Clouds Over California

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Judy Blume meets Jacqueline Woodson in this quietly powerful and sweetly emotional coming-of-age story about finding your place in the world This was supposed to be the best year ever for eleven-year-old Stevie Morrison. But instead, her life seems determined to turn itself upside down. First of all, her parents can't stop fighting - and they decide to move the family to a totally new apartment, in a totally new part of town, which means a totally new middle school for Stevie. On top of that, her best friend, Jennifer, is acting weird. She won't return Stevie's phone calls, and apparently her new best friends are a bunch of mean girls. The final straw comes with the arrival of Stevie's teenage cousin Naomi - sent down in disgrace from Boston (though no one will tell Stevie why). But with Naomi comes an exciting glimpse of a world Stevie hasn't paid much attention to before- one of Cleopatra Jones movies, women's liberation and an intriguing-sounding group called the Black Panthers. It might not be the year Stevie anticipated. But it will be the one that changes her life forever.

Reviews

Stevie's path to empowerment is both touching and inspiring. This captivating read is an honest reminder of where we've been and what we've overcome; it is an absolute gem! * Lisa Moore Rame, author of A Good Kind of Trouble *
Praise for How High the Moon: "As compelling as Brown Girl Dreaming, as character-driven as One Crazy Summer, and as historically illuminating as Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. A captivating novel that sheds new light on black childhood." * Kirkus Reviews, starred review *

Author Bio

Karyn Parsons is perhaps best known for her role as Will Smith's ditsy cousin Hilary Banks on NBC's The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. After leaving acting behind, Karyn went on to found and produce Sweet Blackberry, an award-winning series of children's animated films. Karyn lives and works in New York.