Denene Millner

The author's personal history (abandoned on the steps of an orphanage when she was a baby, the 'miracle' of being adopted into a loving family, although not knowing it wasn't her birth family until, aged twelve, she came across her adoption certificate whilst 'snooping') shape and drive this at times harrowing, but always intensely moving and thought-provoking story. As is the case for so many women who have been adopted, it wasn't until she became pregnant and was being asked questions show more about her familial health that she realised that, not knowing anything about her blood-family, these were questions she would never have the answers to. In her acknowledgments she shares that it was her subsequent 'meditations on miracles, adoption, motherhood, Blackness, Black womanhood, choices and blood' which led her to write this novel in order to explore these issues and to give a contextual voice to mothers who feel forced to abandon their babies.
Although it is, of course, impossible to actually walk the proverbial mile in another person's shoes, I found that the author's powerful, intensely evocative and frequently poetic prose quickly drew me into the inner lives of her empathically-portrayed three main female characters (birth mother Grace, adoptive mother Lolo and Rae, the daughter who is the link between them), enabling me to gain at least some insights into the challenges and dilemmas they faced in their lives. The storyline spans the tumultuous decades between the 1960s and the early twenty-first century, allowing reflection on both the huge cultural changes which have taken place, as well as the racial inequality which still exists. Rather depressingly, the themes explored were not unfamiliar (racism, bigotry, exploitation, patriarchy, misogyny, cycles of sexual and physical abuse, the influence of nature v nurture, to name just a few) but the visceral quality of the author's writing made it impossible to look away from the effects of these on the characters' lives, relationships and sense of identity, making this an at times deeply-disturbing story to read. However, to off-set this, it is also a story about the power of love and the importance of feeling secure in our identity. show less

I'm really impressed with this short biography -- doesn't shy away from some of the uglier parts of history (lynching), and celebrates Madam CJ Walker's bright, stubborn spirit. She was such a powerhouse, and never stopped fighting for her community. Very inspiring.

Denene Millner, author of the adult Hotlanta series, turns to children's books with this new story, inspired by actor Will Smith and his hit television show, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Destiny, a young girl nicknamed the "Fresh Princess" by her family, must face her biggest challenge yet when her family moves to Philadelphia. Feeling shy and insecure at first, she initially refuses to join the local neighborhood children in their game of Double Dutch. Encouraged by her father and sister show more however, she soon gathers her courage, and finds that she fits right in...

I don't usually care for children's books that coattail ride on celebrity culture, so when I saw the little decal on the front cover of Fresh Princess declaring that it was inspired by Will Smith - "The Fresh Prince" - I approached with caution. The story was actually quite sweet however, and the artwork cute, in a cartoon-like way. I don't know that this really needed to be associated with a television show at all, as the story works quite well without that connection. I suppose for fans of the show, it adds some extra appeal, but for me it felt gratuitous. On the other hand, it was nice to see a "moving house" story featuring an African-American family. It is to readers looking for such a book, as well as to fans of Will Smith and his television show, that I would recommend this one.

(Note: Although Millner is not a celebrity herself, I have added this title to my 'celebrity authors' shelf, given its overt association with a celebrity) show less

Honesty time.. the whole time I kept reading this book I kept hearing the Fresh Prince theme song in my head. So then I kept accidentally saying fresh prince instead of fresh princess.

This story was cute. It's about a young girl who's family moves to a different city. She's already happy at her home and she's very "fresh". She's confident and brave and isn't afraid to get back up if she falls. But moving to a new city is scary and she loses that fresh feeling. It's a slow process but with show more some exploration and confidence building she starts to come back to herself.

I love the thought that went into this story. Confidence isn't always an easy thing to build in yourself. It's even harder when you have to move to a new, strange place. I love how picture books usually have an underlying theme. This would be a great book to read to someone who is scared of change and needs to build themselves back up to where they originally were. Plus it's a princess book! What more can you ask?

The illustrations for this book were wonderful. Bright, vibrant and full of interesting things to look at. show less