Training School for Negro Girls

By: Camille Acker

Narrated by: Bahni Turpin, Janina Edwards

This debut collection is a complicated love letter to Washington, DC, and to those who call it home: a TSA agent who's never flown, a girl braving new worlds to play piano, and a teacher caught up in a mayoral race. These characters navigate life's "training school" - with lessons on gentrification and respectability - and fight to create their own sense of space and self.

A Literary Hub pick of the ultimate books for fall.

©2018 Camille Acker (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

interesting

it was less a schooling, more of the complex dynamics sistahs find themselves, create for themselves, and are squished into. i do wish there was morals to each story conclusion or the lesson learned here was.... but still beautifully written.

More than five stars

This book reminded me of a time in my youth, some of which I would rather forget. Growing up is not easy. This writer is masterful in taking the reader across a developmental journey of growing up black and female. I’m sure that people of other genders and cultures will also find this book a great read. From the youth of a school girl to the challenges of women hood the collection of short stories provided vivid pictures of what it’s like to be me, learning and developing, in the school for negro girls.

Insightful

The stories said a lot while leaving plenty of room for thd reader to draw his(her) own conclusions.
Enjoyed it.

Short Story Series

An ok series of short stories about Black girls' experiences.
Worth reading, and can be finished in less than a day.

A BLACK GIRL/WOMAN MUST READ

It's was myself, my family, my wife, daughter, sister, mother spread across several pages. Awesome!

great stories

loved every story. I wish some would've run longer just so I could find out what happened to the rest of their stories!!

Love letter to Black Washington!!!!

This was a beautifully written love letter to the Illustrious history and culture of Black Washingtonians. As a fifth generation Washington native I felt deeply connected to the layers and complexities of our narratives that Camille so beautifully showcased in her stories. Thank you so much for this masterpiece and I eagerly await your next book!!!

Loved it!!

As a native Washingtonian I connected with all of the stories. I went to Jr High with Len Bias, listened to WHUR until the wee hours of the morning, and ate at plenty of the little DC eateries. I really enjoyed the stories.

very familiar

A compilation of short stories about Black girls being education in the DMV area and stereotypes. Girls growing up in single parent households, two parents households, interracial relationships and so much more. Girls wanting to know if they made their father proud or mattered while their moms went above and beyond and did any and everything for them. Men cheating on their wives and abandoning their familes. It wasn't nothing I never heard off, quite familiar. #Book46of2020 #bookworm #whatsnext

African American Women in the Forefront

The novel was a compilation of short stories which all touched on issues surrounding African American women. In every story you felt like you identified with the characters or you knew someone who identified with the characters. The stories were each beautifully written.