Join us for a community conversation about the book “The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be" with award-winning author Shannon Gibney. For adults and teens. Presented in partnership with Clark-Grace United Church of Christ, City of South St. Paul and Pastors in Action.
Kaposia
Saturday, Jan. 17, 10 a.m.–noon
About the book
Part memoir, part speculative fiction, “The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be" tells the true story of author Shannon Gibney's experience growing up as the adopted Black daughter of white parents in America, alongside the fictional story of Erin Powers, the name Shannon was given at birth by the white woman who put her up for adoption.
Recipient of The Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence.
About the author
Shannon Gibney is a writer, educator and activist. She is author of several books, including:
- The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be: A Speculative Memoir of Transracial Adoption, which received a Michael L. Printz Honor and a Minnesota Book Award
- See No Color and Dream Country, both winners of Minnesota Book Awards
- Where We Come From (co-authored), winner of the 2023 Carter G. Woodson Award
- Sam and the Incredible African and American Food Fight
- We Miss You, George Floyd (published in November)
A Bush Artist and McKnight Writing Fellow, Gibney teaches at Minneapolis College, where she was named Educator of the Year in 2023. She lives with her two children in Minneapolis.
