{"product_id":"miss-chloe-a-memoir-of-a-literary-friendship-with-toni-morrison-isbn-9780063031678","title":"Miss Chloe: A Memoir of a Literary Friendship with Toni Morrison","description":"\u003cp\u003e“Passionate, personal, insightful, testy, and unique.” —Kirkus (starred review)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Verdelle offers us testimony in praise and consideration of life as a literary citizen and Black woman alongside the guiding light of Toni Morrison. This is a holy testimony, indeed, one that deserves to be amen'd forever.” —Jason Reynolds, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Verdelle gives us the greatest gift—our beloved ancestor returned to us—generous and alive, remembered and revered. So grateful for this book in the world.” —Jacqueline Woodson, author of Another Brooklyn\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"If you let a black girl loose in a library, you may not recognize the woman who emerges.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e—from Miss Chloe\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eToni Morrison, born Chloe A Wofford, was a towering figure in the world of literature when she entered A.J. Verdelle’s life. Their literary friendship was a young writer’s dream—simultaneously exhilarating, intimidating, fulfilling, and challenging. The relationship crossed generations, spanned several cycles in life, exhibited high and low notes, reached and dipped and found its way. Like many women friends, these two writers imagined and built a relationship that was responsive, inventive, and engaged.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMiss Chloe powerfully situates the risks writers face and the freedom they find when they put Black women’s lives into words. Verdelle chronicles her grief at Morrison’s passing, and finds comfort in Morrison’s astute advice—wisdom Verdelle didn’t always recognize at the time. In this pensive and intricately lyrical book, Verdelle honors Morrison among the cultural greats, while illuminating and celebrating the power of language, legacy, and genius.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA. J. Verdelle is the award-winning author of the novel, The Good Negress. She teaches Creative Writing at Morgan State University and at the MFA program at Lesley University. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis intimate account is more than a tribute—it’s an apprenticeship in life, literature, and the art of friendship.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eLiterary Friendship:\u003c\/b\u003e An up-close portrait of the exhilarating, intimidating, and deeply nurturing relationship between a young writer and her literary idol, the towering figure she simply called Miss Chloe.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eA Tribute to Black Women Writers:\u003c\/b\u003e Verdelle situates her bond with Morrison within a powerful legacy of Black womanhood, celebrating the risks and freedoms of putting their lives into words.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eA Masterclass on Writing and Genius:\u003c\/b\u003e Discover the wisdom and astute advice on language and craft that Morrison shared, offering a rare glimpse into the mind of a literary giant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMentorship and Memory:\u003c\/b\u003e A heartfelt exploration of grief, remembrance, and the wisdom gained from a once-in-a-lifetime mentorship that continued to offer guidance long after it ended.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e | \u003cp\u003e“It's hard to put into words how much I love \u003cem\u003eMiss Chloe\u003c\/em\u003e. Part memoir, part homage, part literary reflection, this rare glimpse into a remarkable sisterhood between A.J. Verdelle and Toni Morrison will take its place among the classics. I will treasure this book forever.\"  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDolen Perkins-Valdez, NYT bestselling author of Wench and Take My Hand\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e“In \u003cem\u003eMiss Chloe\u003c\/em\u003e, Verdelle offers us testimony in praise and consideration of life as a literary citizen and Black woman alongside the guiding light of Toni Morrison. This is a holy testimony, indeed, one that deserves to be amen'd forever.\" \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eJason Reynolds, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e   “Wasn’t I waiting for a memoir like this, for the depth—and dearness—of a literary friendship between two brilliant Black women? Yes, indeed, I surely was. And reading these frank and lovely recollections made me love Morrison even more—made me love Verdelle for writing this memoir. Thank you, my sister! Thank you for this indomitable act of generosity.” \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eHonorée Fanonne Jeffers, author of the New York Times bestseller, The Love Songs of W. E. B. Du Bois\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Verdelle has created a remarkable literary portrait and memoir.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The admiration and love Verdelle shows for her friend, who left us in 2019, is unquestionable, and Miss Chloe is an intimate and powerful tribute that Toni Morrison deserves.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLos Angeles Review of Books\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003cem\u003eMiss Chloe\u003c\/em\u003e is a rich and wise meditation on the literary paragon that is Toni Morrison. In prose  that is at once lyrical and precise, A.J. Verdelle has delivered an enthralling book on the bounty of long friendship, the dynamism of black culture, the genesis of black genius, the myriad wonders of black women, and the power of literature to shape exceptional lives. Miss Chloe meets the measure of its incomparable central figure, a feat if ever there was one.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eMitchell S. Jackson, Winner of the Pulitzer Prize\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Passionate, personal, insightful, testy, and unique.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003cem\u003eMiss Chloe\u003c\/em\u003e is a joyous, eloquent memoir of a lively, emotionally rich, and intensely bookish friendship. In honoring Toni Morrison, A.J. Verdelle has given us a personal celebration of family, women, education, libraries, and, always, the power of words. Verdelle generously includes us in her lavish love of all things literary. This is a glorious book.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eCathleen Schine, author of The Grammarians\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A.J. Verdelle was gifted a rare opportunity to witness literary genius. Reading \u003cem\u003eMiss Chloe\u003c\/em\u003e is tantamount to taking a masterclass from two incredible writers.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eByllye Y Avery, Founder, Black Women’s Health Imperative\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003cem\u003eMiss Chloe\u003c\/em\u003e is an achievement. In a work as intimate as it is ambitious, A.J. Verdelle frankly and lovingly illuminates Toni Morrison’s vast influence as a writer and editor on Black life, culture, and Verdelle herself, all the while weaving together reflections on the complexities of human friendship, the necessity of literature and reading, the demands of the writing life, the meaning of family and community, and the obligation to persevere. A beautiful, essential book.” \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eJane Brox, author of Silence and Brilliant\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A.J. Verdelle, one of our very best writers, has given us a memoir that includes a glimpse of her own literary genius, the women who raised her, the ultimate power of a literary life and her special relationship with our grand queen of Black literature, Toni Morrison. Written with grace and heart, you won’t be able to put this book down and then you’ll place it on the shelf with your sacred favorites.”  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eCrystal Wilkinson, author of Perfect Black and The Birds of Opulence\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e","brand":"Amistad","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44890418741477,"sku":"NP9780063031678","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780063031678.jpg?v=1730233244","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/miss-chloe-a-memoir-of-a-literary-friendship-with-toni-morrison-isbn-9780063031678","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}