The Only Black Girls in Town

Alberta has been the only Black girl her age in her California beach town for as long as she can remember.  She loves surfing and has spent her summer at surf camp and hanging out with her best friend Laramie.  

When Laramie starts hanging out with the popular crowd, Alberta is hurt and confused.  They've always been like sisters, and the leader of this group is Alberta's enemy.  This is the one thing Laramie has never really understood, but Nicollette shows her dislike for Alberta with all kinds of small and large actions designed to make Alberta feel like an outsider.  

When she finds out the bed and breakfast across the street has finally been sold, she hopes the new owners will have a daughter her age.  But it's better than she could ever hope. Not only is there a girl her age; she's also Black!  Alberta is sure they will become fast friends, but Edie isn't too happy with life in small town California after growing up in New York, especially since her father isn't really making an effort to maintain their relationship.

Edie finds a box of journals in her new attic bedroom, and she and Alberta begin to read and discuss them.  The author of these journals clearly has secrets, and the two girls are determined to discover her identity and the truth.  

This middle grade debut by Brandy Colbert is a perfect combination traditional middle grade tropes like changing friendships and the subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) microaggressions Alberta has been trying to manage on her own.  She's been dealing with these on her own, and with no sounding board, she's been questioning herself.  The present day plot blends perfectly with the story in the journals which turns out to be a girl passing as white during segregation.  Alberta's fathers are supportive gay parents, and there is a sweet subplot involving her biological mother.  Recommended!