At five years old, Kristal Brent Zook sat on the steps of a Venice Beach, California, motel trying to make sense of her white father's abandonment, which left her feeling unworthy of a man's love and of white protection. Raised by her working-class African American mother and grandmother, Zook was taught not to count on anyone, especially men. Men leave. Men disappoint. In adulthood she became a feminist, activist, and "race woman" journalist in New York City. Despite her professional success, something was missing. Coming to terms with her identity was a constant challenge.
The Girl in the Yellow Poncho is Zook's coming-of-age tale about what it means to be biracial in America. Throughout, she grapples with in-betweenness while also facing childhood sexual assault, economic insecurity, and multigenerational alcoholism and substance abuse on both the Black and white sides of her family. Her story is one of strong Black women-herself, her cousin, her mother, and her grandmother-and the generational cycles of oppression and survival that seemingly defined their lives.
Setting out on an inner journey that takes her across oceans and continents, Zook tells the story of a little girl who never gives up on love, even long after it seems to have been destroyed. In the end she triumphs, reconciling with her father and mother to create the family of her dreams through forgiveness and sheer force of will. A testament to the power of settling into one's authentic identity, this book tells a story of a daughter's lifelong yearning, a mother's rediscovery of lost love, and the profound power of atonement and faith to heal a broken family.
Industry Reviews
"After thirty years of reporting, Kristal Brent Zook has turned inward to write a deeply personal, frank, and inspirational story about race and class." -- Ada Calhoun, author of * Why We Can't Sleep: Women's New Midlife Crisis *
"Kristal Brent Zook's coming-of-age memoir is a thought-provoking tale of triumph outdistancing pain, of never giving up on love and hope despite childhood traumas and a broken family. Kristal writes so beautifully and urgently. The Girl in the Yellow Poncho will absolutely absorb you." -- Kevin Merida, coauthor of * Obama: The Historic Campaign in Photographs *
"Brilliantly capturing the complexities of contemporary Black women's experiences, The Girl in the Yellow Poncho is the most riveting, compelling memoir I have read." -- Beverly Guy-Sheftall, Anna Julia Cooper Professor of Women's Studies, Spelman College
"Kristal's story touched me deeply. It will touch everyone who has struggled with feeling the 'in-betweenness' that propels her riveting heroine's journey to define herself and create the family for which she yearned. The writing is as powerful as the message: love ultimately triumphs." -- Gloria Feldt, author of * Intentioning: Sex, Power, Pandemics, and How Women Will Take the Lead for (Everyone's) Good *
"Kristal Brent Zook's memoir is a wrenching, riveting and luminous coming-of-age story about what it means to grow up biracial. Her journey reads like a multigenerational tale woven by strong biracial and Black women-in this case, the daughters, mothers and grandmothers of Zook's family. With grace and generosity, Zook offers a universal testament to the power of forgiveness and healing-and the strength found through discovering one's authentic identity. At a time when we often feel lost, this memoir reveals what it means to be found." -- Katrina vanden Heuvel, Publisher, * The Nation *
"Kristal Brent Zook has written an honest, illuminating look at her life, loves and culture." -- Nelson George, author of * City Kid: A Writer's Memoir of Ghetto Life and Post-Soul Success *
"A powerful memoir about a woman's odyssey for connection, self-identity, and love." * Kirkus Reviews *
"In this intimate and generous memoir, Kristal Brent Zook explores the complexities of her past and the consummation of her present as a biracial daughter of a white father who left and the Black mother and grandmother who raised her." -- Karla J. Srand * Ms. Magazine *
"Zook recalls a childhood haunted by her missing father-and complicated by his return. A brave, heart-stirring memoir." * People *
