Written by Mackenzie Manley, Content Specialist, Downtown Main Library
When Brittany J. Thurman was a child, she devoured the American Girl My America book series, specifically those featuring Addy Walker. Set in 1864, the stories follow Addy who, at age nine, escaped slavery in North Carolina and rebuilt her life in Philadelphia alongside family.
“I loved Addy Walker, but as an adult I really question why the books put in my hands were about enslavement or trauma,” said Brittany. “As a kid, I craved books that were just about Black kids doing everyday things.”
Brittany made it her goal to create stories about kids achieving their dreams and doing so joyfully. And she did just that. She is the author of Fly, a Golden-Kite Award-winning picture book, and seven other titles, including Forever and Always. She also penned the middle-grade detective series Opal Watson: Private Eye.
You can hear from Brittany at the African American Read In on Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library’s Downtown Main location.
The event runs from noon-3 p.m. Along with an appearance from Brittany, attendees will enjoy storytimes from CHPL youth librarians and activities for all ages, including mystery-solving just like Opal Watson! There will also be two book discussions for adults (Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez and James by Percival Everett), and individual reading on the Social Stairs.
A resident of Louisville, Kentucky, Brittany remembers going to the Louisville Free Public Library with her grandmother. They would pick out their books and, upon returning home, would often read their books together side-by-side. It was there that her love of literature was first cultivated. She went on to study theater in London, England, and Dramatic Writing at Carnegie Mellon University. Later, she worked as a children’s library assistant at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
“I learned from the librarians that I worked with that the role of the Library, and the role of the librarian, goes so beyond the shelf,” said Brittany. “All of those experiences shape and continue to shape me as a writer.”
While she aims to present joy and resilience in her books, Brittany said that many of her stories are still imbued with hints of history. She notes the importance of recognizing, learning from, and not repeating the past.
Her grandmother, too, has been a source of inspiration. On rides to church every other Sunday in Hodgenville, Kentucky with her grandmother and great aunts, Brittany recalls hearing them tell stories of their personal past. She wishes that, back then, she had realized the value of keeping or recording their stories.
“My goal is to always hold on in some way to the stories that my elders told,” said Brittany. “Kids relate to things that have already happened. When I tell kids about my experiences traveling to Hodgenville, being with not only my grandmother but my great-grandmother — and how she would ask me to give her sugar — when I visit schools, there are so many kids that have a similar story.”
Often, it’s those small details that, while easily lost to history, are what resonates the most with people. Along with history, Brittany hits on other themes in her work: self-esteem, perseverance, friendship, and family.
Brittany added that it meant “everything” to her to be asked to join community and celebrate African American readers, authors, and books at the African American Read in at CHPL.
“My goal is always to share my love of stories, but also to share this love of literacy,” she said. “Whether it is for a child or an adult, I want everyone to know that there is something out there for them.”
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