Illinois Authors

Dial Books for Young Readers, New York : 2001.

Ernestine O'Reilly comes from Ireland to Texas as a mail-order bride, but when she meets the man she is supposed to marry, she ends up deciding to be a cowboy instead.

Greenwillow Books/Amistad, [New York] : ©2004.

While visiting her grandmother in the Sea Islands, a young girl hears about her African heritage and learns to weave a sea grass basket.

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York : ©1996.

Although they do not like each other at first, two girls who take piano lessons from the same teacher, share friendship with twin sisters, and have their own personal problems each gradually find their feelings about the other changing.

In the evening the residents of Church Street gather on Miss Ida's porch to share memories and hear stories about events in the past, events significant to them as black people.

Four Winds Press ; New York : ©1994.

Big Mama reminisces with her grandchild about a childhood experience that helped inspire her to be the first member of her family to attend college.

In 1948, while spending the summer with her aunt in West Virginia to find her family roots, Tilara begins visiting the colored old folks' home called McKendree, makes new friends, and learns to love herself.

Greenwillow Books, New York : ©2000.

In 1948, while spending the summer with her aunt in West Virginia to find her family roots, Tilara begins visiting the "colored" old folks' home called McKendree, makes new friends, and learns to love herself.

Greenwillow Books, New York, NY : ©2006.

The death of Leah's beloved older brother, and her parents' reactions to the tragedy, raise questions for Leah about the meaning of family and about her place in her own.

Aladdin 1998

Amistad/Greenwillow Books, New York : ©2008.

When a group of young African-American children learn about Paul Robeson from one of the neighborhood "elders," they decide to reclaim the town theater in order to celebrate Robeson's life.