“Black Girl Unlimited” by Echo Brown

A debut novel that is heavily autobiographical and infused with magical realism, this is the story of Echo Brown, a young wizard growing up in the East Side of Cleveland. As she grows in her powers, she opens new portals of opportunity for her life – transferring to a rich school on the West Side, being mentored by one of her teachers, and getting a new best friend. Echo straddles living in between these two worlds as she battles the dark veils of pain that flows in everyone around her.  This novel weaves together heavy topics of poverty, sexual violence, depression, racism, and sexism through a magical lens that leaves you breathless.