A Way Out of No Way: Writings About Growing Up Black in America

by Jacqueline Woodson (Editor)

A collection of stories and poems about coming of age written by African American authors

Genres: African American

172 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1996

About the author

I used to say I’d be a teacher or a lawyer or a hairdresser when I grew up but even as I said these things, I knew what made me happiest was writing.

I wrote on everything and everywhere. I remember my uncle catching me writing my name in graffiti on the side of a building. (It was not pretty for me when my mother found out.) I wrote on paper bags and my shoes and denim binders. I chalked stories across sidewalks and penciled tiny tales in notebook margins. I loved and still love watching words flower into sentences and sentences blossom into stories.

I also told a lot of stories as a child. Not “Once upon a time” stories but basically, outright lies. I loved lying and getting away with it! There was something about telling the lie-story and seeing your friends’ eyes grow wide with wonder. Of course I got in trouble for lying but I didn’t stop until fifth grade.

That year, I wrote a story and my teacher said “This is really good.” Before that I had written a poem about Martin Luther King that was, I guess, so good no one believed I wrote it. After lots of brouhaha, it was believed finally that I had indeed penned the poem which went on to win me a Scrabble game and local acclaim. So by the time the story rolled around and the words “This is really good” came out of the otherwise down-turned lips of my fifth grade teacher, I was well on my way to understanding that a lie on the page was a whole different animal — one that won you prizes and got surly teachers to smile. A lie on the page meant lots of independent time to create your stories and the freedom to sit hunched over the pages of your notebook without people thinking you were strange.

Lots and lots of books later, I am still surprised when I walk into a bookstore and see my name on a book’s binder. Sometimes, when I’m sitting at my desk for long hours and nothing’s coming to me, I remember my fifth grade teacher, the way her eyes lit up when she said “This is really good.” The way, I — the skinny girl in the back of the classroom who was always getting into trouble for talking or missed homework assignments — sat up a little straighter, folded my hands on the desks, smiled and began to believe in me.

Reviews

[Jennifer James · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of writings by African American authors, some of which I liked, some of which I didn't, and some of which I just plain didn't "get". After reading this, I want to read more Jamaica Kincaid, Ntozake Shange, and Langston Hughes.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good collection of stories. Felt like it was geared toward inner city blacks, but some of the stories were still interesting to read.

[Zenobia Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not drawn to poetry but I am a big fan of many of these literary giants that include poets. I am so thankful that they are brought together in this book.

[Kendallgregory]

The connections I made with this book were more related to how the african american culture used to be or actually my own cultures and what experinces my mom had or grandmother that's why i liked this book and I recommend it to all the people who want to learn about the real struggle of black people.

[Sonia Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow wow wow this anthology is so so so so good.
Must Must Must Must read. Is such a nourishing joy. LOVE.