“Be willing to walk alone in darkness rather than follow someone else's shadow.” A useful quote I find myself coming back to all the time from Wanda’s brilliant autobiography. The only autobiography I can read over and over again. Honestly, I can't say that about any other book but this one. My Auntie gave it to me a while ago and insisted I read it when I have time on my hands. And so I did, and did not regret it one bit. It's such a real, from the heart, touching, such informational story. I can't fully relate to her life and the way she grew up but I definitely do know where she's coming from. I'm really glad I'm one of the lucky ones who got to hear her story. I had never been interested in too many autobiographies because most of them in the past had been boring, but I definitely clung to this one. 

  To begin, this book is about the author herself, Wanda M. Thomas. In this book Wanda shares her struggles growing up without her biological parents. She faces a lot of challenges but she remains strong and hopeful. Wanda gives a lot of advice about raising children and signs to pay attention to. She is very motivational in her book about how to get through difficult times and remembering who you are. 

The main character in this book is of course Wanda and the people who were a part of her life growing up. Wanda is located in Locust Grove, Georgia. I don't believe she has any other published books but “When Girls Cry”. Wanda is a certified life coach, ordained pastor, Mother of 4 sons and more. She experiences many traumatic events throughout her life as a little girl all the way until her teen years. She herself, her story, her life then and now, all show others there is hope, that you can move on and do better.

The Main message I believe Wanda was trying to get across is that Young girls or boys, even adults, who might be going through things, feeling alone, need to realize that when in difficult times you can turn to god, and remember your faith. Forgiveness and acceptance are two things that will help you move forward. Hope leads to the process of healing. 

This isn't fantasy, historical fiction, or literary fiction, this is real so there isn't a plot, but the setting of her growing up takes place in Georgia where she still is located. The genre of this book is nonfiction and autobiography because the author, Wanda, shares her story exactly how things went down in her life and her process moving forward. The people she talks about in this book are REAL people who did REAL things to her and were REALLY a part of her life. In her book, “When Girls Cry” you can go to page 44-47, to see real pictures of Wanda and those who were a part of her life. 

I hope if you might be reading this review you think of somebody you love, somebody who could use a little bit of advice or mental motivation in their life. Maybe even you. This book changed the way I looked at a lot of things and has personally helped me. I'm still learning how to cope with all my feelings, to understand, and move forward with them, it's not an easy thing to do. Something I feel I have been doing my whole life but Wanda's powerful words and story really have stuck with me. I for sure know that's saying something because I've never minded reading, but I'm not fond of it. But I fell in love with this book. Maybe her story can help you too.