Mama's Chicken and Dumplings - by Dionna L Mann

About the Book

"Set in the 1930s in the African American community of Vinegar Hill in Charlottesville, Virginia, this book follows ten-year-old Allie, who devises a secret Man for Mama Plan to find her mama a husband"--

Book Synopsis

Growing up in segregated 1930's Charlottesville, ten-year-old Allie is determined to find a man for her mama to marry-- but not just any man will do!

Allie's life with Mama isn't bad, but she knows it could be better if Mama would find someone to marry. Allie's worst enemy, her NOT-friend Gwen, has a daddy, and Allie wants someone like that--someone to fix things when they break, someone who likes to sing, and has a kind-smile.

So Allie makes a plan--her super secret Man-For-Mama plan. She has a list of candidates with a clear top choice: Mr. Johnson, who owns the antique store. Best of all, Mr. Johnson went to school with Mama, and he wants to get reacquainted! The battle's half won, and Allie is sure that when he tries Mama's yummy chicken and dumplings, he'll be head over heels.

But someone else is interested in Mama: Mr. Coles, Allie's teacher, who's also Gwen's uncle! Mama can't marry him--no way is Allie going to be related to Gwen. On top of it all, Allie's best friend is moving to Chicago; Allie keeps getting in trouble; and everyone seems to think she's jealous of Gwen, for some reason. Nothing is going how she planned, but Allie is determined to get things back on track toward the life she knows she and Mama both deserve. . . even if Mama doesn't agree yet.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
A Children's Book Council Librarians' Favorite
An Omaha Public Library Historical Fiction Pick
A Morton Grove Library Staff Recommendation

Review Quotes

★ "Mann delivers a stellar, historically accurate novel, inspired by real members of the 1930s Black Charlottesville community of Vinegar Hill. Short chapters keep up the pace as Allie navigates intertwined relationships, familial expectations, classism, and race. This outstanding, funny novel is a welcome addition to the historical fiction genre focused on BIPOC in the U.S. and should be perfect for fans of Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson." Shelf Awareness Starred Review

"Mann weaves in many period details that bring authenticity to the narrative. The well-drawn school, church, and home settings create believable backdrops for Mann's first middle-grade novel, a simply told, heartening story of a girl facing ethical dilemmas and achieving what had once seemed to be impossible."--Booklist

"[An] amiable story."--The Horn Book

"[A] sweet tale"--Publishers Weekly

"Mann delivers all the right ingredients--an original setting, fresh characters, one truly spunky girl--and serves them up with honesty and love. Mama's Chicken and Dumplings is delicious!" --Kathryn Erskine, National Book Award Winner

About the Author

Dionna L. Mann is an independent researcher and resident of Virginia who loves uncovering human-interest stories hidden within African-American history. As a work for hire author, she's written for Scholastic Press, Lerner, and Capstone, among others. This is her debut novel. Visit her at dionnalmann.com.