Ghostwriter#
| Title |
Published |
Buy on Amazon |
| The Book Chase |
1994 |
Buy |
Ghostwriter Non-Fiction#
| Title |
Published |
Buy on Amazon |
| WRITE NOW! |
1994 |
Buy |
I Hadn’t Meant to Tell You This Reading Order#
| Title |
Published |
Buy on Amazon |
| I Hadn’t Meant to Tell You This |
1994 |
Buy |
| Lena |
1999 |
Buy |
If You Come Softly Reading Order#
| Title |
Published |
Buy on Amazon |
| If You Come Softly |
1998 |
Buy |
| Behind You |
2004 |
Buy |
Locomotion Reading Order#
| Title |
Published |
Buy on Amazon |
| Locomotion |
2003 |
Buy |
| Peace, Locomotion |
2009 |
Buy |
Maizon Reading Order#
| Title |
Published |
Buy on Amazon |
| Last Summer with Maizon |
1990 |
Buy |
| Maizon at Blue Hill |
1992 |
Buy |
| Between Madison and Palmetto |
1993 |
Buy |
Jacqueline Woodson is an American author who writes for children, teenagers, and adults. Born in Columbus, Ohio in 1963, she grew up in South Carolina and Brooklyn, New York. Her writing often explores themes of identity, race, friendship, and family through the lens of young Black characters.
Woodson began publishing in the early 1990s and quickly established herself as an important voice in children’s and young adult literature. Her Maizon trilogy follows two best friends in Brooklyn, while her Locomotion books use verse to tell the story of an orphaned boy named Lonnie. She has also written several companion novels including If You Come Softly and its sequel Behind You, which explore interracial relationships and tragedy.
Beyond her fiction, Woodson has contributed to anthologies and written nonfiction, including her acclaimed memoir Brown Girl Dreaming. She continues to write across age groups, creating stories that resonate with readers seeking authentic representations of Black childhood and adolescence in America.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jacqueline Woodson best known for?
Jacqueline Woodson is best known for her National Book Award-winning memoir in verse, Brown Girl Dreaming (2014), as well as her novels for young readers including the Maizon trilogy, Locomotion, and her picture books for children.
What order should I read the Maizon books?
The Maizon series should be read in publication order: Last Summer with Maizon (1990), Maizon at Blue Hill (1992), and Between Madison and Palmetto (1993). The series follows the friendship between Margaret and Maizon as they navigate growing up in Brooklyn.
Has Jacqueline Woodson won any major awards?
Yes, Woodson has won numerous awards including the National Book Award for Brown Girl Dreaming, multiple Coretta Scott King Awards, and Newbery Honors. She served as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature from 2018-2019.