You are More than Magic
Author: Minda Harts
Year: 2022.
ISBN: 9780593326619.
Publisher: Dial Books.
Grade Level: 8-12.
Genre: Nonfiction, self-help.
Trailer: Everyone has heard of Black Girl Magic, but what about the dedication, strength, and soul behind that magic? Learn how to cultivate your magic through self-advocating, confidence, and honoring your truth.
If self-help feels too stuffy and just rocking with your Black Girl Magic feels too unguided you have happily stumbled upon the perfect book. This novel takes all of the best things about self-help books but instead of being too jargon-y and its like your really cool, successful older sister is talking to you about life. In a combination of personal experiences, expert advice, guiding questions, and daily mantras, author Minda Harts guides young women of color through some life changing information. Harts discusses the importance of advocating for yourself, how to have hard conversations with people in your life, the power of friendships, and more.
Check out this song "Black Girl Magik" by Sampa the Great!
Now, take a look at this other take on Black Girl Magic.
Created by: Minda Harts is a podcaster, author, and public speaker who focuses on empowering women (Minda Harts, n.d). Her other books Right Within: How To Heal From Racial Trauma In The Workplace and The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table focus specifically on empowering Women of Color. I've included one of her podcast episodes below. It's called "Leading While Black". Check her out!
Analysis: I had no idea what to expect going into this novel and I was so pleasantly surprised. Admittedly, I cracked it open in the parking lot of the Decatur Public Library and didn't stop reading for over an hour. I was just sitting in a parked car devouring this book. The tone is really what captivated me at first. Sometimes these types of books can feel really inaccessible and so distant from more conversational advice. Harts nailed that semi-casual tone that makes the reader feel like they are in an ongoing conversation with the author. That aspect was enhanced by the frequent check-ins Hart provided with her questions. Not only are there check-ins included in the text, but there is a workbook of questions embedded in the back of the book to supplement the chapters.
The other standout about this book is how practical the advice is. If you've ever sat through talk therapy or read other self-help you might be familiar with the concept of getting advice from someone who isn't telling you what to do. There are not many mental health resources that give you a step-by-step how-to on navigating life. But that is what Hart effectively provides in this book. The mantras and check-in questions she provide give a solid framework to build a routine off of.
Potential issues: It would be hard to find issues with this nonfiction empowerment novel. Any issues would be directed to a collection development policy.
In the library: Wouldn't it be so awesome to actually book Minda Harts to come speak at an event at the library?! I would love to make that happen. If that could not be accomplished I think it would be helpful to make worksheets of some of the questions Harts poses in this book.
Reason for Inclusion: I've heard really good things about the author of this book and I think her messages are awesome. Hart is empowering Women of Color all across the globe through practical advice and I think her books should be displayed and promoted as much as possible.
Sources.
Button Poetry. (2016, April 13th) Shasparay - Black girl magic. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XwhVnBoSVE
Minda Harts. (n.d). Minda Hearts. https://www.mindaharts.com/
Minda Harts. [@Mindaharts]. (2023). Happy International Women's Day! I love being a woman, I love being a Black woman, I love being a woman of color, I love being a sister, a daughter, a friend, a dog mom, and all the intersections I sit at. Celebrating all women today—You are dope! ♥️ [photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpil5cmODDP/
Sampa the Great. (2018, April 4th) Sampa The Great feat. Nicole Gumbe - Black Girl Magik (Official Video). Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ9o14s2v4I
You are more than magic. (n.d). Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60763633-you-are-more-than-magic
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