Mama’s Chicken and Dumplings by Dionna L. Mann

Mama’s Chicken and Dumplings features a winsome protagonist trying her hand at parental matchmaking.

Mama’s Chicken and Dumplings by Dionna L. Mann. Holiday House/Margaret Ferguson Books, 2024, 186 pages.

Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10

Recommended for: ages 6-10 as a read-aloud, ages 8-12 independent readers

Alexandra (Allie) Lewis has a lot to be grateful for, even while growing up black in Charlottesville, Virginia, in the 1930s. Her neighborhood of Vinegar Hill minds its own business and lets the white folk mind theirs. Mama has a decent job and Allie enjoys school and music and sharing confidences with her best friend Jewel—such as her brilliant Find-a-Man-for-Mama Plan. Allie’s daddy took off before she could even remember him, but since they got word of his death Mama is free to remarry. A daddy who could fix things, sing, and smile would make life perfect. Now that she is getting ready to start fifth grade, Allie is ready to take charge by surveying the crop of eligible men, choosing the most desirable, and nudging him toward matrimony. Once he tastes Mama’s chicken and dumplings the plan will succeed on its own.

Mr. Johnson at the antique store fits all the criteria, but the Plan is barely launched before Jewel has to move away. Worse, another man starts making eyes at Mama, and he’s totally unacceptable. Allie likes Mr. Coles as a music teacher, but NOT a potential daddy, mainly because he’s the uncle of that stuck-up, sarcastic, has-everything Gwen Turner. The possibility of Gwen as a relative is unacceptable, so the Plan expands to discouraging Mr. Coles while simultaneously nudging Mr. Johnson.

Hijinks ensue, as in any attempt at child-run matchmaking, but Allie has a winning voice that will get readers on her side even as they can see disaster looming. The appeal of the novel lies in its depiction of a strong community of diligent, church-going African Americans who look out for each other and meet challenges with humor and resilience. Allie and her friends and family experience prejudice outside of Vinegar Hill but don’t let it get them down or hold them back. Mama will get her man, Allie will resolve some conflicts, and music will cement community bonds, making for a satisfying conclusion. An extensive Author Note chronicles the actual Vinegar Hill neighborhood of Charlottesville.

Bottom line: A warm-hearted, gently humorous comedy of errors featuring strong family and community bonds.

Also at Redeemed Reader:

• Review: Ben Washington (starred review) is another African-American hero readers can get behind.
• Review: Carved in Ebony (starred) features black women of faith.
• Review: Unspeakable is the tragic true story of another successful black community destroyed by hatred and hysteria.

We are participants in the Amazon LLC affiliate program; purchases you make through affiliate links like the one below may earn us a commission. Read more here.

Order Mama’s Chicken and Dumplings from Amazon.