Description
Book SynopsisThe Girl in the Yellow Poncho is journalist and scholar Kristal Brent Zook’s coming-of-age tale about what it means to be biracial in America where she grapples with in-betweenness, family trauma, and the profound power of atonement and faith to heal a broken family.
Trade Review“After thirty years of reporting, Kristal Brent Zook has turned inward to write a deeply personal, frank, and inspirational story about race and class.” -- Ada Calhoun, author of * Why We Can't Sleep: Women’s New Midlife Crisis *
“Kristal Brent Zook’s coming-of-age memoir is a thought-provoking tale of triumph outdistancing pain, of never giving up on love and hope despite childhood traumas and a broken family. Kristal writes so beautifully and urgently.
The Girl in the Yellow Poncho will absolutely absorb you.” -- Kevin Merida, coauthor of * Obama: The Historic Campaign in Photographs *
“Brilliantly capturing the complexities of contemporary Black women’s experiences,
The Girl in the Yellow Poncho is the most riveting, compelling memoir I have read.” -- Beverly Guy-Sheftall, Anna Julia Cooper Professor of Women’s Studies, Spelman College
“Kristal’s story touched me deeply. It will touch everyone who has struggled with feeling the ‘in-betweenness’ that propels her riveting heroine’s journey to define herself and create the family for which she yearned. The writing is as powerful as the message: love ultimately triumphs.” -- Gloria Feldt, author of * Intentioning: Sex, Power, Pandemics, and How Women Will Take the Lead for (Everyone’s) Good *
“Kristal Brent Zook’s memoir is a wrenching, riveting and luminous coming-of-age story about what it means to grow up biracial. Her journey reads like a multigenerational tale woven by strong biracial and Black women—in this case, the daughters, mothers and grandmothers of Zook’s family. With grace and generosity, Zook offers a universal testament to the power of forgiveness and healing—and the strength found through discovering one’s authentic identity. At a time when we often feel lost, this memoir reveals what it means to be found.” -- Katrina vanden Heuvel, Publisher, * The Nation *
“Kristal Brent Zook has written an honest, illuminating look at her life, loves and culture.” -- Nelson George, author of * City Kid: A Writer’s Memoir of Ghetto Life and Post-Soul Success *
"A powerful memoir about a woman’s odyssey for connection, self-identity, and love." * Kirkus Reviews *
"In this intimate and generous memoir, Kristal Brent Zook explores the complexities of her past and the consummation of her present as a biracial daughter of a white father who left and the Black mother and grandmother who raised her." -- Karla J. Srand * Ms. Magazine *
“Zook recalls a childhood haunted by her missing father—and complicated by his return. A brave, heart-stirring memoir.” * People *
Table of ContentsPreface ix
Acknowledgments xi
1. Kansas Avenue 1
2. Uncle Mervin 7
3. Noches 13
4. Laurel Canyon 17
5. Dra 23
6. Hollywood Boulevard 27
7. Rockin’ Out 33
8. College Bound 41
9. Activist 47
10. Light-Skinned 55
11. Taking a Chance 63
12. Dad 69
13. ABD 79
14. Detour 87
15. Writer 95
16. Pain 105
17. Australia 111
18. Hiding 119
19. An Adventure 127
20. Alfonso 133
21. A New Life 141
22. Multiracial 149
23. Forgiving 155
24. Memories 159
25. Vashon Island 163
26. Thanksgiving 171
27. Lisa 177
28. Rekindled 183
29. Rage 189
30. A Birthday 195
31. Mothers 199
32. Transformation 207
