Best Selling Books by Joyce Carol Thomas

Abyssinia Jackson, born in an Oklahoma cotton field in the wake of a tornado, is the pride and joy of her family, church, and community until a series of natural disasters and personal attacks threaten to break her spirit, but Mother Barker and her lessons in folk medicine help Abby survive.

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.

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

Meggie spearheads an investigation into the mysterious disappearances and murders of young people in her town, discovering a plot to rob others of their youth in a horrifying way.

Amber Westbrook is multitalented and hungry for knowledge, and when she accidentally uncovers a hidden piece of her own past, she is driven to know the rest.

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

Thomas has skillfully adapted stories by acclaimed folklorist and novelist Zora Neale Hurston, who traveled the rural South and gathered tales from ordinary folk. Full color.

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

Do you dare to cross paths with ... An enchantress who can slip in and out of her skin, A man more evil than the devil, A skull who talks back, A pair of creepy feet that can walk on their own? Spooky, chilling, and fantastical, this collection of six scary tales will send shivers up your spine! The stories in the skull talks back have been selected from Every Tongue Got To Confess, Zora Neale Hurston''s third volume of folklore. Through Joyce Carol Thomas''s carefully adapted text and Leonard Jenkins''s arresting illustrations, the soulful, fanciful imaginations of ordinary folk will reach readers of all ages.

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

‘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)

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

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.

Now in paperback -- the wonderful first novel praised by Billie Letts: "Joyce Carol Thomas''s writing glows with the illumination of ''glory light.'' " In this joyful, moving novel, Joyce Carol Thomas tells the story of Dr. Abyssinia Jackson, a regal, nurturing woman possessed of remarkable healing powers who sings soul-soothing gospel to help cure her patients. From her office, she tends to the women of Ponca City chanting, "If you can be healed, I will be here morning, noon, and night. A beacon in the healing House of Light." There''s Pearline, who is beaten regularly by her husband; Vennie Walker, a "day girl" whose mistreatment by her employer has destroyed her feet and her spirit; and Zenobia, a talented musician who finds love and solace in the arms of a white man. Filled with memorable characters, peppered with humor, and marked by graceful, lyrical prose, House of Light is a story of a community bound by caring and love, about the pleasures of helping others and ourselves, and about the power to heal that lies deep within us all.

Three hungry witches set out to eat two orphaned children while their grandmother is away at the market.

Thomass book of everyday prayers celebrates love, friendship, birthdays, and weddings--welcoming grace and joy into the lives of people of all ages. (Motivation)

While traveling in the Gulf States in the 1930s, Hurston collected and recorded some real whoppers. Young readers can enjoy these far-fetched fibs enhanced with bold, expressive collages.

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.

Poems for each month of the year celebrate the themes of family love, individuality, and Afro-American identity.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

Based on a story collected by the author during her travels along the Gulf States, a tale finds a young man searching for three people more foolish than his fiancée and her parents.

A poem celebrates the joy of a newborn baby

From the time he is hatched, Baby Rooster learns lessons of life from his father and the other barnyard birds at Grandpa Goose''s funeral, Crow''s wedding, and a Christmas celebration.

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.