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When the Black Girl Sings
Lahni Schuler is the only black student at her private prep school. She's also the adopted child of two loving, but white, parents who are on the road to divorce. Struggling to comfort her mother and angry with her dad, Lahni feels more and more alone. But when Lahni and her mother attend a local church one Sunday, Lahni hears the amazing gospel choir, and her life takes an unexpected turn.
It so happens that one of Lahni's teachers, Mr. Faringhelli, has nominated her for a talent competition, and she is expected to perform a song in front of the whole school. Lahni decides to join the church choir to help her become a better singer. But what starts out as a way to practice singing becomes a place of belonging and a means for Lahni to discover her own identity.
In this moving book, acclaimed author Bil Wright, tells the story of one girl's search to find a home where she truly belongs.
It so happens that one of Lahni's teachers, Mr. Faringhelli, has nominated her for a talent competition, and she is expected to perform a song in front of the whole school. Lahni decides to join the church choir to help her become a better singer. But what starts out as a way to practice singing becomes a place of belonging and a means for Lahni to discover her own identity.
In this moving book, acclaimed author Bil Wright, tells the story of one girl's search to find a home where she truly belongs.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
September 13, 2016
Although the issues around race and identity seen from the point of view of an African-American girl adopted by white parents is of value, this book felt like a draft, rather than a finished work. It didn't hold together well enough, and most characters and relatanships weren't developed enough.
August 25, 2019
"She doesn't know she's a great singer!" is no more believable in a character than "She doesn't know how beautiful she is." And having grown up a choir kid, none of this is plausible.
The main character has only ever sung casually with her parents and her music teacher thinks she has a pleasant voice; that's the extent of her experience as the book begins. She decides she wants to join a church choir and is immediately handed a part singing alongside the featured soloist, and all she does wrong is that she sings a bit too loud. Everything else about her performance is great, despite her having never having had any training to speak of.
I'm not saying good natural singers don't exist, but no matter how great you are, it is highly unlikely that as a middle-schooler that you'll be handed a featured part the minute you join an ensemble otherwise consisting of adults.
Then there's the talent competition, the preparation for which takes up most of the book and for which she gets coaching that entirely consists of instruction to connect her experience with the meaning of the song. Yes, this is important, but if you've never sung formally before, interpretation is about task #567,921.
The most believable aspect of this book was the racist abuse she received from her white classmates, a sort difficult to counter because of its likeness to unfortunately accepted middle-school persecution, and the most believable character was her older teenaged boy stalker. Wright definitely captured the sense of looming menace of attention from someone you don't want and who won't listen to your negative responses.
The main character has only ever sung casually with her parents and her music teacher thinks she has a pleasant voice; that's the extent of her experience as the book begins. She decides she wants to join a church choir and is immediately handed a part singing alongside the featured soloist, and all she does wrong is that she sings a bit too loud. Everything else about her performance is great, despite her having never having had any training to speak of.
I'm not saying good natural singers don't exist, but no matter how great you are, it is highly unlikely that as a middle-schooler that you'll be handed a featured part the minute you join an ensemble otherwise consisting of adults.
Then there's the talent competition, the preparation for which takes up most of the book and for which she gets coaching that entirely consists of instruction to connect her experience with the meaning of the song. Yes, this is important, but if you've never sung formally before, interpretation is about task #567,921.
The most believable aspect of this book was the racist abuse she received from her white classmates, a sort difficult to counter because of its likeness to unfortunately accepted middle-school persecution, and the most believable character was her older teenaged boy stalker. Wright definitely captured the sense of looming menace of attention from someone you don't want and who won't listen to your negative responses.
December 17, 2012
I bought this at the book fair. The school librarian tells me that students were uninterested in the book because the title was, in their words, "racist."
First off, I've noticed that my students really don't know what racist means. They know it's a perjorative but few of them use the word correctly. For example, one African-American student told the class that his mother was racist because she grounded him from his phone because he got in trouble at school... which tells me that students may need to learn more about racism and racial inequality... which is kind of dealt with in this book with its overarching theme of identity.
I liked this book and I think it'll make a good jumping off point for discussion about identity. I wish now I'd bought more copies at the buy-one, get-one-free book sale so I could have a small group read it during literature circles.
First off, I've noticed that my students really don't know what racist means. They know it's a perjorative but few of them use the word correctly. For example, one African-American student told the class that his mother was racist because she grounded him from his phone because he got in trouble at school... which tells me that students may need to learn more about racism and racial inequality... which is kind of dealt with in this book with its overarching theme of identity.
I liked this book and I think it'll make a good jumping off point for discussion about identity. I wish now I'd bought more copies at the buy-one, get-one-free book sale so I could have a small group read it during literature circles.
October 11, 2017
When the Black Girl Sings is a book from Bil Wright and in my opinion is a very good story and a hyped story. When I started reading it I wasn’t really into because I’m not a big fan of reading books and usually never read on the normal basis, but I think this book has changed my opinion on books.
Bil Wright knows how to make someone come back for more because In the book there’s always a part that wants you to come back to learn and find out more about the story because it catches your attention.
And that's one thing I love about Bil Wright because he knows how to get someone’s attention super quickly and simply. Basically all I’m saying is, If you aren’t a big fan of reading books you should read this book because it will change your thoughts about books or if want to read a book with a good story and amazing ending then this book is for you.
Bil Wright knows how to make someone come back for more because In the book there’s always a part that wants you to come back to learn and find out more about the story because it catches your attention.
And that's one thing I love about Bil Wright because he knows how to get someone’s attention super quickly and simply. Basically all I’m saying is, If you aren’t a big fan of reading books you should read this book because it will change your thoughts about books or if want to read a book with a good story and amazing ending then this book is for you.
March 18, 2009
I often entice junior high kids to read Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements with the casual remark "there is a lot of nudity in that book." (It is about an invisible boy) Bil Wright was apparently using this same strategy in When The Black Girl Sings. The opening chapter is set in a girl's locker room (and the girls are NOT invisible)! I liked this book better than some of the multi-cultural books I read last year for Golden Sower. However, I just kept thinking throughout the book that Layni was too good to be true. This is a teen-age angst book, but Layni is way too mature to really be anxious about. She really has a handle on things even when her parents do not. Perhaps this is a grown up angst book. I liked the singing competition angle, but then I am addicted to American Idol.
March 20, 2018
I loved this book so much, even though I did not expect to. What I originally thought when placing the book on hold was that it was just going to be focusing on getting through a hard time of her parent's divorce, but it was so much more than that. There are religious aspects of the book and she really did not even care THAT much about the divorce. I would really recommend.
October 24, 2009
This is a really strong coming-of-age story about a young black female who was adopted by a white couple. She attends a mostly-white prep school in a mostly-white suburb and now that she's in middle school she's starting to realize that appearance matters and she becomes more self-conscious about her own "blackness." It's a pretty well-written and interesting story with quite a few plot lines going at once. Her parents start fighting and that leads to their separation. Lahni and her mom start to attend church. Lahni starts getting bullied by a strange white male. She feels insecure. There's a lot going. I think this could have been even stronger if the author had made Lahni an even stronger character. I felt like even though I really wanted to get inside her head, the amount of "inside her head" moments was pretty limited. This didn't always feel like it was written in first person even though it was. But, I found the overall message to be really positive, and that's mostly why I like it. I plan to give this book to a black female student of mine who often feels very "black" in her mostly Hispanic school setting.
March 17, 2009
When the Black Girl Sings is a wonderfully written story about Lahni, a black girl adopted by a white family who are facing divorce, and her upcoming singing competition. Bil Wright succeeds in his manner of writing. It is loose and familiar while his timeline focusses mainly on the weeks before and of the competition. Although he does not deeply develop his characters this is what helps make his book light and fun. He frequently mentions the issue of her race but does not focus in on it to the point of annoyance. Readers are able to glance at this point in Lahni's life and watch as she encounters new family, school, and personal disappointments, as well as, successes. This book best suits the younger end of the Young Adult genre. They will have no trouble handling its content and will certainly enjoy its plot.
March 27, 2017
Lahni in this story is a teenager struggling to find her place in middle school and her family. In addition to normal teenage issues, she must also deal with the fact she is adopted by a white family and she is black. She also attends all white girl prep school and the popular girls are either jealous of her, or mean to her. She has one friend who is there through it all. As she watches her parent's marriage fall apart and try to find her place in the world, she learns she is a great singer. Her mom takes her to church after the father leaves for another life and she joins the choirs. As she learns to sings, she accepts her life and who she is and along the way becomes a very confident teenager who will do well in life no matter the color of her skin or what her family life is like at home.
June 18, 2020
I read this book years ago in my late teens and have never forgotten it. The issues of race, marriage, love, and even budding talent are all topics in this book. This is a pretty easy and quick read, as well as engaging. I enjoyed diving into Lahni's world and seeing life through her eyes. A girl caught between two worlds. As an African American woman who grew up in predominantly white schools and at many times the only, or one of two or three minorities in a classroom, as well as a singer, I could relate to this book in different ways. For those who are adopted, for those who are usually in the position of being the minority in various facets of life, for those who have divorce in their family, this is great book for you! However, this is not just a book for the aforementioned group, or young black girls. It is truly a great book for anyone!
May 27, 2008
This is a good story about a young black girl in a school full of white girls, who discovers religion through singing. Good for about 8th grade and up. Will appeal a lot more to girls than to boys.
January 15, 2021
My book is called When the Black girl sings. It is by Bil Wright. The book “When the Black girl sings” is about a girl named Lahni, she is a foster child. At her school she is bullied for her race by almost everyone except for her one close friend. Later, her foster parents get a divorce, the divorce stresses Lahni out and she is very sad. She joins the school choir to help her do something instead of staying home and being sad. She attended the school talent show, both of her parents show up to watch her, usually when her parents see each other they argue and fight, but this time they hugged. After the show she is told that she won! Then when she goes to church they let her do a solo and everyone loves her singing.
The author talks about how she really loves singing mostly. The point of view is based on her the whole time. The author is trying to say that racism is not okay and neither is bullying, and something like sadness can lead to great things. Racism is shown here: “Besides, without any clothes on, you do look like on of those little black African babies you seen on TV specials.” - Donna Thoren (pg.4)
I recommend this book for 12 and up. Since this book is about racism it shouldn't be read by younger kids. Also you should be more mature when reading this because it is a hard thing to read. I really liked this book because it interests me, it shows very good details on racism and that you can grow from hate and bullying
The author talks about how she really loves singing mostly. The point of view is based on her the whole time. The author is trying to say that racism is not okay and neither is bullying, and something like sadness can lead to great things. Racism is shown here: “Besides, without any clothes on, you do look like on of those little black African babies you seen on TV specials.” - Donna Thoren (pg.4)
I recommend this book for 12 and up. Since this book is about racism it shouldn't be read by younger kids. Also you should be more mature when reading this because it is a hard thing to read. I really liked this book because it interests me, it shows very good details on racism and that you can grow from hate and bullying
February 12, 2022
When the Black Girl Sings by Bil Wright is the story of Lahni, an adopted African-American by two white parents, who is trying to find out who she really is, in the midst of middle-school drama, finding her true belonging, her parents' divorce, and possibly finding a relationship with God. Overall, this book was... too much of a Hallmark Special for me to enjoy. It felt so unrealistically... realish, like I was watching a movie...
And the "bad kid" storyline lead... no where. He absolutely should have been arrested, and his racism was never called out or fully addressed. I just wasn't that impressed.
And the "bad kid" storyline lead... no where. He absolutely should have been arrested, and his racism was never called out or fully addressed. I just wasn't that impressed.
March 22, 2018
I really loved the topics that this book covered, and I thought that the voice was pretty authentic. I gave three stars mainly because I think that the book could have gone more in depth into several topics and situations than it did, and I wish it had.
August 20, 2020
Beuatiful book about being true to yours;ef and finding God! I love it. Omg, I definitely recommend this book! :D Must Read!!!
February 13, 2024
Cute story. Seemed a bit like a skeleton of an outline that needed some more meat to do it justice. Great potential, just needed a big more work to do it justice.
October 16, 2016
Wonderful Book
I read this book to help my son with a paper and I was pleasantly surprised. It was a wonderful read that touched me. Being adopted myself it was very relatable.
I read this book to help my son with a paper and I was pleasantly surprised. It was a wonderful read that touched me. Being adopted myself it was very relatable.
August 14, 2008
Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com
Lahni Schuler sometimes just doesn't understand her life.
She doesn't understand why a Caucasian couple would adopt an African American baby. She doesn't understand why they would enroll that girl in a private school where she is the only African American. She doesn't understand why some of the girls at the school are so snotty and so ignorant, especially towards her. And she definitely doesn't understand why her parents are continuously arguing, when just weeks ago they would all watch movies together as a happy family.
What she does know is that she doesn't fit in, that her comfort zone involves keeping to herself, sometimes not even telling her best friend, Katie, everything, and that she has to be strong, especially for her mother, and that somewhere inside she has this amazing voice.
Mr. Faringhelli knows this, too, and wants Lahni to sing in a competition. Of course, Lahni isn't so sure about this, since it is out of her comfort zone, and she just doesn't think she could do it. Then the perfect timing comes into place when she decides to sing for her church's choir; what better way to practice singing, especially in front of a live audience. She not only surprises herself with this bold move, but also her mother. It's finally a place for Lahni to improve, to fit in, to forget all of her worries that continue to trouble her. It is the perfect escape.
Even though she does have the choir to comfort her, she knows that she will still have to deal with the girls at her school, and with her father leaving all of the time on little trips during the week, acting clueless and not wanting to talk about the situation at all. And she still has to deal with the singing competition. Just as long as she knows she has her friends and the ones she loves by her side, she can accomplish anything.
WHEN THE BLACK GIRL SINGS is an inspirational story that will amaze all readers. The story of a girl who never fit in until she finally embraced her talent and turned it into something beautiful, shows how anyone, regardless of race, or gender, or size, can easily accomplish anything, just as long as they know they can. This is one well-written novel that will be enjoyed by generations to come.
Lahni Schuler sometimes just doesn't understand her life.
She doesn't understand why a Caucasian couple would adopt an African American baby. She doesn't understand why they would enroll that girl in a private school where she is the only African American. She doesn't understand why some of the girls at the school are so snotty and so ignorant, especially towards her. And she definitely doesn't understand why her parents are continuously arguing, when just weeks ago they would all watch movies together as a happy family.
What she does know is that she doesn't fit in, that her comfort zone involves keeping to herself, sometimes not even telling her best friend, Katie, everything, and that she has to be strong, especially for her mother, and that somewhere inside she has this amazing voice.
Mr. Faringhelli knows this, too, and wants Lahni to sing in a competition. Of course, Lahni isn't so sure about this, since it is out of her comfort zone, and she just doesn't think she could do it. Then the perfect timing comes into place when she decides to sing for her church's choir; what better way to practice singing, especially in front of a live audience. She not only surprises herself with this bold move, but also her mother. It's finally a place for Lahni to improve, to fit in, to forget all of her worries that continue to trouble her. It is the perfect escape.
Even though she does have the choir to comfort her, she knows that she will still have to deal with the girls at her school, and with her father leaving all of the time on little trips during the week, acting clueless and not wanting to talk about the situation at all. And she still has to deal with the singing competition. Just as long as she knows she has her friends and the ones she loves by her side, she can accomplish anything.
WHEN THE BLACK GIRL SINGS is an inspirational story that will amaze all readers. The story of a girl who never fit in until she finally embraced her talent and turned it into something beautiful, shows how anyone, regardless of race, or gender, or size, can easily accomplish anything, just as long as they know they can. This is one well-written novel that will be enjoyed by generations to come.
November 7, 2011
I found "When the Black Girl Sings" by Bil Wright a very interesting book and kept you wondering what would happen. I rated this book four out of five stars because for the most part I found it interesting, but at some points it was a little boring. The story overall was about a black girl named Lahni who went to a private school and was the only black girl there. Lahni is an adopted black girl in a white family. Her bestfriend was Katie, and the popular girl at her school who is full of herself is Amber. The book started off with some creep in an older grade wondering how Lahni looked without her clothes on. This boy's nickname is Onyx 1 and he would bother Lahni throughout the whole book. Lahni had some at home problems going on as well, her mother and father were always fighting and they would result in getting a divorce, making Lahni feel she needed to be there for her mother. At Lahni's middle school there is a singing competition and Katie volunteered Lahni to be in it. To get practice for this she joined her church's choir. The pianoist Marcus would become her accompanist for the competition as well as her good friend. The lead singer Carietta would also become like a tutor and a good friend. In the end, Lahni sang the song, "His eye is on the sparrow" and with a close competition, Lahni would win it and beat Amber and her other competition, Lisa. Overall, I found this story mostly enjoyable, because my cousin is an African American girl and was adopted by a white family. I would recommend this book to some friends.
April 25, 2012
This was a nice and quick read. Something to pick up when you want to pass the time.
Lahni was adopted by a loving white couple when she was a baby and goes to a private school where she is the only black girl. She is reminded of being the only black student every day by the popular school bully.
Lahni is a shy girl who likes to sing in her spare time and writes down songs but never thinks herself as talented. Until there is a competition at school and she must compete against two other students. It is in the weeks leading up to this competition that she finds her voice. Between her father leaving, being stalked by a wanna-be-black white boy from the boy's private school right next door, and joining a church choir, she has plenty of space to find her voice.
Lahni is only 14 and trying to figure life out. She stays on her mother's side when she learns of her parents divorce. And I must say I was rooting for her when she refused to stay with her father that weekend after meeting the new girlfriend. I didn't blame her in the least. There are moments though, when she expresses her concern and outrage that her parents picked her out of all the other babies to adopt. Why couldn't they choose a nice white baby? Why her? But her mother explains it is because of that connection she felt to her when she first laid eyes on her. Which is sweet.
While I won't be looking for this on my own to add to my personal library, I wouldn't mind recommending it to a 14 year old-ish girl (or boy).
Lahni was adopted by a loving white couple when she was a baby and goes to a private school where she is the only black girl. She is reminded of being the only black student every day by the popular school bully.
Lahni is a shy girl who likes to sing in her spare time and writes down songs but never thinks herself as talented. Until there is a competition at school and she must compete against two other students. It is in the weeks leading up to this competition that she finds her voice. Between her father leaving, being stalked by a wanna-be-black white boy from the boy's private school right next door, and joining a church choir, she has plenty of space to find her voice.
Lahni is only 14 and trying to figure life out. She stays on her mother's side when she learns of her parents divorce. And I must say I was rooting for her when she refused to stay with her father that weekend after meeting the new girlfriend. I didn't blame her in the least. There are moments though, when she expresses her concern and outrage that her parents picked her out of all the other babies to adopt. Why couldn't they choose a nice white baby? Why her? But her mother explains it is because of that connection she felt to her when she first laid eyes on her. Which is sweet.
While I won't be looking for this on my own to add to my personal library, I wouldn't mind recommending it to a 14 year old-ish girl (or boy).
October 31, 2016
Have you ever like you stood out the most in your school.Well this main character Lahni schuler knows exactly what it feels like.this book is realistic fiction.I fell that this book lies upon realistic fiction because Lahni goes through many conflicts that can relate to some real world problems.
This book takes place in a school, at home, and a church. Lahni wanted to stop feeling isolated due to many problems.***Spoiler Alert*** But when she finds out her parents are getting divorced her and her mother star going to church.So when Lahni discovers amazing gospel choir.Then she decides to join but finds it becoming a practice for an upcoming school competition and Lahni discovers her true inner strength and identity.
A major event that changed the character was when her parent are getting divorced.this major event changed the character because her and her mother decide to start going to church.This is how Lahni find the choir group and joins which leads her to find her true inner strength and identity.
I was surprised when the author jumped right in the rising action right away because I usually read books that take forever to start the rising action.***Spoiler Alert*** The part where
I felt bad for Lahni was in the beginning of the book, because she was called a bit of names and a group of girls make fun of her.
I rate this book a three. I rate this book a three because I personally didn't like some things in the book and it just wasn't for me
This book takes place in a school, at home, and a church. Lahni wanted to stop feeling isolated due to many problems.***Spoiler Alert*** But when she finds out her parents are getting divorced her and her mother star going to church.So when Lahni discovers amazing gospel choir.Then she decides to join but finds it becoming a practice for an upcoming school competition and Lahni discovers her true inner strength and identity.
A major event that changed the character was when her parent are getting divorced.this major event changed the character because her and her mother decide to start going to church.This is how Lahni find the choir group and joins which leads her to find her true inner strength and identity.
I was surprised when the author jumped right in the rising action right away because I usually read books that take forever to start the rising action.***Spoiler Alert*** The part where
I felt bad for Lahni was in the beginning of the book, because she was called a bit of names and a group of girls make fun of her.
I rate this book a three. I rate this book a three because I personally didn't like some things in the book and it just wasn't for me
February 24, 2010
3.5 stars. This was a really cute little book about a black girl, Lahni, who was adopted by a white couple when she was a baby. She's in the 8th grade now, and is trying to figure out who she really is while also dealing with her parents' failing marriage. She finds comfort (and passion) in singing her heart out with a gospel choir. (Which sounds UNBELIEVABLY AMAZING, and something I would LOVE to do... except I'm an alto, and we're always singing harmony...)
I loved the characters and I was REALLY impressed by the author's ability to make the music come to life, through text. I felt the intensity and emotion of the music, even without having to hear it, which I think is an incredible feat! :) Bravo!
I DO wish that the story had taken a SLIGHTLY different approach to the ending, though. I thought it was great that Lahni finds her own meaning in the song she finally chooses to sing, but they never expanded on the whole Jesus angle—how he can be your portion and your constant friend. And I felt like she needed that understanding to REALLY sing the song with true feeling, you know? I kept waiting for her to ask her mom or Marcus or Carietta about what the song really means, but she never did. *shrugs* Of course, I can understand an author not wanting to get "overly-religious" in a book that isn't specifically Christian-fiction, but still... I think it needed at least a SMALL explanation.
I loved the characters and I was REALLY impressed by the author's ability to make the music come to life, through text. I felt the intensity and emotion of the music, even without having to hear it, which I think is an incredible feat! :) Bravo!
I DO wish that the story had taken a SLIGHTLY different approach to the ending, though. I thought it was great that Lahni finds her own meaning in the song she finally chooses to sing, but they never expanded on the whole Jesus angle—how he can be your portion and your constant friend. And I felt like she needed that understanding to REALLY sing the song with true feeling, you know? I kept waiting for her to ask her mom or Marcus or Carietta about what the song really means, but she never did. *shrugs* Of course, I can understand an author not wanting to get "overly-religious" in a book that isn't specifically Christian-fiction, but still... I think it needed at least a SMALL explanation.
June 30, 2012
Review can also be found on my blog: http://walkingbutterflyfeet.blogspot....
This novel was better than I thought it would be. Lahni really clicked with me, and the author had more than one plotline going on at once, which really added flavor to the book.
Lahni is almost in high school, she's nowhere near the top of the social ladder at her school (a school she doesn't even like at that), and then some crazy guy starts stalking her. But she finds a new home when she and her mom start going to church.
The characters were really good. I had to keep reminding myself that Lahni was just in the 8th grade. Sometimes she seemed a couple years older than what she was, but that's a good thing; just means she was mature :). Donna and Amber were your usual "queens" of the school, but every book has them I think.
The plot, like I said before, had little stories running off of it. There was the problems with her parents and the crazy stalker kid. These added some extra flavor to the story, which I really liked. The main plotline, which was Lahni's singing and being in the talent competition at her school, was amazing. I really enjoyed reading about Lahni's experience with this. She definitely earned more confidence in herself.
Overall, this book is really great, and I think you should take some time out to sit and read it. It isn't too long of a read, and it's a great story.
This novel was better than I thought it would be. Lahni really clicked with me, and the author had more than one plotline going on at once, which really added flavor to the book.
Lahni is almost in high school, she's nowhere near the top of the social ladder at her school (a school she doesn't even like at that), and then some crazy guy starts stalking her. But she finds a new home when she and her mom start going to church.
The characters were really good. I had to keep reminding myself that Lahni was just in the 8th grade. Sometimes she seemed a couple years older than what she was, but that's a good thing; just means she was mature :). Donna and Amber were your usual "queens" of the school, but every book has them I think.
The plot, like I said before, had little stories running off of it. There was the problems with her parents and the crazy stalker kid. These added some extra flavor to the story, which I really liked. The main plotline, which was Lahni's singing and being in the talent competition at her school, was amazing. I really enjoyed reading about Lahni's experience with this. She definitely earned more confidence in herself.
Overall, this book is really great, and I think you should take some time out to sit and read it. It isn't too long of a read, and it's a great story.
May 23, 2018
Lahni Schuler is an African American girl adopted by two white parents. She got use to the
way people looked at her because she was happy and she knew her parents were too. It was
the end of her middle school year and everything had changed, her father barely came home
from work, her mother was starting to get very depressed, and both her parents start to argue.
Her father finally moves out, and she tries her hardest to comfort her mother.
She isn’t the only African American in her home, but also her private school so the stress is
bad enough for her, but then while in class she gets elected to be in a school competition. Not
just the competition at school was worrying Lahni but also a boy called Onyx 1 who was
completely stalking her. Lahni and her mother decide they want to start going to church, and
she absolutely falls in love with how the choir sings. She decides she wanted to join and talked
to the director Marcus Delacroix. She was of course accepted and while the time went by she
became closer to them.
This book was absolutely amazing, Lahni is such a strong person that carries so many things
but still manages to deal with each one of them. I love how the author made her such an
inspiring person for others. The people around her are the best supporters, and the best people
to have around.
way people looked at her because she was happy and she knew her parents were too. It was
the end of her middle school year and everything had changed, her father barely came home
from work, her mother was starting to get very depressed, and both her parents start to argue.
Her father finally moves out, and she tries her hardest to comfort her mother.
She isn’t the only African American in her home, but also her private school so the stress is
bad enough for her, but then while in class she gets elected to be in a school competition. Not
just the competition at school was worrying Lahni but also a boy called Onyx 1 who was
completely stalking her. Lahni and her mother decide they want to start going to church, and
she absolutely falls in love with how the choir sings. She decides she wanted to join and talked
to the director Marcus Delacroix. She was of course accepted and while the time went by she
became closer to them.
This book was absolutely amazing, Lahni is such a strong person that carries so many things
but still manages to deal with each one of them. I love how the author made her such an
inspiring person for others. The people around her are the best supporters, and the best people
to have around.
February 23, 2008
Contemporary, Identity, African-American, Adoption, Bullying
I have recently read two other books whose main characters are the only African-Americans in “white” schools. Here’s a third book.
Lahni attends eighth grade at an exclusive girl’s prep school in Connecticut. As the school year comes to an end, Lahni finds herself as one of three girls nominated for the annual talent competition. The stress in Lahni’s life keeps building as she prepares for the competition, attempts to maintain her good grades, deals with unkind girls in her class, realizes her parents are divorcing and rejects a boy who wants to date her. Throughout these stresses Lahni finds acceptance, support and healing in the church choir she recently joined.
I found the first fifty pages or so disjointed and not well written. I’m glad I stuck with this story because I grew to care about Lahni and her life. The plot was predictable but the characters, especially those from Lahni’s choir, were endearing. The author did not quite capture the voice of a fourteen-year-old girl yet the story was worth reading. Lahni’s exploration of her identity as an African-American adopted by two white parents was valuable to read.
I have recently read two other books whose main characters are the only African-Americans in “white” schools. Here’s a third book.
Lahni attends eighth grade at an exclusive girl’s prep school in Connecticut. As the school year comes to an end, Lahni finds herself as one of three girls nominated for the annual talent competition. The stress in Lahni’s life keeps building as she prepares for the competition, attempts to maintain her good grades, deals with unkind girls in her class, realizes her parents are divorcing and rejects a boy who wants to date her. Throughout these stresses Lahni finds acceptance, support and healing in the church choir she recently joined.
I found the first fifty pages or so disjointed and not well written. I’m glad I stuck with this story because I grew to care about Lahni and her life. The plot was predictable but the characters, especially those from Lahni’s choir, were endearing. The author did not quite capture the voice of a fourteen-year-old girl yet the story was worth reading. Lahni’s exploration of her identity as an African-American adopted by two white parents was valuable to read.
January 14, 2014
This book was a great read. I think it touches on some of the real issues students face when we send them to "better" schools. Sometimes we want our kids to have the best education but we forget what that intels. To walk into a school and be the ONLY ONE of your kind and not truly know what that means I think that the main character showed courage and strength. L does not know what it means to be a young black girl and neither did her mother but I think that having the love of her mother AND her Black support system helped. I also think that the author did an excellent job of discussing interracial adoptions in this country. I read this book during the height of the celebrity adoption craze. Celebrities like Madonna and Angelina Jolie were adopting little boys and girls from Africa. I have to admit that I was a little disgusted by the outrage on both sides, children need a good home and love. But just like this novel shows children need love and they need to know who they are, inside and out. I think that L was able to discover the WHOLE picture of herself and her mother was extremely supportive. I applaud this author again of for showing the purity of adoptions. This book is a great read for any little girl searching for self discovery.
Currently reading
December 11, 2011 I am now more than half-way in the book on the twenty seventh chapter. So far i have read that Lahni is in a music competition, she is dealing with her parents seperation, church choir, and the worst part "Onyx 1".
Lahni has been preparing herself for the competition and she has chosen to sing a gospel song. The choir director at her church, Marcus, has offered to be the accompanist for her in the show. I feel she will win in the end. In her church choir, she has gotten a few solos with Carietta Chilsom. She is enjoying choir so far.
"Onyx 1" is the boy interested in Lahni, but she is completely un-interested in him. He fought in school and she is even more apalled by this. She stood up to him and i believe he won't be going around her again.
Lahni's parents are seperated and she is very frustrated with her father. He is living with a new woman in New York, and she can't stand it. He wants to spend more time with Lahni but she is not ready to fully forgive him. Lahni invited her father to her competition. He agreed to go to support her.
I can't wait to finish the rest of this book and see the outcome. I deffinitly recomend this book to future readers :)
Lahni has been preparing herself for the competition and she has chosen to sing a gospel song. The choir director at her church, Marcus, has offered to be the accompanist for her in the show. I feel she will win in the end. In her church choir, she has gotten a few solos with Carietta Chilsom. She is enjoying choir so far.
"Onyx 1" is the boy interested in Lahni, but she is completely un-interested in him. He fought in school and she is even more apalled by this. She stood up to him and i believe he won't be going around her again.
Lahni's parents are seperated and she is very frustrated with her father. He is living with a new woman in New York, and she can't stand it. He wants to spend more time with Lahni but she is not ready to fully forgive him. Lahni invited her father to her competition. He agreed to go to support her.
I can't wait to finish the rest of this book and see the outcome. I deffinitly recomend this book to future readers :)
February 10, 2010
8th grader Lahni doesn’t understand why her parents forced her to go to the private Darby School. How could they get what it’s like to be the black girl in a mostly white school, when they adopted her into their white family in the first place? But they are her family and Lahni loves them. When Lahni’s Dad abruptly moves out, she begins to reassess where she fits in - at school, with her best friend, at home, and with her new church and choir. In this inspirational coming-of-age story, Lahni discovers her own voice – quite literally in song, much to her own surprise and everyone else’s. Race and racism, multiracial families, adoption, divorce, adultery, and identity are just some of the topics readers of When the Black Girl Sings will identify with and the novel’s characters and situation are believable, if somewhat formulaic. The novel’s exposition and dialogue are awkward and less credible, but to be fair, KLIATT praised author Bil Wright’s “use of language” as “mesmerizing.”
May 13, 2011
I haven't read a book quite like this before. It's a great read with a few moments that really ring true. Lani and the other characters were interesting and strong, but I didn't emotionally connect to the story. Her relationship with her parents and best friend represent something I've personally felt, but seldom read about, which I really appreciated. The ending didn't shine for me as much as some of the other scenes. The situation with Onyx 1 was a little confusing, though his interactions with Lani added an interesting third dimension to the book. I found the back misleading - I thought there would be a little more about singing. I guess I was expecting it to be more detailed? The parts with the singing were described beautifully, but there wasn't very much about the process of her learning to sing. The plot thread of her parents' divorce was handled well, but it seemed to lack something, maybe motivationally.
July 3, 2011
I loved this novel. It may be predictable but touches on many teen issues, especially the ever present need to fit in and appreciate ones self.
Adopted by loving, white parents and taunted by classmates as the only African American girl in her elite, private school, Lahni Schuler, 14, is conflicted about her identity and deeply hurt by her parents’ separation.
When her mother takes her to an interdenominational church, Lahni is captivated by the soulful gospel singing. She joins the choir and receives inspiration from the flamboyant, talented director and organist. With a school singing competition coming up you will find the tension mounting. Also there is a boy stalking Lahni, so how will this aspect of the plot evolve? This story never gets heavy-handed ; the characters are well developed, believable and the narrative is real. You will find yourself rooting for the underdog and hoping the smug characters get their due too.
Adopted by loving, white parents and taunted by classmates as the only African American girl in her elite, private school, Lahni Schuler, 14, is conflicted about her identity and deeply hurt by her parents’ separation.
When her mother takes her to an interdenominational church, Lahni is captivated by the soulful gospel singing. She joins the choir and receives inspiration from the flamboyant, talented director and organist. With a school singing competition coming up you will find the tension mounting. Also there is a boy stalking Lahni, so how will this aspect of the plot evolve? This story never gets heavy-handed ; the characters are well developed, believable and the narrative is real. You will find yourself rooting for the underdog and hoping the smug characters get their due too.
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