New Releases by Joyce Carol Thomas

Lemons as big as oranges, the cool Pacific Ocean, mountains that rise up beyond the outstretched bay--California beckons as one girl makes her way west on a journey filled with excitement, hope, and the promise of a place where people from all paths come together and music fills the air. This is the true story of author Joyce Carol Thomas''s trip from Oklahoma to California in 1948, when she moved there as a girl. During that time, many people went west, drawn by warmth and possibility, reflected in the people of all cultures and ethnicities who started a new life there. Coretta Scott King honoree Joyce Carol Thomas and Coretta Scott King Award winner Floyd Cooper capture the anticipation of a bright adventure and a world filled with freedom and opportunity. Included in Brightly''s list of recommended diverse poetry picture books for kids. I ease myself back in the window seat and breathe in as the train breathes out We''re on our way! On our way to the Land of Milk and Honey

We are color struck The way an artist strikes His canvas with his brush of many hues Look closely at these mirrors these palettes of skin Each color is rich in its own right Black is dazzling and distinctive, like toasted wheat berry bread; snowberries in the fall; rich, red cranberries; and the bronzed last leaves of summer. In this lyrical and luminous collection, Coretta Scott King honorees Joyce Carol Thomas and Floyd Cooper celebrate these many shades of black beautifully.

In these four acclaimed novels, National Book Award-winning author Joyce Carol Thomas evocatively captures the triumph and struggles of teens as they come of age, and break and bond with their families. BRIGHT SHADOW (1983) This Coretta Scott King Honor Book and Thomas'' sophomore effort continues the moving saga she began in her debut novel Marked By Fire. Abyssinia Jackson is back home from college where she''s studying to be a doctor. But she must learn to cope with tragedy when peace is shattered in her Oklahoma countryside and her boyfriend Carl Lee disappears./DIV "Just when a critic thinks he has an author tightly held, a sequel wriggles free of preconceptions and hops away. . . . Sophisticated."--The Purdue Exponent "Amazing."--Panache Post WATER GIRL (1986) In the third book of a compelling saga that began with Marked By Fire, 15-year old Amber makes a startling family discovery that shakes her to her core. "Fans of Marked By Fire will want to read this story of an adolescent search for identity." —School Library Journal "A panorama of human emotions . . . entertaining reading.—VOYA "Teens who liked the first two books won''t be disappointed."--BooklistDIV THE GOLDEN PASTURE (1987) In this ALA Pick of the List, 13-year old Carl''s relationship with a wild rodeo horse teaches more about connecting with his dad than about riding. "A spirited, lyrical tale with a memorable cast of characters. . . . Thomas is a weaver of words, combining just the right ones to create a loving picture of three generations." —Publishers Weekly "Thomas'' love for Oklahoma and empathy for her well-delineated characters emerge . . . a delight." —School Library Journal JOURNEY (1990) 16-year old Meggie is scared. One by one, her town''s teenagers are mysteriously disappearing. What Meggie doesn''t know is that her childhood holds the only key to save them. "Spellbinding."—VOYA "Appealing heroine, fast pace, and SF overtones will absorb readers."—Kirkus Reviews

Fire is Warm Abyssinia Jackson grew up under a vast Oklahoma sky shaded with pecan trees and dotted by endless rows of cotton-pickers cotton. She had the gift of song, a storyteller''s talent, the love of her parents, and the affection and pride of her community. Fire Can Burn Then a tornado hits and drives Abby''s family apart. A deranged neighbor targets her for a campaign of vengeful terror. And a vicious physical assault all but breaks her will. Marked by Fire In a triumphant story of faith and fortitude, Abby emerges clearly as a young woman who faces pain and joy with the dignity of her heritage and the determination of spirit. Joyce Carol Thomas’s beautifully written first novel, a 1983 National Book Award winner, remains as poignant and moving today as it was 25 years ago when it was first published.

In a colorful salute to faith and gospel music, the good spirit moves a mother, daughter, and congregation to take part in a wondrous celebration of ritual and faith.

A variation on the traditional Cinderella story set in a Southern swamp and with a Great Gospel Convention instead of a ball.

hair a gift wrapped ribboned curled tied With these joyous poems, National Book Award-winning author Joyce Carol Thomas lovingly celebrates the beauty and distinction of African-American hair. Accompanied by artist Brenda Joysmith''s soft, lush portraits of women and girls of all ages, Thomas''s lyrical language shares what is special about hair that-is dreadlocked, braided, adorned, or worn free. The poems and images rejoice in the spirit of individuality that comes from having your unique crowning glory.

Throughout the year, a grandmother expresses her unconditional love for her grandson. The lyrical text is paired with reassuring and warm illustrations to make this a must-have on every child''s bookshelf.

It''s time to say good night The moon is on the rise And seven angels fly down With starlight in their eyes. And so begins this warm and lyrical bedtime lullaby. When the full moon smiles through a little girl''s bedroom window, it''s time to cuddle up with Mom, Dad, and a bedtime story before falling asleep in the wings of heavenly guardian angels.

A collection of twenty-five poems relecting the lifelong relationship between mothers and daughters, written in two parts in the voice of the mother and in the voice of the daughter.

A grandmother expresses her unconditional love for her grandson throughout the year in this board book that features lyrical text and warm illustrations. Full-color illustrations.

This lyrical bedtime lullaby tells the story of a a little girl who knows it''s bedtime when the full moon smiles into her bedroom window. Her parents tell her a bedtime story before she falls asleep in the wings of heavenly guardian angels. Full-color illustrations.

A collection of African-American lullabies enhanced by the improvisational styles of such artists as Harry Belafonte and Oscar Brown, Jr. is accompanied by piano scores, introductory notes, and historical information.

I have heard of a land Where the imagination has no fences Where what is dreamed one night Is accomplished the next day/FONT In the late 1880s, signs went up all around America - land was free in the Oklahoma territory. And it was free to everyone: Whites, Blacks, men and women alike. All one needed to stake a claim was hope and courage, strength and perseverance. Thousands of pioneers, many of them African-Americans newly freed from slavery, headed west to carve out a new life in the Oklahoma soil. Drawing upon her own family history, National Book Award winner Joyce Carol Thomas has crafted an unforgettable anthem to these brave and determned people from America''s past. Richly illustrated by Coretta Scott King Award honoree Floyd Cooper, I Have Heard of a Land is a glorious tribute to the Afrian-American pioneer spirit. 00-01 Sequoyah Children''s Book Award Masterlist

A poem celebrates the joy of a newborn baby

"For children discovering their individuality, this beautiful poem celebrates uniqueness, love, and self-awareness"-- Cover back.

‘A cycle of a dozen lyrical poems exploring issues of African-American identity through delicately interwoven images. . . . Laden with meaning, the poetry is significant and lovely. Cooper''s paintings, with vibrant, unsentimentalized characters in earth tone illumined with gold, are warm, contemplative''a beautiful complement to Thomas''s eloquence. A must.'' ''K. ‘Poems rooted in home, family, and the African-American experience…. Highly readable and attractive.'' ''BL. 1994 Coretta Scott King Award Honor Book for Nonfiction 1994 Coretta Scott King Award Honor Book for Illustration 1994 Teachers'' Choices (IRA) Notable 1994 Childrens'' Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC) 1994 Notable Trade Books in the Language Arts (NCTE) 100 Books for Reading and Sharing (NY Public Library) 1993 "Pick of the Lists" (ABA)

Despite her mean-spirited foster mother''s attempts to demean her, fourteen-year-old orphan Marigold finds the song within her heart during the search for a new lead gospel singer for the Rose of Sharon Baptist Church.

The exquisite horse twelve-year-old Carl Lee finds on his grandfather''s farm one summer helps him to understand his difficult father better.