The Girl in the
Yellow Poncho
By: Kristal Brent Zook
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, childhood sexual assault, economic insecurity, and multiple generations of 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 define their lives.
The Girl in the
Yellow Poncho
By: Kristal Brent Zook
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, childhood sexual assault, economic insecurity, and multiple generations of 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 define their lives.
Chosen as one of the best and most anticipated books for 2023 by:
The Girl in the
Yellow Poncho
A Memoir
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.
Why This Story?
The multiracial college population has exploded over the past 20 years. Zook has spoken on the issue of biracial identity for a many years. As a college professor, she has watched as mixed-race student groups have grown and expanded with this incredible demographic shift in the American population. Multiracial youth are by far the fastest growing population in the country, and there’s a real hunger for voices like hers who can speak to these shifting identities.
Behind the Story
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 strengthening the bond with her mother to create the family of her dreams, which she does through forgiveness and sheer force of will. A testament to the power of settling into one’s own authentic identify, 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.
About The Author
Kristal
Brent Zook
Journalist, Author, Storyteller
Kristal Brent Zook is a professor of journalism at Hofstra University and the author of three previous books: Color by Fox: The Fox Network and the Revolution in Black Television, Black Women’s Lives: Stories of Pain and Power, and I See Black People: The Rise and Fall of African American-Owned Television and Radio. Zook’s entertainment, cultural, and social justice journalism has appeared in Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, Life, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times Book Review, Essence, The Washington Post, and elsewhere. She is based in Miami and New York.
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Appearances and Events
August 6th @ 8:30 AM
A conversation w/ @SreeSrinivasan @NeilParekh at the #NYTReadalong about my new book “The Girl in the Yellow Poncho”.
August 12th @ 9:30 a.m.
Free virtual talk: “30 Years as a Professional Writer: Ask Me Anything!”
August 12th @ 10:00 a.m.
“Invisible Identities: How multiracial experience is changing our sense of identity and belonging”
August 14th @ 5:00 p.m.
Octavia’s Bookshelf / Pasadena, CA
August 26th @ 5:00 p.m.
Books and Books / Miami, FL
September 25th @ 7:00 p.m.
Huemanbooks / New York, NY
October 19th @ 7:00 p.m.
Elliot Bay Book Company / Seattle, WA
October 24th @ 7:00 p.m.
Theodore’s Bookshop / Long Island, NY
November 6th @ 2:40 p.m.
Hofstra University. Celebrating Our Own with memoir authors Kristal Brent Zook, Martha McPhee, and Kelly McMasters.
November 19th @ 3:00 p.m.
Miami Book Fair
January 16th, 2024 @ 5:00 p.m.
East Carolina University
March 30, 2024 @ 3:00 p.m.
The Book Jewel / Los Angeles, CA
April 29, 2024 @6:30 p.m.
Books & Books / Coral Gables, FL – A conversation with Kara Alaimo about her new book: “Over the Influence: Why Social Media is Toxic for Women and Girls”