Charlene Allen: "My Fairy God Somebody"

Join Charlene Allen to discuss the One Book Baltimore selection My Fairy God Somebody. One Book Baltimore is a collaboration between the Enoch Pratt Free Library, T. Rowe Price Foundation, and Baltimore City Public Schools.

Author Charlene Allen blends mystery, romance, and friendship in this contemporary YA novel.

The way Clae’s mom tells it, her dad took off when Clae was a baby, end of story. Ever since, it’s just been the two of them, living in the coastal city of Gloucester, where Clae is one of the only few Black girls. But when Clae discovers clues about a mysterious person she calls her fairy god somebody, she’s determined to know more.

Her chance comes when she’s accepted into a summer journalism program in New York City, where her parents lived before she was born. With a couple of leads and a steel resolve, Clae leaves home for the first time to find out about her history.

New York is as full of magic as it is mystery, not to mention romance. From Brooklyn to Broadway, Clae and her new friends, Nze and Joelle, explore neighborhood haunts and hustles, discovering a family trail that someone’s tried hard to bury. So who is the fairy god somebody? And can Clae use her sleuthing skills to find out the truth?

Set against one unforgettable NYC summer, this is the story of lies that run deep and patterns that are meant to be broken. Clae, Nze, and Joelle will stick with you and remind you that every girl deserves to write her own story.

About the Author:

Charlene Allen works with community organizations to heal trauma and fight injustice, especially the beast called mass incarceration. She received her MFA from the New School, her JD from Northeastern University, and her BA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She lives in Brooklyn with her fabulous family and their very silly dog. Play the Game was her first novel. You can visit her at charleneallen.com.

About the Program:

• Doors will open to registered attendees at 3 pm.
• All registered in person attendees will receive a free copy of the book while supplies last.
• Bike parking, metered parking, limited free street parking, and electric car charging stations are available.

Host or Publisher Enoch Pratt Free Library