Miss Chloe - A Memoir of a Literary Friendship with Toni Morrison

“Passionate, personal, insightful, testy, and unique.” —Kirkus (starred review)

"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

"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

"If you let a black girl loose in a library, you may not recognize the woman who emerges."

—from Miss Chloe

Toni 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.

Miss 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.

A. 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. 

For over two decades, A.J. Verdelle shared a unique connection with the woman the world knew as Toni Morrison.

Friendship Between Women: The exhilarating, intimidating, and deeply fulfilling connection between a young writer and her literary idol, the woman she came to know as Miss Chloe. The Writing Life: An intimate look at the risks and freedoms of putting Black women's lives into words, guided by Morrison's own powerful example and astute advice. Grief and Remembrance: A personal and moving chronicle of grieving a friend and public icon, while finding comfort and wisdom in the legacy she left behind. Celebrating Black Genius: A powerful celebration of Toni Morrison's singular genius, her towering place in African American literature, and the power of language to shape a world.