New Releases by Mildred Pitts Walter

In 1922, Mildred Pitts Walter was born in DeRidder, Louisiana, to a log cutter and a midwife/beautician. She became the first member of her family to go to college, graduating in 1940. Walter moved to California, where she worked as an elementary school teacher. After being encouraged by a publisher to write books for and about African American children, Walter went on to become a pioneer of African American children''s literature. Most notably, she wrote Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World, which bent preconceptions with tales of black cowboys and men doing “women’s work.” She was also a contributing book reviewer to the Los Angeles Times. In Something Inside So Strong: Life in Pursuit of Choice, Courage, and Change, Walter recollects major touchstones in her life. The autobiography, divided into three parts, “Choice,” “Courage,” and “Change,” covers Walter’s life beginning with her childhood in the 1920s and moving to the present day. In “Choice,” Walter describes growing up in a deeply segregated Louisiana and includes memories of school, rural home life, World War II, and participating in neighborhood activities like hog killing and church revivals. “Courage” documents her adjustment to living away from family, her experiences teaching in Los Angeles, and her extensive work with her husband for the Los Angeles chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality. The final section, “Change,” shows how Walter’s writing and activism merged, detailing her work as an education consultant and as an advocate for nonviolent resistance to racism. It also reveals how her world travels expanded her personal inquiry into Christianity and African spirituality. Something Inside So Strong is one woman’s journey to self-discovery.

Fourteen-year-old Martha is torn between her love for her myth and superstition and her hunger for knowledge and adventure The superstitious folks of Blue Isle believe that a child born in a storm is born to trouble. But fourteen-year-old Martha only wants to go to high school, not end up making quilts and married to some local island boy. Getting an education means leaving the island, where she was raised by her grandmother Titay—and where she’s expected to follow in Titay’s footsteps as a midwife. When a stranger washes ashore, Titay and Martha rescue him, but the other islanders fear he’s brought sickness and death to their home. Martha is fascinated by the young man, Hal Saunders, who’s saving up to go back to school for marine biology. Little by little, he opens her eyes to a bigger world, making her more determined than ever to follow her dream. Soon Martha will face the toughest challenge of her life. Which path will she choose? And what if she makes the wrong decision?

Emma’s dreams of popularity and academic success go up in smoke when she’s transferred to a less prestigious high school Twelfth grader Emma Walsh is one of the lucky few African Americans at exclusive Marlborough High School. She is the only black student on the student council, and she’s just been elected to the National Honor Society. Now, the Golden Slippers will invite her to participate in their annual debutante ball. Graduation will be followed by a scholarship to a major university, then a celebrated career as a doctor. Her future couldn’t be brighter. Until an uncalled-for outburst gets her transferred to the all-black Manning High School in the district where she lives. Emma fears she won’t fit in with the other students who are less fortunate than she. Her only friend is shy Allan Page, a senior on a free busing program who could have chosen any high school—and picked Manning. As Emma becomes caught up in life at her new school, her old life feels farther and farther away. Does she really want to be a debutante? Who is she trying to impress? Her successful physician father? Her boyfriend? What about herself?

Based on the 1957 Little Rock school integration, two teenage girls—one white, one black—are swept up in the fear and prejudice of their divided southern town It’s Sophia Stuart’s last year at Chatham High—only now the pretty, popular high school senior will be sharing classes with nine black students. The Stuart family has differing views. Her dad and older sister’s husband believe everything should stay segregated. Her brother, Burt, who lost an arm in the Korean War, thinks blacks should have the same rights as everyone else. And her boyfriend, Arnold, just took her to a black church because he likes the minister and the gospel music! Fifteen-year-old Eva Collins rides in the back of the bus and goes to a separate church. But she’s finally about to achieve one of her dreams: attending Mossville’s first desegregated school. But the governor has just issued a restraining order delaying integration. With the town divided, the National Guard is called in to maintain order. When the final decision is made, an explosion of violence and an act of heroism will transform Eva and Sophia’s lives forever.

Set during the American Revolution and based on a true story, Elizabeth Freeman, a young slave, sues for her freedom—and wins Sheffield, Massachusetts. Six-year-old Aissa and her older sister, Elizabeth, work as slaves in the home of their owners—Master and Mistress Anna. Raised by Elizabeth after their mother died, and chafing under the yoke of bondage, Aissa is a natural-born rebel. Elizabeth, nicknamed Bett by her owners, is more accepting of her fate in spite of growing anti-slavery sentiment. She marries Josiah Freeman, a freed black man, and they have a child. Then on July 4, 1776, America achieves her dream of independence from England, and in 1780, Massachusetts drafts its own constitution, establishing a bill of rights. When Mistress Anna, angered by Aissa’s defiance, threatens her with a hot coal shovel, Bett takes the blow instead, and is severely burned. She walks out of the house, vowing never to come back—and takes her owners to court. Second Daughter is both riveting historical fiction and rousing courtroom drama about slavery, justice, courage, and the unconquerable love between two sisters.

Children''s story based on a young African boy gets his dearest wish with the help of good snake.

Ten-year-old Justin hates that his sisters and his mama are always fussing at him. They make him feel stupid because he can''t clean his room or cook. But why should he? He''d rather be outside playing. After all, cooking and cleaning is just “women''s work.” That''s why Justin is glad when his grandfather invites him back to his ranch for the summer. Justin is sure he can get away from all the women and do some actual “men''s work,” such as cleaning fish, mending fences, and riding horses. But back at the ranch, Justin learns some unexpected lessons and soon realizes that anyone can do anything once they learn how.

As a young boy born into slavery in Virginia, Alec Turner was forbidden to learn to read. Naturally he was frightened when Zephie, his owner''s granddaughter, first offered to teach him, but she told him that if he learned to read, he could become a free man. As Alec mastered the alphabet from a small primer, Zephie lit in him a spark of hope, which became a flame. Alec''s Primer is based on the true story of Alec Turner (1845-1923), who learned to read and, eventually, just as Zephie predicted, became a free man. Traveling to Vermont where he established his home and became a landowner, Alec kept his cherished primer with him throughout his life. Years later, Alec''s daughter Daisy told his dramatic tale of defiance and endurance to the Vermont Folklife Center. Mildred Pitts Walter and Larry Johnson have transformed Alec''s powerful story into an engrossing picture book that affords young readers an authentic lens through which to view history.

When his family attends a reunion in Louisiana, eleven-year-old Ray learns about his Creole roots and about the circumstances that have kept him from ever meeting his father''s father.

Publisher Description

Describes the struggle for civil rights for the blacks in Mississippi, from the time of slavery to the signing of the Voting Rights Act in 1965.

Christie''s family promises her a tiger ride during her visit to the zoo and she is apprehensive until she finds out her tiger is on a merry-go-round.

Describes the author''s experiences celebrating Kwanzaa, explains the ceremonies and symbols of the holiday, and offers easy-to-follow suggestions for activities and crafts.

A celebration of the many wonderful things that flourish in darkness.

As fifth grade comes to an end, Mariah, who idolizes a famous rock star, experiences many misgivings, as does every member of her family, about the arrival of a half sister who is coming to live with them.

Upset because his birthday falls on Christmas and will therefore be eclipsed as usual, and worried that there is less money because his father is out of work, eleven-year-old Chris takes solace in the carvings he is preparing for Kwanzaa, the Afro-American celebration of their cultural heritage.

Twelve-year-old Mariah envisions a great summer competing as a diver and planning a surprise party for her sister Lynn but half-sister Denise proves a cloud in Mariah''s sunny summer.

Seven-year-old Brandon''s attempt to take care of his two-year-old sister Gina results in one disaster after another.

Upset because his birthday falls on Christmas and will therefore be eclipsed as usual, and worried that there is less money because his father is out of work, eleven-year-old Chris takes solace in the carvings he is preparing for Kwanzaa, the Afro-American celebration of their cultural heritage.

With the help of Good Snake, a young African boy gets his dearest wish.

Jason wants to help, but isn''t sure that his mother needs him at all after she brings home a new baby from the hospital.

On a hot, humdrum day Ty meets a man who, using a washboard, comb, spoons, and pail, fills that night with music.

Lillie''s first year at Pelham Junior High in Watts is exciting but she faces a difficult decision when the African Culture Club tries to get Malcolm X''s birthday declared a holiday.

During the weekend following a miserable birthday, things go from bad to worse for an eleven-year-old Black girl living in Watts when she loses a valuable cat temporarily entrusted to her family''s care.