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Non-fiction Reader's Advisory Matrix

How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair (2023)

 1. Where is the book on the narrative continuum?

    Highly narrative 

2. What is the subject of the book?

    Rastafarianism and Coming of Age

3. What type of book is it?

    Coming of Age Memoir

4. Articulate Appeal

  •  Medium paced, covers many years of her life.
  •  Main character is a girl growing up in Jamaica in a strict Rastafarian household who wants to be a poet
  •  Supporting characters are her submissive mother, her domineering father, and an inspiring mentor
  •  The story feels sad yet hopeful.
  •  Intent of the author is to tell her story and the obstacles she overcame.
  •  Language matters as it includes dialog in Jamaican dialect and poetry as the main character becomes a poet herself
  •  The setting in Jamaica and the pervasive backdrop of Rastafarianism are important to the story
  •  Includes much detail of main character's family life, education, and path to success
  •  No charts, maps, or other materials.
  •  The reader will learn specific beliefs of Rastafarianism, gain understanding of what it was like to grow up in such a household, and experience triumph as the main character is able to make her own way in life as a successful poet in the United States.

 5. Why would a reader enjoy this book? 

    1. Rich character development     2. Learning/experience     3. Unique setting
 

Comments

  1. Jenni BellMarch 28, 2024 at 3:25 PM

    This sounds like a very rich life story--"thick" with description as we used to say in Anthropology. I'm very intrigued by the interplay of regular prose with Jamaican dialect and poetry and am curious about Rastafarianism and why the cover shows cutting off a dreadlock. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Abigail BarrettMarch 31, 2024 at 6:45 PM

    This sounds so interesting! I'm intrigued by the poetry woven within, and it seems like such a personal, intentional memoir. And I'm a sucker for a good memoir!

    ReplyDelete

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