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Griot African-American Book Discussion

The Ditchdigger's Daughters by Yvonne S. Thornton

The Griot Book Discussion features books by African-American authors. Meets in-person or via Zoom on the third Tuesday of the month. November's book: The Ditchdigger's Daughters by Yvonne S. Thornton.

Monthly book discussion featuring works by African-American authors and meets in person at Eola Road Branch or on Zoom! Please register and choose your attendance option. Copies of the book are available for checkout at the Eola Road Branch Adult Reference Desk on the 2nd floor. Contact group facilitator Becky Clark at 630-264-4262 or email rclark@aurorapubliclibrary.org for more information.

Book description:

The Ditchdigger's Daughter by Yvonne S. Thornton

“I Love You Better Than I Love Life…” Donald Thornton told his six daughters. “But I’m not always gonna be around to look after you, and no man’s gonna come along and offer to take care of you because you ain’t light-skinned. That’s why you gotta be able to look after yourselves. And for that you gotta be smart.” The Ditchdigger’s Daughters is an inspiring portrait by a loving daughter of a father whose pervasive common sense, folk wisdom, and untutored but right-on insights gave his children their road map to a better life. It is the story of a man who dared to dream that his black daughters would someday become doctors—and who guided them to achieve the seemingly impossible goals he set for them. From the tenements of East Harlem to the footlights of the Apollo Theatre to the halls of an Ivy League medical school, Dr. Yvonne Thornton has written a family biography that is as moving as it is inspiring. Here is the story of a poor black father and his unimaginable dream of seeing all six of his daughters become doctors; of the wisdom and guidance that gave his girls the strength to keep striving; and of the remarkable way that each one of them transcended race, color, and gender to fulfill the promise of the American Dream.   

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