personal touches to her journey such as childhood issues, her college days, her professional and personal life. 5 stars & a huge kudos to Connie for this great book!
June 1, 2018
Book📚: Big Girls Don’t Cry by Connie Briscoe
One of my all time favorite books. I read it when I was much younger, but the themes are more relevant and impactful to me now. Timeless coming of age story! If you’ve made it this far and haven’t read it, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy!
One of my all time favorite books. I read it when I was much younger, but the themes are more relevant and impactful to me now. Timeless coming of age story! If you’ve made it this far and haven’t read it, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy!
June 14, 2014
took me way longer than it should have. but it was well worth finishing
November 19, 2016
Great book
June 6, 2019
The book encompasses important themes prevalent to the black american experience... racism, discrimination, mental health, etc.
Naomi's struggles to advance in a society that is designed to not let her prosper (at least not at the same rate as her racial and sexual counterparts) makes her adversaries very relatable to colored women of all ages. The resistance she undergoes allows her to become even more adaptable to the social and political climate, but in no way does she allow it to hinder her progress. Aware that her success is not just her own, she works towards making her visions a reality despite the pressures and insecurities placed against her. Her will to break barriers and her determination to live beyond the status quo alters the perspectives of those around her and ultimately contributes to the long term advancements of colored woman.
This is certainly a good read!
Naomi's struggles to advance in a society that is designed to not let her prosper (at least not at the same rate as her racial and sexual counterparts) makes her adversaries very relatable to colored women of all ages. The resistance she undergoes allows her to become even more adaptable to the social and political climate, but in no way does she allow it to hinder her progress. Aware that her success is not just her own, she works towards making her visions a reality despite the pressures and insecurities placed against her. Her will to break barriers and her determination to live beyond the status quo alters the perspectives of those around her and ultimately contributes to the long term advancements of colored woman.
This is certainly a good read!
October 13, 2020
3.5 stars I was originally going to give 3 stars but the end kind of pulled it together for me. I enjoyed going back in time with the black girl from the South growing up thru the 50's and 60's going to college in the 70's and becoming a career woman in the 80's. It follows her they racism, death, love, glass ceiling. I thought the main character Naomi was a bit whiny for my taste and absolutely boy crazy but I loved how she pulled herself together and triumphed despite obstacles, even some she brought on herself. Again, I loved the ending. Solid book, but not a re-read for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2018
Highly recommened. I wish I had read this book in high school. It takes you on a complete journey of the life of a middle-classed black girl during a recently desegregated time period. It provides hope and displays all of the things a young girl goes through with liking boys and her first heartbreak, all the way to her career path and choices. It's refreshing to read something that's about just a regular ole black girl coming into her own.
December 4, 2019
Have you ever had that book that you said when I have kids I want to share this with them. For me this is that book. Set in the area that I live Naomi was a well developed charecter. It showed the ups and downs of puberty, love, loss, family, and growth. I love the progession in the book. I can reread any time.
February 1, 2020
An engaging story with an extremely likable protagonist who goes from a person firmly entrenched in a middle class, conventional background, to a fiery activist who is suddenly aware of all that is wrong with the world. Terrific story!
January 12, 2025
This book was so cool. Civil rights era coming of age novel of a young black woman who can do anything. Literally the story is just so good too and I love reading about her relationships and personal development so much. I also think I read it at an amazing point in my life. Yay!
July 7, 2017
My go-to book whenever life gets me down.
July 16, 2018
Such a great coming of age story!!
September 3, 2019
An enjoyable read
October 11, 2019
One word: EXCELLENT
March 14, 2023
Read many, many years ago
August 17, 2023
I’ve read and reread this book so many times. Great read from beginning to end.
June 10, 2017
I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I felt the weight of what the main character was going through and felt bad because of it. On the other hand, I can't deny that I appreciate an author who can make me feel that way.
Big Girls Don't Cry is the kind of book every African American girl should have handy. The main character has had so much happen to her that I feel like she is relatable to most AA women. Her thoughts echo the thoughts of so many of us that her destination feels earned. Her life is the depiction of the "hard work pays off" motto. Although I think the ending was a bit too neat, I really can't complain because this is fiction and the writer just happen to choose an ending that was a mixture of realism and fantasy. It was a nice balance. Plus, it's kind of a breath of fresh air to read about that motto coming to fruition in a way that doesn't feel at all forced.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who reads the title and the synopsis and thinks it's worth reading. You'll get what you came for and it's definitely worth the read.
Big Girls Don't Cry is the kind of book every African American girl should have handy. The main character has had so much happen to her that I feel like she is relatable to most AA women. Her thoughts echo the thoughts of so many of us that her destination feels earned. Her life is the depiction of the "hard work pays off" motto. Although I think the ending was a bit too neat, I really can't complain because this is fiction and the writer just happen to choose an ending that was a mixture of realism and fantasy. It was a nice balance. Plus, it's kind of a breath of fresh air to read about that motto coming to fruition in a way that doesn't feel at all forced.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who reads the title and the synopsis and thinks it's worth reading. You'll get what you came for and it's definitely worth the read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2016
This is a well-written novel which begins in the early 1960's and ends in the 1990's, revolving around the coming-of-age and adult adventures of a young Black woman from Washington, D.C.
Naomi Jefferson, the protagonist of this wonderful story, is a passionate and idealistic girl who after the horrifying death of the brother she adores, goes through a whole lot of pain and a whole lot of confusion as to her place in life. Throughout it all, she eventually discovers her true path in life, the meaning of strength, and the importance of honoring the woman she really is.
I really enjoyed this book! Connie Briscoe evokes the atmosphere of 1960's Washington, D.C. so perfectly - the details and nuances of Black middle-class life ring true! The rough edges of the racism young Naomi, her mother, and her brother Joshua encounter in one scene, when they accidentally cross into Virginia, is a powerfully written part of the story that begins the trajectory of Naomi's life, propelling her towards a life of advocacy in more ways than one. It's a pivotal moment in her life, showing her the raw realities that lie beyond the safe and warm world her parents have built for her.
Her brother, a dedicated young man who becomes a civil rights activist, dies in a tragic car crash by the end of the decade. The turmoil of the era, the pain of losing her brother, and the desire to fight the injustices she feels ultimately helped in taking her brother's life, pushes her into a realm of activism herself. Throughout it all, she struggles to find the right place in her life, romantically, and encounters one man after another who takes advantage of her open-heart and the certain dream of marriage she has clung to. At the same time, her mother and father struggle to pick up the fragments in the aftermath of their beloved son's death, something that it seems Naomi has yet to fully resolve in her heart.
The way Briscoe intertwines the chaos of the times, political advocacy and the critical issues surrounding the Black community's fight for justice into the day-to-day lives of Naomi and her family, is genius! It personalizes a larger history, putting it within a framework we all identify with: loyalty, remembrance and ambition. It feels fresh, never like a "stuffy" historical fiction piece. Nothing about the story is outdated, as I couldn't help comparing the ongoing struggle for justice, the Black Lives Matter movement and the kind of future they are working towards, to young sisters and brothers like Naomi and Joshua--just trying to make their society a little more fair. A little more honest. A little more just.
Briscoe is a terrifically talented writer able to explore a variety of themes and emotions in a cohesive, raw and powerful way. Her characters never get preachy when they discuss the rights and history of Black people and the movement they are committed to. It's a natural, organic flow of dialogue and action that both authentically move the plot forward and reveal additional layers of the characters. She is AWESOME with character development! By the time I'd finished Big Girls Don't Cry, I felt as if I had come to truly know the kind of people the Jeffersons were, as if they were personal acquaintances, and I was sad to see the journey come to an end.
If you love stories set in the 1960's, with vibrant and third-dimensional African-American characters, I would highly recommend you get to your local library or bookstore and pick up Big Girls Don't Cry. Connie Briscoe has just become a new favorite of mine, and this book made me want to read everything else she's written!
Naomi Jefferson, the protagonist of this wonderful story, is a passionate and idealistic girl who after the horrifying death of the brother she adores, goes through a whole lot of pain and a whole lot of confusion as to her place in life. Throughout it all, she eventually discovers her true path in life, the meaning of strength, and the importance of honoring the woman she really is.
I really enjoyed this book! Connie Briscoe evokes the atmosphere of 1960's Washington, D.C. so perfectly - the details and nuances of Black middle-class life ring true! The rough edges of the racism young Naomi, her mother, and her brother Joshua encounter in one scene, when they accidentally cross into Virginia, is a powerfully written part of the story that begins the trajectory of Naomi's life, propelling her towards a life of advocacy in more ways than one. It's a pivotal moment in her life, showing her the raw realities that lie beyond the safe and warm world her parents have built for her.
Her brother, a dedicated young man who becomes a civil rights activist, dies in a tragic car crash by the end of the decade. The turmoil of the era, the pain of losing her brother, and the desire to fight the injustices she feels ultimately helped in taking her brother's life, pushes her into a realm of activism herself. Throughout it all, she struggles to find the right place in her life, romantically, and encounters one man after another who takes advantage of her open-heart and the certain dream of marriage she has clung to. At the same time, her mother and father struggle to pick up the fragments in the aftermath of their beloved son's death, something that it seems Naomi has yet to fully resolve in her heart.
The way Briscoe intertwines the chaos of the times, political advocacy and the critical issues surrounding the Black community's fight for justice into the day-to-day lives of Naomi and her family, is genius! It personalizes a larger history, putting it within a framework we all identify with: loyalty, remembrance and ambition. It feels fresh, never like a "stuffy" historical fiction piece. Nothing about the story is outdated, as I couldn't help comparing the ongoing struggle for justice, the Black Lives Matter movement and the kind of future they are working towards, to young sisters and brothers like Naomi and Joshua--just trying to make their society a little more fair. A little more honest. A little more just.
Briscoe is a terrifically talented writer able to explore a variety of themes and emotions in a cohesive, raw and powerful way. Her characters never get preachy when they discuss the rights and history of Black people and the movement they are committed to. It's a natural, organic flow of dialogue and action that both authentically move the plot forward and reveal additional layers of the characters. She is AWESOME with character development! By the time I'd finished Big Girls Don't Cry, I felt as if I had come to truly know the kind of people the Jeffersons were, as if they were personal acquaintances, and I was sad to see the journey come to an end.
If you love stories set in the 1960's, with vibrant and third-dimensional African-American characters, I would highly recommend you get to your local library or bookstore and pick up Big Girls Don't Cry. Connie Briscoe has just become a new favorite of mine, and this book made me want to read everything else she's written!
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January 8, 2009Love and Purpose
Even in the 60's the main issue for a teenager appears to be doin' it! In the middle class section of Washington, D.C. Naomi Jefferson lives a normal life that is occasionally spoiled by racism.
"Normality" appears to dip off when Joshua, her older brother dies. Now the differences between race in America becomes a very personal plight as Naomi is set on honoring her brother.
This girl just can't get it together. Leaving too many regrets and bumpy roads back in Atlanta. Naomi returns to her parents' where she finds work in a city councilman's office. With no room for advancement and the weight of an unhappy relationship Naomi finds herself back off to school.
In time Naomi joins a consulting firm, and is engaged. Just as she's passed over for a different position things in her life seem to be oh so hectic. Only to add the sudden knowledge of a teen age boy that is her brother's son. Is this true? Naomi is determined that her nephew will have the opportunities that her brother didn't.
As Naomi battles daily with issues of family obligations is there room for love?
Tee mentioned she was reading "Big girls don't cry" I found out that she was speaking of an anthology that is currently out. Although I read this some years back; I liked Connie Briscoe's read.
Even in the 60's the main issue for a teenager appears to be doin' it! In the middle class section of Washington, D.C. Naomi Jefferson lives a normal life that is occasionally spoiled by racism.
"Normality" appears to dip off when Joshua, her older brother dies. Now the differences between race in America becomes a very personal plight as Naomi is set on honoring her brother.
This girl just can't get it together. Leaving too many regrets and bumpy roads back in Atlanta. Naomi returns to her parents' where she finds work in a city councilman's office. With no room for advancement and the weight of an unhappy relationship Naomi finds herself back off to school.
In time Naomi joins a consulting firm, and is engaged. Just as she's passed over for a different position things in her life seem to be oh so hectic. Only to add the sudden knowledge of a teen age boy that is her brother's son. Is this true? Naomi is determined that her nephew will have the opportunities that her brother didn't.
As Naomi battles daily with issues of family obligations is there room for love?
Tee mentioned she was reading "Big girls don't cry" I found out that she was speaking of an anthology that is currently out. Although I read this some years back; I liked Connie Briscoe's read.
January 9, 2009
Love and Purpose
Even in the 60's the main issue for a teenager appears to be doin' it! In the middle class section of Washington, D.C. Naomi Jefferson lives a normal life that is occasionally spoiled by racism.
"Normality" appears to dip off when Joshua, her older brother dies. Now the differences between race in America becomes a very personal plight as Naomi is set on honoring her brother.
This girl just can't get it together. Leaving too many regrets and bumpy roads back in Atlanta. Naomi returns to her parents' where she finds work in a city councilman's office. With no room for advancement and the weight of an unhappy relationship Naomi finds herself back off to school.
In time Naomi joins a consulting firm, and is engaged. Just as she's passed over for a different position things in her life seem to be oh so hectic. Only to add the sudden knowledge of a teen age boy that is her brother's son. Is this true? Naomi is determined that her nephew will have the opportunities that her brother didn't.
As Naomi battles daily with issues of family obligations is there room for love?
Tee mentioned she was reading "Big girls don't cry" I found out that she was speaking of an anthology that is currently out. Although I read this some years back; I liked Connie Briscoe's read.
Even in the 60's the main issue for a teenager appears to be doin' it! In the middle class section of Washington, D.C. Naomi Jefferson lives a normal life that is occasionally spoiled by racism.
"Normality" appears to dip off when Joshua, her older brother dies. Now the differences between race in America becomes a very personal plight as Naomi is set on honoring her brother.
This girl just can't get it together. Leaving too many regrets and bumpy roads back in Atlanta. Naomi returns to her parents' where she finds work in a city councilman's office. With no room for advancement and the weight of an unhappy relationship Naomi finds herself back off to school.
In time Naomi joins a consulting firm, and is engaged. Just as she's passed over for a different position things in her life seem to be oh so hectic. Only to add the sudden knowledge of a teen age boy that is her brother's son. Is this true? Naomi is determined that her nephew will have the opportunities that her brother didn't.
As Naomi battles daily with issues of family obligations is there room for love?
Tee mentioned she was reading "Big girls don't cry" I found out that she was speaking of an anthology that is currently out. Although I read this some years back; I liked Connie Briscoe's read.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 58 reviews