Most Popular Books by VIRGINIA HAMILTON

Retold Afro-American folktales of animals, fantasy, the supernatural, and desire for freedom, born of the sorrow of the slaves, but passed on in hope--Résumé de l''éditeur.

Now available in this summer reading program edition, this Newbery Award-winning novel tells the story of M.C. Higgins, who saves his home and family from the slag heap of an Ohio strip mine when two strangers enter his life.

An American Library Association Notable Book and a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year:Twelve-year-old Arilla goes on a quest to discover who she is and where she fits into her family—and the world Arilla Adams is tired of being the moon to her older brother’s sun. Sixteen-year-old Jack has rejected being part of an interracial family and identifies only with his Native American heritage. But Arilla, also part African American and part Native American, isn’t so sure where she belongs. She knows there are people who care about her. Old James False Face tells her stories. Her mom, who’s as beautiful as a queen, wants Arilla to learn to dance. And her classmate Angel Diovalad, the star of the girls’ basketball team, tells her secrets about the boy she loves, whom she meets with on the sly. Arilla also has secrets: She sneaks out to the roller rink to practice figure skating. And she’s afraid of horses. But she’s about to discover her inner courage on a daring rescue mission that will transform her relationship with her family and earn her the name Arilla Sun Down.

A monumental collection by one of America''s greatest authors of children''s literature — and the launch of a new imprint, ReLIT, that republishes lost classics for a modern readership! Virginia Hamilton (1936-2002) was not only one of the most magnificent writers who ever lived — winning honors such as the Newbery Medal, Newbery Honor, National Book Award, and the Coretta Scott King Award for classics like The House of Dies Drear, The People Could Fly, M. C. Higgins the Great, and Her Stories — she was one of the greatest thinkers we ever had on children''s literature. Born to a family of storytellers, she wove into her books and thoughts a deep concern with memory, tradition, and generational legacy, especially as they helped define the lives of African Americans from the days of slavery onward. Hamilton described her work as ''''liberation literature.'''' This landmark book — since fallen out of print and now lovingly restored and repackaged in this gorgeous edition — brings together her essays, speeches, and interviews into one thought-provoking, incisive, inspiring whole. Presented in a high quality flexibound binding, Liberation Literature also features a foreword by Laura Pegram, founder of Kweli; an introduction by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, the "mother of" multicultural children''s literature; and a full-color frontispiece portrait of Virginia Hamilton, illustrated by Caldecott Medalists Leo & Diane Dillon. It is a must-have for anyone interested in writing, the history of African American representation, children''s literature, and literature overall.

Virginia Hamilton''s Coretta Scott King Honor book is the breathtaking fantasy tale of slaves who possessed ancient magic that enabled them to fly away to freedom. And it is a moving tale of those who did not have the opportunity to “fly” away, who remained slaves with only their imaginations to set them free as they told and retold this tale. Leo and Diane Dillon''s powerful illustrations accompany Hamilton''s voice as it sings out from the pages with the soaring cadences that echo the story tellers of her childhood as the granddaughter of a fugitive slave. Awards for The People Could Fly collection: A Coretta Scott King Award A Booklist Children’s Editors’ Choice A School Library Journal Best Books of the Year A Horn Book Fanfare An ALA Notable Book An NCTE Teachers’ Choice A New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year

Nineteen stories focus on the magical lore and wondrous imaginings of African American women.

Geeder''s summer at her uncle''s farm is made special because of her friendship with a very tall, composed woman who raises hogs and who closely resembles the magazine photograph of a Watutsi queen.

A collection of stories, featuring sparrows, jays, buzzards, and bats, based on those African American tales originally written down by Martha Young on her father''s plantation in Alabama after the Civil War.

Recounts the journey of Black slaves to freedom via the underground railroad, an extended group of people who helped fugitive slaves in many ways.

An illustrated collection of twenty-five myths from various parts of the world explaining the creation of the world.

Eleven-year-old Cammy is irritated by her cousin Patty Ann''s seeming perfection until a tragedy forces her to learn about forgiveness and family love.

A beautiful ghost appears to a troubled teen and shows her the heartbreaking secrets of her family''s past Fifteen-year-old Teresa has fallen in love—with a ghost. The handsome man that she''s passed on the street a few times captures her attention, and she thinks he notices her too. But when the man suddenly appears inside her home, hovering in the air and passing through solid furniture, Teresa realizes this isn''t going to be a typical crush. The ghost is Brother Rush, a man tied to Teresa''s past, who has come to show her the ways her life has special meaning, and that her problems at school and at home are not what they seem.

In a gorgeous tale of an unexpected friendship, ten-year-old Dreenie feels both intrigued and frightened when she thinks about the girl nicknamed Bluish, whose leukemia is making her pale and causing her to use a wheelchair.

Now available in this summer reading program edition, this Newbery Award-winning novel tells the story of M.C. Higgins, who saves his home and family from the slag heap of an Ohio strip mine when two strangers enter his life.

Thomas and his family move to a huge historic house that people say is haunted. Will the family discover the secrets of the house, or will they be too scared to stay.

After spending most of their eighth-grade year hiding in the school''s secret cellar room, Junior and Buddy must finally confront reality