I raised up the blue cover and found the other bed underneath. Vonetta tried to steer me over to them, but I didnt want to go chasing after them. It was better than eating air sandwiches at Ceciles. Now he stood across from Fern, his legs apart and his arms folded. Even so, most people were afraid of Black Panthers because they carried rifles and shouted Black Power. From what I could see, these three didnt have rifles, and Cecile didnt seem afraid. Today were going to think about our part in the revolution. Vonettas hand shot up. Its funny that Cecile had at least thought to give Fern a last drink, but all the same left Fern wanting her milk. That was why Pa had put us on a plane to Oakland. Every mammal on the planet has a mother, dead or alive. I stuck to the schedule. This is the first book of hers book I've read but it won't be the last. I expected to read strings and strings of words tapped out from her pencil onto the walls. And what I didnt remember clearly, Uncle Darnell always filled in. We sleep at night. I could tell Cecile didnt know whether to be annoyed or amused. Honestly, I dont think Pa could choose between Big Ma and Cecile even after Cecile left him. Does anyone know another word for the earths constant spinning? That was how I knew Sister Mukumbu was a real teacher, aside from her welcoming smile and her blackboard penmanship. Miss Patty Cake was there when Cecile wasnt. Steady. Big Ma had grabbed them by the first scruff of fabric she could get ahold of, bent down, and told them to act right. There werent too many of us in the waiting area, and too many of them were staring. The gap wasnt as wide as when wed first started out, but there was distance between Cecile and my sisters and me. I knew she was our mother. Instead, Id folded the bills and stuffed them in my tennis shoe before we left Herkimer Street. There was nothing and no one in all of Oakland to like. Upon arrival Cecile immediately lets the girls know that she doesnt want them there and that they better not bother her peace and quiet. And one lady dressed like Jackie Kennedy, carrying a small oval suitcase. Tall, mysterious, and on the run. Hes a little wild. For all of that, the eggs were cold, but we ate them, along with the buttered toast and orange slices. A man in navy overalls swept garbage off the floor a few feet away from But we were the only ones inside Mings, and she was staring straight at me. Do you know how much this phone call is costing your father? There was no time to be tongue-tied. Hers were the actions of someone who wears hats, scarves, and shades to keep from being recognized. Print Word PDF. Operator, I want to make a collect call to Louis Gaither. Papas proper name felt strange coming from my mouth. Just as I had that soft plastic arm out of Ferns mouth, those Cassius Clayfighting clouds threw our 727 another jab. Cecile was right there, guarding whatever she was hiding in her kitchen. Im not free. One of them answered, None of us is free, Sister Inzilla. Set during one of the most tumultuous years in recent American history, one crazy summer is the heartbreaking, funny tale of three girls in search of the mother who abandoned them - an unforgettable story told by a distinguished author of books for children and teens, Rita Williams-Garcia. Both my sisters and me, and her high heels, were bothering her. Fern returned with Miss Patty Cake in tow. With all the money shed have to print up to buy this house, the FBI would have tracked her down and thrown her in the pokey. The pokey! That made Fern laugh. I told them to shut up. And Papa. Theyd be here lightning quick to get us. Yeah. I fell head-over-heels in love with the narrator of this book, Delphine, and her younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern. But give them one minute longer and Id end up pulling Fern off of Vonetta and mopping up sops of water splashed onto the bathroom tiles. Theyre probably who shes running from. Vonetta asked, Who are the Black Panthers? You know. As quiet as a spy, I unbuckled my suitcase and took out my borrowed copy of Island of the Blue Dolphins. Just annoyed because they wanted her things but she didnt want to give them. Cecile shook like we had given her the willies. Stringy like Lucy Raleighs, who bragged about being part Chickasaw in the fourth grade but by fifth grade was singing Im Black and Im Proud louder than loud because James Browns song had made it the thing to do. He had already told Eldridge Cleaver isnt free. All right. I could see any thoughts Vonetta had about reciting poetry, tap-dancing, and curtsying vanished. On the other side, a baby palm tree sloped toward the sun. You can publish your book online for free in a few minutes. The lady was all smiles and squeals. A bed with a brass headboard and arm rails, a blue cover. Cecile changes her name to Nzila, a Yoruba name meaning "the path. Read Any Book - Online Library - Read Free Books Online,