My Selma: True Stories of a Southern Childhood at the Height of the Civil Rights Movement

by Willie Mae Brown

Combining family stories of the everyday and the extraordinary as seen through the eyes of her twelve-year-old self, Willie Mae Brown gives readers an unforgettable portrayal of her coming of age in a town at the crossroads of history.

As the civil rights movement and the fight for voter rights unfold in Selma, Alabama, many things happen inside and outside the Brown family’s home that do not have anything to do with the landmark 1965 march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Yet the famous outrages which unfold on that span form an inescapable backdrop in this collection of stories. In one, Willie Mae takes it upon herself to offer summer babysitting services to a glamorous single white mother―a secret she keeps from her parents that unravels with shocking results. In another, Willie Mae reluctantly joins her mother at a church rally, and is forever changed after hearing Martin Luther King Jr. deliver a defiant speech in spite of a court injunction.

Infused with the vernacular of her Southern upbringing, My Selma captures the voice and vision of a fascinating young person―perspicacious, impetuous, resourceful, and even mystical in her ways of seeing the world around her―who gifts us with a loving portrayal of her hometown while also delivering a no-holds-barred indictment of the time and place.

Genres: Nonfiction, Middle Grade, Memoir, History, Audiobook, Biography, Race

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 3, 2023

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really need to start picking up more middle grade non-fiction so when I saw that this was releasing I was excited to get my hands on it and it definitely did not disappoint! If you love great storytelling and also appreciate learning more about the Civil Rights Movement, then I recommend picking this one up. CW: racism, eluding to attempted sexual assault, violence

My Selma: True Stories of a Southern Childhood at the Height of the Civil Rights Movement is what feels like a collection of short essays on Willie Mae Browns experience growing up in the 1960s in Selma, Alabama during the Civil Rights Movement. The stories range from a variety of topics like Willie's every day life to darker experiences she faced at the hands of racism.

What I Enjoyed: Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised at the balance that Willie Mae Brown finds in crafting this narrative. I was expecting it to be all dark, but there are some moments of light and hope that readers young and old will appreciate. That's not to say that the dark moments aren't hard hitting or difficult to read, but it was nice to read about the dynamics that she had with her siblings, community, and parents outside of the Civil Rights Movement. I also appreciated that readers are getting the perspectives/accounts of someone who was a child during this time. I'm not saying that we shouldn't celebrate those names that are well known, but I really think that there should be some balance. This is a story that a lot of middle grade readers will be able to connect with because of the age of Willie during the time in which these events take place. Willie Mae Brown also writes with a fiery passion that isn't easily attainable by every writer. I felt her energy through every single story and the narration by Karen Chilton definitely made it even better. She doesn't shy aware from using terms or telling facts about the reality of being a Black child during this time. It's gritty, but it's real. Of course, with everything going on in schools right now, I couldn't help but to appreciate a narrative like this being shared with the world. It's greatly needed.

What Didn't Work: I wish that Brown would have explored a little more of her childhood towards the end. It ends on a pretty somber note with time shifting to Brown as an adult attempting to figure out the cause of her cousin's death. While I appreciated this part of the story because it illustrated the complexity of relationships between children and adults, I wanted just a little more of Brown's childhood. It could be inherently selfish of me since I was just enjoying the book and I didn't want it to end.

Overall, this was a good addition to the collection of middle grade non-fiction. I highly recommend listening to it on audio.

[Jessaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written. I enjoyed this book and could not put it down, but then again, there were many sad parts. I only wish the author had written more books or that she will write more in the future. And I wish that our country was not filled with ugly racism but that children could grow up in a Peaceful environment.

[MissBecka Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be a random collection of stories, but it was way more flowing than that.
The stories are all sequential and center around Willia Mae, her family and friends.
The stories vary from the sweet naivety of a child to the heart wrenching adult realizations of the past. I highly enjoyed having multiple age perspectives on the same moments in time.
Much love to Macmillan Audio & NetGalley for my DRC.

[Brittney Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of meeting the author of this book. She had come into the library I work at and wanted to see if we had this book. Her son who was with her had broke the news to us that she was the author. She was so incredibly kind and I’m so glad I got to meet her. This is an amazing account of her childhood growing up in Selma, Alabama during the civil rights movement. This was so moving and worth the read!

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to push myself to finish this one.
The writing style was hard to follow. The many different characters were hard to keep track of, also.
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

[Brittany Lindvall · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is told through her eyes as a child, with some input from her siblings and family later in the story. I enjoyed it and think it was worth reading but I would probably say 3.5 stars as it felt lacking in the telling. Some of this is it is written for middle grade, but some is that it ends pretty abruptly and seems like it could have included more. A good perspective though.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: 4 STARS
2023; MacMillan Audio/Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

My Selma is memoir set during the Civil Rights Movement told from the author's point of view of a child. It's not so much her thinking back, as get the "present" view of what it was like then. I enjoyed the weaving of family life with how young Willie Mae viewed the world around her. There were heartwarming stories like at Christmas get a doll and a bike, and also some that were terrifying even for adults. I think it would be difficult to write a memoir strictly with just joyous moments, and especial for a Black family in the South. This is a easy story to read, technical wise, but the subject matter depends on the child and the adults they can converse with. I think this is a book that will have a lot big topics like racism, history, and just want it's like to be a person of colour trying to live in a place where you are hated just based on your skin colour. This is also a great book for adults as it's not just written well but also reminds you of it was like being a kid and see how big and scary the world can be sometimes.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss and the audiobook through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was powerful and tough-but tough in a way that I as a white woman must experience. It reminded me a lot of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry with the innocent yet powerful young girl who is always asking questions and trying to figure out the world around her. A world that is changing quickly and sometimes violently. Being a memoir really took this book even further in its emotional arc.

[Richie Partington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richie’s Picks: MY SELMA: STORIES OF A SOUTHERN CHILDHOOD AT THE HEIGHT OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT by Willie Mae Brown, Farrar Straus & Giroux, January 2023, 240p., ISBN: 978-0-374-39023-1

“Ain't gonna let nobody turn me 'round,
turn me 'round, turn me 'round,
Ain't gonna let nobody turn me 'round
I'm gonna keep on a-walkin', keep on a-talkin',
Marching up to freedom land.”
– Traditional, sung in Selma by the Freedom Singers

“The thing that people call white supremacy is not some marginal thing. You have to look back and say, ‘How can we change so that we really can be a republic, or can be a democracy?’ If we’re going to be a country in the future, then we have to have a view of our own history which allows us to see what we were. And then we can become something different. We have to become something different, if we’re going to make it.”
– Timothy D. Snyder, Professor of History at Yale University, quoted in Ken Burns’ documentary, “The U.S. and the Holocaust”

A look back at our country’s history can get really ugly. As Professor Snyder explains, white supremacy is not some marginal thing. We’ve gone from founders with slaves, to sundown towns, lynchings, and “white” water fountains, to cops shooting without hesitation, and a knee on a Black man’s neck. Hundreds of years of American history constantly reveal how bad and widespread racism has been, and how far we still have to go.

A portion of that ugly history took place in Selma, Alabama in the 1960s. The dogs, batons, and tear gas of the police, and the hate-filled faces of everyday people who had bought into white supremacy filled the TV screen of my childhood. Sixty years later, memories of those news reports and the accompanying images are still vivid.

”I sat down but couldn’t take my eyes off this well-dressed, short, stocky man. He was there! Right there in front of me. His face was brown and smooth, and the collar on his white shirt was whiter than the ones we soaked in lye soap for Dah.
‘Look, baby! Hundey! That’s Kang!’ shouted Mama. ‘There he is! Whoo! Whoo-wee! Yes, suhh! Thank you, Jesus! Kang! Kang! Kang!’
Clapping, more jumping. ‘Lord! Oh, Jesus, it’s going to be all right now! KAAANG!’ These were the chants and feelings and cries of the people in the church that evening. All the people, young, colored, white. And the children, so many children. As the old people say, we ‘tore the church up’ with all our jumping and shouting.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. walked slowly across the dais, took his position on the pulpit, and, looking out on the crowd, raised two well-cleansed palms. The people sat down and became quiet. Only the rustling of fabric on the church benches and the shuffling of shoes could be
heard.
Then Dr. King began to speak, and the voice and the words were not on the TV or radio. I was in front of him, and my mother was there. I heard him say: ‘We have the right to vote. Just give us the ballot.’ So surreal was his voice, which mesmerized me, and the charisma of the time, with the unfolding of events and this giant of a man stepping forward to bring justice at any cost to the people, hypnotized me.”

Willie Mae Brown turned twelve in 1965. Over a dozen chapters, she shares memorable tales of her childhood family and neighborhood in Selma, Alabama. Her memoir of growing up in that time and place provides readers a sense of the stunning breadth and depth of the racial inequalities that existed during the 1960s.

There are chapters in MY SELMA in which the family’s domestic scenes seem so fun-lovingly similar to those of happy families we meet in fictional stories. But such feelings are instantly shattered every time a white man comes knocking on their door, or a family member or friend has to suddenly deal with a white police officer. It’s not just an inconvenience. Life sometimes stopped dead–literally–because of white men knocking at the door. It’s no surprise that the author left Selma as soon as she was old enough to do so.

This is a notable and powerful debut. I’m inspired to get MY SELMA into the hands of every young person I can. It’s essential for them to understand our history, if they have any chance of moving us forward to a better America with liberty and justice for all.

Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
https://twitter.com/richiespicks
richiepartington@gmail.com

[Willie Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read the Kirkus review, and i rely on the experience of their reputation. When the book is launched on January I will certainly buy it to read.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Willie Mae Brown was a child during the Civil Rights movement, which reached its high point in 1965, with the Selma to Montgomery march that resulted in the Civil Rights bill of 1965, with great assistance from the local sheriff and state troopers who gave the movement a media spectacle when it attacked the first march down Highway 80, resulting in “Bloody Sunday“. Willie Mae was not involved in the movement, being too young, but she offers here reminiscences of growing up in town during the sixties. I’ve read two other Selma memoirs during this time — one of young boy growing up in Selmont prior to the march, and of another who was an adult pharmacist working downtown. The opening chapter is a emotionally impactful and florid invocation of what growing up a young girl in the segregated south was like, complete with a description of the March 7 attack which she was absent at, and which veers into the realm of fancy, inventing dogs and robed Klansmen roaming the streets. (There were no dogs, the city authorities had as much tolerance for Klansmen as they did Yankees, and I’ve never heard or read of of Klan activity within Selma in this period or in the 1870s despite actively searching for it.) The memoir improves much as she moves to her own life, describing how her parents saved up enough money to move into a ‘white’ area of town: her father ‘Dah’ worked for the railroad and their family appears to have been relatively well to do, owning land and a rental property.

 Since I knew she wasn’t involved in the movement, I read this principally for the same reason I read Ordinary Average Guy,about growing up in a trailer park in this same period: the little details of life in those days fascinate me and provide a richer view of the town that was than the politically-oriented histories. The most interesting stuff is the unexpected, like Brown recalling a neighbor woman skeeting a bit of breastmilk onto the floor before feeding a child to “calm the haint”. The majority of the book is simply these recollections of childhood, with drama between siblings and cousins happening concurrently with occasional glimpses of the casual inhumanity of the racial order — a time when the sheriff’s deputies were perfectly fine beating on the door in the middle of the night to effectively demand her father’s hunting dogs to enlist in a manhunt. Being a child who lives her life within Selma’s black community, Willie Mae is largely sheltered — but she does run into racial antagonism herself, when she begins working for a white woman who asks her for help bringing laundry into a laundromat, not thinking about the fact the laundromat owner is a hateful ass who has no compunction against hurling racial abuse at a child. The woman is embarrassed and shamed at her own naivete, and bawled out by Willie Mae’s mother as well. The timeline is a little questionable since the mood being invoked is always one of January – March 1965’s political activism and racial tension constant, with no clear idea as to when these things are happening. This is made worse to frequent mentions to “coloreds being killed”, which – well, has little connection to what was going on in Selma. The only black person killed in those months was Jimmie Lee Jackson, shot in Marion, another county over — though his death partially inspired the Selma march, so it is worth mentioning. The only man killed in Selma, in fact, was a white minister named James Reeb who was accosted and beaten, and then — oddly, very oddly – taken to Birmingham instead to Good Samaritan (the ‘black’ hospital) or the Baptist or Vaughan hospitals in Selma. (Even Montgomery would have been a better option than Birmingham, nearly two hours away!) Towards the end, young Willie Mae gets a glimpse of ‘Kang’, and sees the crowds gathering outside of Brown Chapel.  Wrapping up, I’m not sure what to think of the book: it’s certainly well-written, prose wise, and I suppose if you were absolutely ignorant about racial relations in the 1960s it would be eye-opening. The book make depressingly clear to me how prejudice begets prejudice — Willie Mae and her contemporaries have the same contempt for poor white ‘crackers’ that the latter have for them, regardless of their actions — the only difference being these two communities of prejudice being that poor blacks weren’t in a position to participate in bullying. Power or no power, though, racism poisons the soul, and it’s sad to see this made manifest but not reflected on.

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Selma: True Stories of a Southern Childhood at the Height of the Civil Rights Movement
by Willie Mae Brown
Published January 3, 2023
#MySelma #NetGalley #CivilRightsMovement #MacmillanAudio


<3 This was a memoir infused with historical incidents during the turbulent times surrounding the Civil Rights Movement. #KarenChilton narration with the local Southern vernacular of the Alabama residents and her down home #sanging gave it a tangible authenticity; this voice actor's performance was outstanding! The intro and conclusion narrated by the author just cloaked the novel brilliantly! The mixture of the racial tensions of those times and the reliving of her childhood to her adulthood and all that trauma that remained with her were healed just a little more through the telling of these stories. This was so well done! <3
#MLK #MalcomX #ProtestSitIns #NationalOfIslam #PoliceBrutality #GenerationalTrauma #CivilRights

Combining family stories of the everyday and the extraordinary as seen through the eyes of her twelve-year-old self, Willie Mae Brown gives readers an unforgettable portrayal of her coming of age in a town at the crossroads of history.

As the civil rights movement and the fight for voter rights unfold in Selma, Alabama, many things happen inside and outside the Brown family’s home that do not have anything to do with the landmark 1965 march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Yet the famous outrages which unfold on that span form an inescapable backdrop in this collection of stories. In one, Willie Mae takes it upon herself to offer summer babysitting services to a glamorous single white mother—a secret she keeps from her parents that unravels with shocking results. In another, Willie Mae reluctantly joins her mother at a church rally, and is forever changed after hearing Martin Luther King Jr. deliver a defiant speech in spite of a court injunction.

Infused with the vernacular of her Southern upbringing, My Selma captures the voice and vision of a fascinating young person—perspicacious, impetuous, resourceful, and even mystical in her ways of seeing the world around her—who gifts us with a loving portrayal of her hometown while also delivering a no-holds-barred indictment of the time and place.

[Dave Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are qualities if this book that make it compelling, and qualities that act as a deterrent. Beginning, perhaps, with the choice of perspective. This is a Memoir, and it is mostly told through the eyes of a young, 11-12 year old Willie Mae Brown growing up in Selma at the height of its racial tensions. She writes as an adult, but it captures her perspective as a child, creating a bit of a rift between the two vantage points gjven the limitations of that childhood perspective. That perspective is true, of course, to what she saw and experienced, but the book is not intended to function as a studied examination of that perspective. It is meant to put us in her shoes, to see things from that limited vantage point. Which has its merits and its obstacles, especially where the adult voice does break through.

It should be said, if the subtitle of the book suggests "stories", the chapters are all sequentially connected In a way that reads as a singular story. At the same time, each chapter retains its own distinctiveness, so as to stand apart. This does create a bit of dissonance, and at times it's hard to follow, which subsequently makes me wonder if this might struggle to land for the younger readers that represent its primary demographic.

As a portrait of a single, authentic childhood, growing up as a young black girl coming of age into womanhood during a volatile time (which she sees more at a distance rather than as a participant) the book does work however, and it's on this level that the prose proves endearing. When I was able to fully resist placing any external demands on the authors approach, I found that's when it was most able to speak, content to simply take us inside the inner workings of a world that existed within the conflict unfolding around it, both in its normalcy and in its particularities.

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have such mixed feelings about Willie Mae Brown's book, which I read thanks to an e-ARC from NetGalley. Most of the mixed feelings have less to do with her writing and more with the poor choices in formatting. Outside of the cover, I suspect most of my students would have picked it up, looked it over, and put it back down unless I was right there to encourage them to keep reading. The font is small and the paragraphs are long with little white space to make them easy on the eyes of a 10- or 11-year-old.

Willie Mae Brown grew up in Selma during the beginning of the Civil Rights movement and in her easy style, she tells how her family had to make daily decisions that would keep them safe from racism that was evident all around her. She tells about babysitting for the children of a white woman, taking the job to earn some money, but not wanting her father to know. He wouldn't have let her take the job. When someone came to the trailer where she lived, looking for her, Willie Mae had to make some quick decisions to keep herself and the children safe.

She also tells of being forced to go with her mother to a nearby church one evening, much against her wishes. But when she saw the man in the pulpit and listened to him speak, she was changed by Dr. King Jr.'s words and had a greater appreciation for what was happening in her community.

Part of the challenge is that Willie Mae Brown was only twelve in the summer she writes about, but she had enough of a sense of what was happening around her to know if it was good or bad. While the story focuses on that summer, ultimately it's less about Selma and more about how Willie Mae and her family reacted to those events.

A good choice for point of view, perhaps in combination with another book.

[Rebecca Shelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

"My Selma" is a memoir that presents a vivid and personal portrayal of the author's experiences growing up in Selma, Alabama, during the civil rights movement. Told through the eyes of twelve-year-old Willie Mae, the book blends family stories with the larger backdrop of the fight for voting rights, specifically the historic 1965 march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. What makes this memoir stand out is its ability to balance the everyday moments of life with the extraordinary events happening in Selma at the time. The stories range from Willie Mae's secretive summer babysitting job for a white mother, which leads to unexpected consequences, to the life-changing moment when she hears Martin Luther King Jr. speak at a church rally.

Brown's voice shines with the vernacular of her Southern roots, making the memoir feel both intimate and authentic. I really enjoyed this book, although it did start off a bit slow. Once it picked up, it became an engaging read, especially for middle school or high school students who are learning about this period of American history. One of the stronger aspects of the book is how it offers a nuanced view of life in the South at that time—without shying away from the harsh realities of racism and police violence, which are handled frankly but appropriately for a more mature young audience.

There are some concerns parents might want to be aware of, including frequent use of both versions of the "N" word and mentions of police violence, but these elements serve to provide an honest portrayal of the time. The book delivers a thoughtful, heartfelt, and sometimes painful look at a pivotal moment in history through the eyes of a young girl finding her way in a divided world.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Selma
True Stories of a Southern Childhood at the Height of the Civil Rights Movement
by Willie Mae Brown
Pub Date 03 Jan 2023
Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Biographies & Memoirs | Children's Nonfiction | History


I am reviewing a copy of My Selma through Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Netgalley:


In My Selma Willie Mae Brown combines family stories of the everyday and the extraordinary as seen through the eyes of her twelve-year-old self. This book is an unforgettable portrayal of her coming of age in a town at the crossroads of history.



In Selma Alabama un 1965 many things are happening in the Brown's house as well as outside of it, that does not have anything to do with the Landmark 1965 march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Yet the famous outrages which unfold on that span form an inescapable backdrop in this collection of stories. In one, Willie Mae takes it upon herself to offer summer babysitting services to a glamorous single white mother a secret she keeps from her parents that unravels with shocking results. In another, Willie Mae reluctantly joins her mother at a church rally, and is forever changed after hearing Martin Luther King Jr. deliver a defiant speech in spite of a court injunction.


My Selma captures the voice and vision of a fascinating young person perspicacious, impetuous, resourceful, and even mystical in her ways of seeing the world around her who gifts us with a loving portrayal of her hometown while also delivering a no-holds-barred indictment of the time and place.


I give My Selma five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Katie Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Selma is memoir set during the Civil Rights Movement, told through the eyes of the author during that time. It reads in a fairly linear fashion, with a couple of exceptions. It does not read as large broken-up chunks of time that are unrelated to each other. I loved the weaving of family life with young Willie Mae's view of the people around her. There were heartwarming stories of Christmas gifts Christmas get a doll and a bike, which were contrasted with frankly terrifying tales of abuse. I think it would be disingenuous and antithetical to the purpose of this memoir to write a memoir strictly with just joyous moments for a Black family in the South during this time period. Written for a YA audience, this memoir in terms of technical writing is easy and fast. But the subject matter demands thought, feeling, and time to digest. Topics discussed include racism, sexism, community, religion, the justice system, reform, education, and family. Famous and noteworthy historical events and figures appear. But they are balanced nicely with relatable family stories that make it all feel intimate and close to the reader in a way that I think you miss when you read a textbook. I enjoyed this as much as an adult as I think younger readers will as well. There's a vulnerability delivered as well. A child for the first time realizes how dangerous the world can be, that people can hate you for nothing you've done or have control over. It's sobering to experience again through the eyes of a child.

[A Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work of nonfiction is the autobiography of the author’s childhood in Selma, Alabama during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. As the author states, everyone has a different story of the place they grew up in; this work is the story of the author’s Selma.

I enjoyed that while this was a work of nonfiction, it largely read like a novel. The author did write in a more stream-of-consciousness way that became a little difficult to follow in certain places, with time jumps or recollections interspersed throughout the main storyline. I enjoyed how this seemed to represent how one remembers things and makes connections when looking back on events, though this writing style would likely be less engaging for younger readers.

The author included many interesting historical details that added to the work. She made the setting and characters come alive. While there are some darker topics discussed in this work, it’s not all heavy – there are humorous moments incorporated as well as some important lessons. The focus on familial relationships, the strength of the community, but also the hardships and dangers Black families faced at the time were woven throughout this story in a cohesive way.

I highly recommend this coming of age read for Middle Grade readers and older, and think it would be a valuable addition to school libraries and curriculums throughout the United States. Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to read this powerful work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Selma by Willie Mae Brown ; narrated by Karen Chilton

My Selma relates a fictionalized account of the author’s childhood memories of growing up in Selma, Alabama during the early civil rights movements of the 1960s. While there was much social unrest in the area, it was also a picture of a little girl's childhood, relationships with her family and friends, and an awakening to some of the injustices her people suffered. The picture of her family was a heartwarming one. Her parents took the raising and caring of them seriously and tried to shield them from some of the harder aspects of their life and of those around them.

I’m just a few years younger than the author and also grew up in a small southern town. I could relate to the author’s family dynamics and the small community where everyone knew each other and looked out for each other. I could relate to the childhood innocence that the parents tried to perpetuate. I was glad to see how she lived and how her parents handled tough situations with dignity and authority.

I enjoyed the story and the author’s family. The narrator did a great job relating the story. I would definitely recommend this book for purchase to all middle schools.

I thank LIbro.fm and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review this fine book.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminiscent of Ashley C. Ford's memoir for adults--Somebody's Daughter--this middle-grade novel carefully balances everyday moments growing up in Selma, Alabama, during the Civil Rights Movement, with having a front-row seat to some of the most important events during that historical period. As another reviewer noted, the author skillfully blends tough topics and horrifying scenes with bits of humor, familial love, and loyalty as she describes her own coming of age and growing awareness of the racism, prejudice, and hope for the future that are blooming in her hometown. It's clear that the author is a gifted storyteller as her distinctive voice rings true on every page and several of the stories seem intended to be told out loud, history made personal through the eyes of a young girl growing up during that time and reflecting back on the significance of certain experiences. There are places where it would have been helpful to have transition or some connection between chapters, and I would have loved to have more description of the neighborhood and its residents as well as the influence of school and church on the author. Clearly, her connections to her family and community were strong, undoubtedly prompting curiosity on the part of some readers as to why she decided to move North and make it her permanent home. I'd also have appreciated a brief retrospective on what Selma is like now--at least her perspective on the place and its citizens.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! It took me a minute to get into this...and I *almost* abandoned it (because I was primarily reading this to see about reading it aloud to my kids and I quickly realized they weren't mature enough for the intensity), but I am SO glad I persevered. This is fantastic as an audiobook (and for those who might be slowed up by accents/dialect, the audio narration would eliminate that problem). But honestly, I think my favorite part about this is that it is a true story about an ordinary black family. A family that lived in Selma during a time when it was not safe to be black in Selma. A time when historic events were happening in Selma. Those events are covered, but also in a way peripheral, which I think highlights how so many monumental things were happening and yet "normal" life went on. It isn't like one MLK speech changed hearts and minds and segregational policies overnight. Willie Mae heard him speak and yet also had to wonder if her own teenage siblings would survive imprisonment for protesting segregation. It placed those events in a better context for me, I think. Some of the stories moved me to tears. My kids may not be old enough for it yet, but I *will* share it with them someday. This was excellently storytelling and the kind of historical fiction I love.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Selma is an autobiographical account of a young black girl growing up in Selma, Alabama during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Willie Mae Brown tells us snippets and anecdotes from her life growing during a time of immense hope and tragic violence, rooted in racial prejudice and discrimination.

I appreciated the stories and her experiences but I found them to be a little choppy and hard for me to really get to know her story and experience in a deeper manner. While I absolutely think we need more voices and more experiences shared with the world, this one had much potential but less depth than I had hoped for. Overall, I enjoyed the audiobook and am glad that the author shared her stories with the world. And as always, be sure to read the author's note at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an early listening copy of this memoir. Be sure to look for it when it hits shelves on 1/3/2023.

[Jessica Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Selma tells the story of a 12-year-old growing up during the civil rights movement. Willie Mae comes across as a bright, inquisitive kid, and it’s interesting to see how events unfolded through her eyes.

Unfortunately, because of formatting, some readers won’t even pick it up, and others may find themselves struggling throughout.

My Selma is told through a sort of stream of consciousness writing style that gives a disorganized feel to the book. The events are not presented in a linear fashion, and there are a lot of characters. Reading it as an adult, I can appreciate how memories come in this scattered way, by younger readers may find themselves lost or discouraged. The vernacular of Brown’s Southern upbringing may also be a challenge, but should be easier to overcome.

For these reasons, I recommend My Selma as a classroom book that is read together and with lots of discussion.

[Cass · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important read, which many can tell from just the cover. While it didn’t always keep my attention, it painted a picture for me that I never knew I needed to see. This book was vivid and lively. I truly felt that I was hearing these stories straight from a young black girl growing up in Selma, Alabama, and I guess, in a way I was. I also loved the Dr. King this story writes about, one most of us don’t think about. We don’t see him marching in the streets, but working behind-the-scenes to ensure the safety of his people. I liked seeing him from such an intimate perspective. Not to mention the ending of the novel is an absolute gut punch and worth a few tears. I appreciate this short book for all this and so much more. I think it is an important read and it has definitely earned its spot in my classroom library.

[Sue.the.very.busy.reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Selma, is a nonfiction account of the family stories as seen through Willie Mae Brown when she was twelve years old. Willie Mae Brown grew up during the Civil Rights Movement in Selma, Alabama when the famous 1965 march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge took place. She writes about what she was feeling and what her family was feeling. What their fears were and how they tried to cope from day to day. The secrets that the adults tried to keep from the children yet still prepare them to go into the world. The effect Martin Luther King Jr. had on their community. It’s a great snapshot of what Willie Mae Brown’s life was like during that period in history. It is not a pretty account of history but a reminder that we must do better for ALL people. This is a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star read for ALL.

[Lellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

genre: memoir (black history)
rating: 8.5/10
pages: 240

My first read of Feb was this little memoir by Willie Mae Brown, a black girl who grew up in Selma, AL in the 1960s. Selma was an incredibly important place during the Civil Rights Movement most known for the big march for African American voting rights. Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X both knew her family. Most of the Civil Rights Movement is happening in the background as Willie Mae is growing up and not completely understanding everything, but still experiencing racism as a young teen. It's a very quick and important read. It's also very suitable for a middle grade audience and up!

Thank you to netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Melodi | booksandchicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
This is a case of it's me, not you, dear book.

I love middle grade books. They often tells stories that are hard to hear and write in a really readable format for all ages! This book handled the Civil Rights movement so well in Selma, Alabama based on true stories.

Willie Mae Brown shares her stories of growing and living up in Selma as our country was working its way through the civil rights movement. Some of the stories were so well said and interesting and sad to read about, but handled in a way that I would hand this to my pre-teen daughter to read.

But, I found myself a bit bored at times and easily distracted. I don't know what was going on. I know this is well loved by other friends and readers, but I think it was a me thing amongst the other books I've been reading.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our family was transferred to Craig AFB in Selma, AL in September, 1964. I turned 5 years old a month later. We lived in a mobile home park just down the road from the Edmund Pettus Bridge. I was so young that I didn't know anything about the Civil Rights Movement and all that was going on just down the road. This book is aimed at middle school age readers, but I read it as a 65 year old. The author was born and reared in Selma and was 7 years older than me in 1965. She was very aware of what was going on and how it affected her family and friends. She actually had the opportunity to hear MLK, Jr speak. It was interesting to learn what a young person experienced in Selma at that time. It's a fast and easy read.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to @libro.fm and the publisher for allowing me to listen to an ALC of this book. I had a hard time following the first story or two, but once I figured out who was who in the Brown family and what nicknames they went by, I was invested. One story that I found particularly interesting was "A Defiant King" in which Willie Mae describes how she happened to see Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preach in Selma. I'm glad Willie Mae penned this book, documenting a pivotal point in history & I hope to see more from this author in the future. I would recommend this book to students in middle and high school, especially those interested in US History.