Badass Black Girl: Questions, Quotes, and Affirmations for Teens

by M.J. Fievre

“This book is a celebration, an affirmation, a history text, a little bit of memoir, and an exuberant prayer for the prosperity of Black women.”― Ashley M. Jones , author of Magic City Gospel Publishers Weekly Select Title for Young Readers
2021 In the Margins Book Award Winner, Top Title for YA Nonfiction
#1 Best Seller and Gift Idea in Teen & Young Adult Cultural Heritage Biographies Affirmations for strong, fearless Black girls. Wisdom from Badass Black female trailblazers who accomplished remarkable things in literature, entertainment, STEM, politics and law, sports and more. Explore the many facets of your identity through hundreds of big and small questions. In this affirmations book created for Black girls, M.J. Fievre tackles topics such as family and friends, school and careers, body image, and stereotypes. By reflecting on these themes, you confront the issues that can hold you back from discovering your inner Black joy.  Embrace authenticity and celebrate who you are. Finding the courage to live as you are is not easy, so here’s a book designed to help you nurture creativity and positive self-awareness. Change the way you view the world. This affirmations book provides words of encouragement focused on Black joy to inspire and ignite discussion. You are growing up in a world that tries to tell you how to look and act. Fight the flow and determine for yourself who you want to be. Badass Black Girl helps you If books for teens like Black Girl, White School ; This Book is Antiracist or Well-Read Black Girl have interested you, then Badass Black Girl should be the next book you read. Also, be sure to check out M.J. Fievre’s Empowered Black Girl (2021) and Resilient Black Girl (2021)!

Genres: Nonfiction

156 pages, Paperback

Published January 15, 2020

Reviews

[Karee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read/reading this book with my daughter and we love it. We are in a time of turmoil and a few pages daily has helped us cope. I'm not sure why more people haven't heard about this book, but I highly recommend it.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book was designed for black teenagers, all black women can benefit from this book. It has a wealth of inspiration, guidance, and celebration. I highly recommend this book.

[Jaelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m truly SO in love with this book! In todays society, it’s hard for young black women to find there way in the world. Once you start to realize that you’ll be discriminated against for your skin and gender, you feel very lost. It’s so easy to feel that you are less than simply because you are who you are. This book helps black teen girls navigate the hardships of being black.

While the whole book was enriching, I found the part about stereotypes and micro aggressions to be most powerful. It’s so common now for people to make small micro aggressions and it’s accepted. “You’re pretty for a black girl” and “you’re smart for a black girl” are my personal favorites. It’s very important to stand up for yourself in these types of micro aggressions and educate your peers on why what they said wasn’t okay. The topic of the angry black woman also was brought up. Typically, black women who are assertive, independent, and leaders fall into this stereotype because people are intimated by us. I love that MJ emphasizes that’s if you’re getting called that, then you’re doing something right and never to stop being who you are because of the title you’ve been given.

All in all, if you’re looking for a book to learn has to face adversities as a black woman, this book is for you!

Kenbe (be strong)🤎

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection that includes illustrations in black and white alongside messages, questions, quotes, and mini-biographies of successful Black women throughout history is inspiring for any teen to read but clearly has a specific message for the Badass Black Girl that the book is aimed to reach.

The cover art is a peek into the kind of art inside (AMAZING) with the smattering of messages (dear badass black girl letters) that then include the other items noted above. It's organized and a little disorganized at the same time but not to its detriment. It all takes hold to look at the beauty and brains and brawn that exist and how to take it to the next level in appreciating strengths and forging through weaknesses plus finding voice, direction, and purpose.

The book is a testament to what it set out to be.

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took my time with this one. Even though the intended audience is teens, I learned (and re-learned) better ways to practice gratitude, grace, and acceptance. I also dug the short history lessons dispersed through the book. I finished it tonight and passed it on to my tween daughter. Looking forward to more reads from MJ!

[Kecha Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good to read. I think every woman of color should be reading this book. It is very encouraging to hear someone else say the same thing you would tell your own kids. It had different activities in it to help you stay focused. This was a really good read for me and I have already bought them for other people. Young girls who are about to graduate high school or young ladies who just need help with focusing, low self-esteem, even with high self-esteem. This is something that is just needed.

[Story Circle Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

As timely as today’s news, M.J. Fivre's Badass Black Girl needs to be in the hands of every American Black teenager. It could be a reference book she dips into from time to time, or an engrossing read in one sitting, or even shared with a friend. Fievre has written a hopeful guide to Black female empowerment in adolescence, when all women are most vulnerable, and to building a strong foundation for a life of self-development.

M.J. Fivre has filled this book with affirmations and quotations from Black women leaders, writers and celebrities, from ancient history to the present day. She closes each chapter with a list of Badass Trailblazers in many fields—entertainment, politics and law, STEM, sports, spirituality, literature, education, the military and government services and more.

Indeed, there is much of benefit here for girls of any color. While the book is written for Black teens, Badass Black Girl could open the eyes of White classmates and friends in two very important ways. White girls will learn how much more difficult these important years can be for their Black peers. And they will also see how much they have in common.

Moreover, some of the advice is useful for even adult women, such as Fivre's suggestions for finding your strengths based on your past and present, what others say about you, and what you enjoy doing—as well as taking notes on yourself in a special notebook. But for Black girls, there is much more, including sections on What You’re Up Against, 15 Upbeat Songs for Blue Days (I’m using this one myself), and Reasons to Love Being a Black Girl. The author signs each chapter with Kenbe: Haitian Creole for “Be strong” or “Hold on.”

Badass Black Girl would make a wonderful gift for a Black teen girl in your life. If you don’t have one, get it for a White teenager who has or would like to have Black friends. It could help to raise her racial awareness, something that is sorely needed in these times.

But first, read it for yourself. There's so much good advice, history and encouragement here, for girls of any age.

This book was reviewed for Story Circle Book Reviews by Linda Wisniewski.

[Read 4 Me · Rating 5 out of 5]

The MJ Fievre book is "Bad Ass Black Girl," a life coach of youth. This book had been well written and outstanding as it included various examples of strong Black leaders along with activities to uplift and empower the reader. Fievre wrote a good guide on inspiring women in puberty, where all women are most vulnerable, and providing a solid base for a life of self-development.In reality, girls of all colours have a lot of benefits here. Badass Black Girl could open White student and friend's eyes in two incredibly critical respects, while this book was published for Black adult youth. White girls can learn how much tougher for their black peers these big years will be. And they'll even see how much they share.Badass Black Girl will be a marvellous present for your life's Black teen girl. If you haven't one, take one for a white youth who has black friends, or who needs them. It could help improve her race consciousness, which in these times is sorely needed.The book reveals why I like a Black girl and how pretty I embrace your talents and shortcomings.

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a reminder of our accomplishments and ongoing efforts, this book is essential reading for people of all ages. It centers us.

You Are a True Warrior
You Have a Lot Going for You
Yeah...You're Awesome!
One, Two, Three...Yolo!
Easy Enough?
What Are You Doing Well?
What Have You Done Well In the Past?
Some Introspection
Change the Point of View
Reverse the Trend
When it Rains, It Pours
More of These Strategies
Wonder, Ask, About Big Things, About Little Things
Do Away with Fear
What You Could Do Next
Project Yourself in the Future
Keep an Open Mind
Create Your Own Experience
Go Be Brilliant!
Embrace Your Imperfection
Use Your Mistakes to Grow and Flourish
You Rock on a Phenomenal Level
Focus Your Attention
The Beauty of Just Being You
Focus on the Positive
Do Not Underestimate Your Ability to Bounce
How to Bounce Back
Turn Your Setbacks Into Success
Practice Gratitude

[DearBookClub · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
"Bad Ass Black Girl"
204 pages

"Bad Ass Black Girl," by MJ Fievre, is a guide that serves as a life coach for girls. This book was well researched and quite impressive as it offered many examples of successful Black leaders that was paired with exercises that could be implemented to uplift & educate the reader.

The book highlights reasons to love being a Black girl and the beauty of accepting your strengths and flaws.

[Lolita · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Diva Review 📖
"Stop trying to be someone else. Be You!" This gem of a book is packed with affirmations to help encourage and inspire young girls to deal with their imperfections. It highlights badass women trail blazers from politics, literature and entertainment. I loved the 30 days of purpose section. This is a great book to keep and read again.
Diva Reviewer - Lolita

[Simran Kaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is an amazing book. Every person will be benefited from reading this book.

It states many amazing quotes, affriemtions, tips and techniques to follow. Also, it mentioned many Black women successes and achievements, which was fabulous to know. Plus, this book helps us to understand what challenges Black Girls, and how every girl can push boundaries and achieve their dreams.

[Lisa Mcbroom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book addresses black girls but any race couls gain something from theis book on self esteem. However there are African American trailblazers and inspirational stories from the author herself. The only fly in the oinment I wished Pam Grier had been included in the mix.

[Icovington · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the title states that the book is for teens, I feel that women of all ages can benefit from the affirmations and the reminders that we are beautiful and have so much to offer the world. It was a great read. It’s food for the soul.

[Shanell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great inspirational book. Would recommend for any age group toread.

[Asiaa Polk · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book!!

[Jazzy Rae ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book that encouraged me to see the beauty in being a black girl.

Thank you M.J. <3

[That_ One_ Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Asia · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book talk about black people!!