A comet in the mounting firmament of third-world, non-white, female writers, Edwidge Danticat stands apart. An accomplished trilingual children’s and YA author, she is also an activist, op-ed and cinema writer, and keynote speaker. Much of her work introduces the world to the cultural uniqueness of Haiti, the first black republic, and the elements of African heritage, language, and Vodou that continue to color all aspects of the island’s art and self-expression.

This companion provides an in-depth look into the world and writings of Danticat through A-Z entries. These entries cover both her works and the prevalent themes of her writing, including colonialism, slavery, superstition, adaptation, dreams and coming of age. It also provides a biography of Danticat, a list of 32 aphorisms from her fiction, a guide to the names and histories of the real places in her fiction, lesson planning aids, and a robust glossary offering translations and definitions for the many Creole, French, Japanese, Latin, Spanish, and Taino terms in Danticat’s writing.

Mary Ellen Snodgrass is an award-winning author of English and Latin textbooks and reference works for 35 years. She taught at Hickory High School and Lenoir Rhyne University in North Carolina for 23 years. Her writing focuses on women’s and world literature and history and general research topics, including epidemics, the history of money, clothing, food, and dance. She lives in Hickory, North Carolina.

Mary Ellen Snodgrass

Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 281
Bibliographic Info: 11 illustrations, appendices, glossary, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2022
pISBN: 978-1-4766-8715-5
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4460-8
Imprint: McFarland
Series: McFarland Companions to Young Adult Literature

Acknowledgments vi
Preface 1
Introduction 3
A Biography of Edwidge Danticat
(January 19, 1969– ) 7
Edwidge Danticat Family Tree 41
The Companion 43
Glossary 227
Appendix A: Aphorisms in Danticat’s Writing 235
Appendix B: Historical References 236
Appendix C: A Guide to Places 241
Appendix D: A Guide to Writing, Art
and Research Topics 244
Bibliography 255
Index 269

“Academic programs wishing to promote Danticat’s authorship will appreciate the detailed and authoritative content… As a Black woman writer reflecting third-world sensibilities, Danticat deserves a wide audience. It is to be hoped that this timely offering will increase awareness and appreciation for her work.”—Booklist