Laura Lane McNeal Knihy

Působivý debut s atmosférou oblíbeného románu Černobílý svět. Malou Liberty zavane osud z Washingtonu do jižanského New Orleans, kde ji u babičky na čas zanechává matka Vidrine po smrti Libertina otce Grahama Bella. Krátké prázdniny se však nepředpokládaně prodlouží a prostředí amerického Jihu šedesátých let dává dívence poznat černošskou mentalitu a kulturu a otevírá jí úplně jiný svět. Po vzoru svého jména, znamenající svobodu, a pod vedením svérázné babičky Fannie zde Ibby, jak jí všichni říkají, dospívá. V domě babičky pracuje také černošská hospodyně Queenie, dcera Dollbaby a její dcerka Birdelia, se kterou se Ibby hned skamarádí. V domě se dodržují jistá pravidla, a to především zásadně se neptat na minulost – ta totiž skrývá nepříjemné rodinné tajemství…

Clara Wilson has a lot on her mind. Her best friend, Gerri, has started moving in circles that will never in a million years include Clara and her crooked nose. Clara's parents are fighting again, and her mom keeps talking about teaching in France. At least Clara still has Hambone, her loyal dog. And her crush on Amos McKenzie, of course.Amos McKenzie doesn't much like home these days. His dad's corny questions are bugging him more than usual, and his mom's gone religious for no apparent reason. On top of that, he's starting to fall for a major dink, Clara Wilson. And as it turns out, he's not the only one...The Tripp Brothers are the biggest delinquents in town. They smash mailboxes, shoplift groceries, and cruise around in their Seduck (half sedan, half truck). They've just turned their sights on the school's newest, cutest couple. And that can only mean one thing for Clara and Amos: danger.Clara and Amos--their lives turned upside down by each other, their families, and the two meanest brothers in town--discover that honesty may be the answer...but it can be awfully hard to find. In this emotionally compelling and suspenseful young adult novel, Laura and Tom McNeal present a searingly accurate look at life in ninth grade--where thrills, heartbreak, and intimidation can take place at a locker, in the lunchroom, or in a bathroom stall.From the Hardcover edition.