New Releases by Angela Johnson

There''s nothing Violet loves more than music, and she plays or sings every chance she gets. But where are the other kids like her-kids who think and dream music all day long? As a baby, in kindergarten, at the beach and the zoo, she never gives up looking for companions. And then one summer day... Bright, lively, and lyrical, this is a book for kids who march to a different drummer. Violet''s Music sings to us that the right friend is always out there-as long as we keep looking and hoping, and above all, staying true to ourselves.

A Collection of poetry honoring African American fathers is presented in this multicast production. The mingling of poems by such writers as Angela Johnson, Davida Aded journa, and E. Ethelbert Miller, artwork by Javaka Steptoe, and innovative performances by these outstanding narrators make this package a stunning collaboration!

Dr. Gerard Wright agrees to take in his housekeeper''s son until she is released from jail after the self-defense killing of her abusive husband. She should have been out in a few weeks, but when "irregularities at the crime scene" point to murder, she is sentenced to ten years, and Gerard is left with a terrified, emotionally fragile, six-year-old boy. The adjustment would have been enough; however, Gerard soon finds himself tangled in a web of deceit, cruelty and murder. Soon he realizes that someone will stop at nothing to keep Cameron quiet. But can he unravel this mystery in time?

"Poems in Neon Moons reflect lives that rise above deprivation and suffering, that find joy in their surroundings. Angela Johnson has a well-developed instinct for the transcendent moment and the lyricism to communicate it." - Margaret Bradstock "Angela Johnson''s poetry celebrates ''the small personal voice'', its insistent pursuit of the unique in the quotidian. Ranging over the realities of poverty, family relationships and love, and probing the connections between humanity and the natural world, these poems often surprise with their poignant, clear-eyed observation." - Louise Wakeling

Papa says it''s the sound of leaving that speaks to my soul... The poignant words of two-time Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Angela Johnson and striking images from fine artist Loren Long join forces in this heartbreaking yet uplifting picture book about a boy, his love for trains, and his adulation of one legendary engineer. It''s the story of a hero lost and a hero discovered, of a dream crushed then reawakened, but mostly it is a story of the force that sustains the human spirit -- hope.

Living in a small town in Ohio in 1975 and desperately missing her divorced father, thirteen-year-old Doreen comes to terms with disturbing changes in her family life.

From two-time Coretta Scott King Award winner Angela Johnson, here are 12 heartrending and uplifting stories exploring the notions of home and hope.

The annual summer visit to the country home of the Old Ones, the uncles and aunts who raised Daddy, brings joy and good times.

Inspired by his family experiences and his parents'' paintings, a young boy creates four poems.

Daisy describes the preparations leading up to her older sister''s wedding and the joyous and bittersweet feelings surrounding the event itself.

As she and a friend are loading a wagon with cookies and fans they have made, a young girl repeats the story of a wondrous Rolling Store that used to come to the country where Granddaddy lived when he was young.

When The Aunt comes to live with them, the entire family enjoys her company and helps her forget about the home she has lost.

A young girl and her mother remember together all the girl''s favorite stories about her mother''s childhood.

A child spends the day with the lively new babysitter, Miss Alice.

Joshua and his father listen to the night sounds. On board pages.

Joshua and his sister watch a mother bird feeding its babies. On board pages.

Joshua goes to the shore with his family. On board pages.

A child imagines being old with Grandaddy and joining him in such activities as playing cards all day, visiting the ocean, and eating bacon on the porch.

Ali discovers that there is someone else that thinks snakes are beautiful and loves them as much as she does.

A series of candid reflections by the youngest of three sisters on her daily relationships with her older sisters and family.

A little girl imitates her big sister Kyla all day, until in the evening Kyla imitates her. Kyla is a loving big sister and an excellent role model for her younger sibling. Story about sisterly love and the special relationship that can exist between sisters.