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Poetry General

Afraid of the Dark

by (author) Guyleigh Johnson

Publisher
Pottersfield Press
Initial publish date
Dec 2018
Category
General
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781988286525
    Publish Date
    Dec 2018
    List Price
    $19.95
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781988286532
    Publish Date
    Sep 2018
    List Price
    $14.99

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

Through prose and poetry, Guyleigh Johnson tells the story of sixteen-year-old Kahlua Thomas. An absent father and an alcoholic mother leave Kahlua feeling neglected, but her real pain stems from being black. She finds it hard surviving in a poor neighbourhood and even tougher society. Trapped by her own insecurities, she cannot relate to the person in the mirror. She believes that if she doesn't acknowledge her thick hair, big lips, and dark skin maybe, just maybe, she'll be able to blend in. Yet the lack of diversity, equality, and heritage in her world makes her more intrigued about the black roots she tries to stray away from. With a hard life at home, on the streets, and in school she finds an escape during her grade ten history class through writing poetry. Hiding in the back of the class, she writes, passionately expressing and releasing emotions about identity, home, community, culture, and forgiveness. All Kahlua wants is freedom, whatever that really means.

About the author

This is Guyleigh's second book, following the release of Expect the Unexpected. Guyleigh Johnson is a 25-year-old spoken word artist/creative writer from North End Dartmouth. A community advocate, Johnson encourages youth to see their true potential and to step out of their comfort zone. In print, on YouTube, Facebook, and her personal webpage she's starting the conversation for change.

Guyleigh Johnson's profile page