You Are More Than Magic: The Black and Brown Girls' Guide to Finding Your Voice

by Minda Harts

“Every parent of a Black or brown girl should buy this book, read it to their child, and pass it along to the other parents in their circle.”—Evette Dionne, National Book Award longlisted and Coretta Scott King honor-winning author of Lifting as We Climb

Perfect for graduation gifts and other transitional milestones, this guide is for girls of color looking to find their voice and claim space as they prepare for high school, college, and their careers, from the bestselling author of The What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table.

When you’re a girl of color, figuring out how to find your voice and make sure everyone around you can hear it is essential. CEO and bestselling author Minda Harts knows—she’s been there. And she’s ready to walk you through it all with her own stories of success and the missteps that helped her grow—from running for high school student council when she was barely tall enough to reach the podium, to starting her own com­pany, The Memo LLC, that helps women of color advocate for themselves and their ca­reers. Now she’s here to hype you up and be real with you

Building your what to look for in a friend, finding mentors, and setting boundaries for healthy relationships
Saying what you mean without saying it prepping yourself for self-advocacy, negotiations, and tough conversations
Leaning into affirming yourself, dealing with no’s, and speaking up even when you feel like the “only one”

With lots of practical advice and real-life anecdotes, as well as questions for reflection and further resources, this book is all about finding your own unique path to success—at school, at work, at home, and beyond. Success is far from magical, but you’ve al­ready got the tools you need to figure out your next best moves. And your stand-in big sis Minda is here to help you every step of the way!


* This audiobook includes a downloadable PDF that contains the Discussion Guide, the For White Caregivers of Girls of Color, and the Questions for White Readers sections from the book.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

Audible Audio

Published April 5, 2022

Reviews

[Michelle P · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a mother and a teacher of beautiful black girls, I loved this book! Not only did it inspire me to want to share it with these young ladies in my life. But it also inspired me to have more confidence in my own life.

This book was a great mix of humor, advice, and shared life lessons all in one! I'm so glad that I found out about this book through a chance meeting with a stranger on an airplane.

Once I finished it, I passed it along to my 11-year old daughter. But I definitely plan to revisit it again once she is done.

[DearBookClub · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was at the bookstore to obtain my copy of "You Are More Than Magic" and women of various ages were saying they wish they had a book like this when they were growing up. I finished the first few chapters and wrote down so many gems. I could relate to this book on so many levels. Like the author, Minda Harts, when she moved to Illinois, I also was the only Black person in all of my high-school classes. Trying to fit in and have Black jokes made by your "friends" destroys your confidence. Minda mentions a white friend she had in primary school who she was very close with until the girl referred to her as a "tar baby." As a young person, especially one of color, you want to shrink and dissappear when these type of embarrassing moments happen but Minda encourages readers to lean into their courage and address difficult issues.

One of my favorite chapters was "What About Your Friends," because choosing the right circle is so important as you move throughout your life. Minda state's:

"It's also important to befriend other girls that look like us, so that we don't feel so isolated during those times in our lives when we might not have anyone who looks or identifies the way we do in our classrooms or workspaces"

She talks about high-school and college friends she met that helped her through tough moments in life.
Minda also talks about being able to advocate for yourself whether it is for a job, with a teacher, or with a family member. Minda state's:

"Self advocacy is essential for Black and Brown girls. Harriet Tubman didn't spend over ten years of her life helping more than 300 enslaved people escape to freedom so that you and I could question ourselves"

Self advocacy also helps ward off imposter syndrome, which is also highlighted in this book. She mentions that even former First Lady Michelle Obama struggled with imposter syndrome when she won a prestigious award. Mrs Obama questioned herself, asking whether she had done enough in her career to be worthy of such an award.

This book also discusses how to choose a good mentor, how to improve your communication skills, and how teachers can better serve their students of color. I hope to share this book with as many young souls as possible. This is the second book I have read by Minda Harts. I read her first book, "The Memo," and it is a great tool for people navigating careers in white corporate spaces.

[Jeneva Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have listened to You Are More Than Magic book by Minda Harts via audiobook, and I must say that it's a very insightful book thay applies to various audiences. The nuggets and gems that Harts shares, while reading the audiobook aloud mind you, are from the sincere and loving perspective of a big sister.

In my opinion, this book is for anyone who needs a confidence boost. And as Harts mentioned can be a tool for any caregiver or friend regardless of their skin color to pour into black and brown girls.

As a young adult, I found myself making mental notes throughout this entire book that involved various lessons that I missed and would have benefited my younger self, yet are applicable my current self as a young adult.

In addition, I found myself asking not only what can I get out of this book? but also what can I take from this book to help others?

Overall, this book is a must read from a best-selling author, Minda Harts, that one wouldn't want to miss, especially when it comes to preparing younger generations with tools to brighten the future.

[Brooke - TheBrookeList · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I am not the target audience for this book, I was impressed with the beneficial wisdom and confidence it imparted. Any teen girl, black or brown or white, would learn a great deal from this conversation with an older, wiser sister, intended as a mentoring boost.

While much of the text felt like a pretty normal conversation with advice and guidance, a few tidbits I thought were especially impactful came to advice on what good friends are, advice for advocating for yourself, and handling confrontation. Again, while I'm not the target audience, I certainly can apply her guidance in my adult relationships as well. "Say what you mean, without saying it mean."

Read as a nomination in the non-fiction book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).

[Micaela Michalk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I’m far from the target audience of this book, I still found it helpful in a number of ways.
1. As someone who experiences anxiety and sometimes engages in negative self talk, it was good to read about how to empower oneself and believe in oneself.
2. I felt reading this helped me understand the experience of young girls of color and the isolation that may feel when faced with oppression and racism.
3. As someone who is studying to be a counselor, the empathy and coping techniques this book helps build may be helpful in future work.
4. As a shire person, it helped me to be more aware of what I’m doing and saying that could potentially be harmful to girls of color even if I don’t intend them to be.

[Marie Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Are More Than Magic is an easy-to-read guide for Black and brown girls navigating life in a time or a space where it can be a challenge to find or use their voice. Minda Harts provides relatable anecdotes and helpful advice in the areas of self-advocacy, fostering healthy friendships, combating imposter syndrome and more. This guide provides questions that require introspection and self-reflection, and as a whole, would be a great resource for young women seeking success in whatever chapter of their lives they are in.

[Audrey Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to anyone. Doesn't matter age, gender, or race, this is a great read. I have seen Minda speak twice now and was inspired to read (listen) to this. Thoughtful and thought provoking is how it left me. The themes of empowerment are applicable to everyone, while the experiences and feelings she shares can cause you to reflect on your own past interactions and how to be better.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not the target audience for this book, but Minda Hart's said that those who are not the target audience should still read this book to have a better understanding of the hardships the target audience goes through. It teaches us how we can help make them feel more welcomed and wanted in the workplace, classroom, and allow them to be authentic. I cannot recommend this book enough. Everyone needs to hear or read this book to have a better understanding and to think before we speak and act.

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨!

A fantastic and powerful read for young girls, I loved every chapter and the positive messages on each one. A must read.

Thank you TLC Book Tours and Penguin Teen for this gifted copy.

You Are More Than Magic by Minda Harts released yesterday April 5, 2022.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcof...

[Jo Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a black educator working at a school where black and brown girls are in the minority. This is a WONDERFUL guide to working with students to help them step into their power and be the bright, impactful young ladies they can be in ANY setting. Looking forward to using this with students in my professional practice!

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this hoping that this would be a book that I wish I had when I was younger and I'm so glad that it turned out that way. I would've gotten so much from this when I was younger. 

[Kirstyn (readwithkirstyn) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very impactful and necessary book that will be great for girls of color to find their voice. I would definitely recommend this (and have to a few of my friends with younger children!)

[JoRolle Nola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for POC teenage girls. Especially girls that are in a mostly white setting.

[Domo]

A book for black girls and women of any age honestly. It was a quick and easy read. Good information, with very practical advice

[Charmaine Si · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good read. I suggest every female read this regardless of age, ethnicity, or color.

[Michelle]

Dnf

[Katie Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this book to help heal my younger self. Thank you so much for this. I have read it with my young adult children as well. Great read. I hope more get their hands on this one.

[Amethyst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this as a Christmas present for my niece without reading it first, believing that it was a timely book for a young woman preparing for college next year. Having read it now, I know it will be a useful resource for her. I read Harts' The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table and appreciate her speaking out about the wage gap and her advocacy for fellow women of color in business. In this, she offers many practical tips for self-advocacy, setting boundaries, using your voice, and even how to choose friends and mentors. Looking forward to furthering conversations about what to expect after high school with my niece using this book as a guide.

[kennedibutwordy · Rating 5 out of 5]

life changing advice, was very comforting yet informative- my mom tells me a lot of the same things. wonderful for especially young women to read at least once!