Bestselling and award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes goes West in a new adventure story about a son and his father who set out to win land during the Oklahoma Land Rush--if they can survive the journey. It’s 1889, barely twenty-five years after the Emancipation Proclamation, and a young Black family is tired of working on land they don’t get to own. So when Will and his father hear about an upcoming land rush, they set out on a journey from Texas to Oklahoma, racing thousands of others to the place where land is free—if they can get to it fast enough. 

Dr. Rhodes will talk about this new book on Thurs, Jan 16^th at 6:30 PM at Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton St, in Skokie, IL. The program is free, you can register by calling the library at 847-673-7774.

A perfect program for families and educators looking for powerful stories based on real history.  Recommended for ages 8 – adult.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes is the New York Times bestselling author of several books for youth, including Ghost Boys; Black Brother, Black Brother; Paradise on Fire; and Treasure Island: Runaway Gold. She is the recipient of many distinguished awards and honors, including the Coretta Scott King Author Honor, the Green Earth Book Award, an NAACP Image Award nomination, the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award, and the Octavia E. Butler Award. Rhodes is the Founding Artistic Director of the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing and Virginia G. Piper Endowed Chair at Arizona State University. She invites you to connect with her at jewellparkerrhodes.com.