Briars Patch

Relates how the wily Brer Rabbit outwits Brer Fox who has set out to trap him.

A cop is car-bombed in Texas—and her brother comes from Capitol Hill to investigate—in this Edgar Award winner by “one of the best storytellers around” (The New York Times Book Review). A long-distance call from his small Texas hometown on his birthday gives Benjamin Dill the news that his sister Felicity—born on the same day exactly ten years later—has died in a car bomb explosion. She was a homicide detective who had perhaps made one enemy too many over the course of her career. Unwilling to let local law enforcement handle the investigation, Dill, a consultant for a Senate subcommittee, arrives in town from DC that night to begin his dogged search for his sister’s killer. What he finds is no surprise to him as he begins to unravel town secrets, because Benjamin Dill is never surprised at what awful things people will do. “Taut . . . a superior piece of work.” —The New York Times Book Review “Expert prose, penetrating social commentary and . . . a marvelous sense of humor. [Thomas] does what only the best writers can: he leaves you wanting more.” —The Washington Post “A master of the crime thriller.” —Publishers Weekly Includes an introduction by New York Times–bestselling author Lawrence Block

Jarmon (English, U. of Tennessee, Martin) studies the history and attempts to trace the origins of several prevalent themes in African American folklore, using folk tale collections from the US and Africa. The themes link subjects with symbolic content, such as tar baby with binding and transcription and the skull with presence and propriety. An introduction presents Jarmon's methodology; her thesis is that these narratives are a type of modal discourse that is symbolized by the motifs of the wishbone and crossroads which she sees as emblematic of the concept of margins and reflective of a mood of indeterminacy. ^^^^ Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).

Adam thought that when he and Lilly were adopted by Rachel they would never have to worry about being separated again. Now Rachel is missing and Adam finds he must go to the ends of another world to rescue her and keep whats left of his family.

A celebration of African American life and culture brings together four hundred years of folklore, traditional tales, recipes, proverbs, legends, folk songs, and folk art.

Imagine a time not so far away and yet so long ago . . . It is the 1970s, deep South, rural Eastern North Carolina, once the world capital of the tobacco farming industry. On the Coastal Plains, nestled along the Pamlico River, is a tiny town called Chocowinity. The characters are original and southern. Donnas father is a haunted artist and gifted carpenter. Her mother, Pam, a full-time mom, with three children by the age of twenty who attempts to keep it together in a poor family where alcohol and substance abuse became the norm. When her fathers alcoholism worsens, Donna begins to resent him. Finally, on a night when violence reached its terrifying worst, the young family is spirited away for protection, and her parents divorced. Soon her fathers demons re-emerge and he falls into depression characterized by more substance abuse. Several times, their loving extended family comes to the rescue. Among the layers and human elements of this story, there lies an ominous secret. Donna has known it as long as she can remember. She keeps it hidden, as this might change everything. What unfolds is a funny, touching story of a Generation X tomboy growing up in 1970s and 1980sbefore car seat belts were required and shoes were still optional in the grocery store. This unique story is autobiographical. Funny, original, and bittersweet, it is full of Southern culture and generational relevance. This is not just one girls story of growing up in a stormy relationship with her father, and their life in poverty. It is a story of coming of age. A must-read for everyone.

Julius Caesar Hendrix's biography, Transformation: 'Drums of Thunder' chronicles his struggle with the dark shadows of success in the music industry, personal tragedies and the ultimate triumph of reaching out with music to troubled youth. Born in Savannah, Georgia, Julius got his first drum set at eight and has entertained audiences ever since. At 15 he started his first band. At 17 they began to play Savannah's lounge circuit under the name 'Special Edition' and quickly rose to become a national touring success in the '80s and '90s. Lessons learned from thirty years in the music industry gave Julius a rich perspective on life. His enduring faith in God transcended struggles with drug addiction and homelessness. Today, he is a self-proclaimed 'Reacher' to at-risk youth, sharing a hope-filled testimony of recovery and redemption. His message: There is no hope in dope. Reverend Hendrix's ministry speaks to young people tempted by drugs and the lure of the music industry as easy escapes from inner city challenges.

Clarence Jordan seemed to be born with an ability to see things just a little bit differently than other people did--and sometimes that got him into trouble. Like his views on racial equality: they just weren't popular with many other White people in the Deep South of his day. Like his views on war and how to deal with violence and hatred. For Clarence, the Gospel was very clear about these issues. Moreover, he believed that Jesus's teachings were not just abstract principles but were meant to be applied directly to everyday life. That got him into trouble too, especially among certain church-going people. Along the way, Clarence became a progressive farmer, a sought-after preacher, a Greek scholar, an author, a precursor of the Civil Rights movement, and a family man. An irrepressible sense of humor enlivened all these aspects of his life. Today, Clarence Jordan is best known as the author of the Cotton Patch Gospels and as the inspiration for Habitat for Humanity. The story of the making of this extraordinary man is not so widely known. Cotton Patch Rebel tells that story.

"Deserves a spot on the shelf next to the most beloved children's classics—yes, even The Secret Garden." —Shelf Awareness, Starred Review Described as "reminiscent of the Chronicles of Narnia" in a starred review, The Secret Horses of Briar Hill shows readers everywhere that there is color in our world—they just need to know where to look. There are winged horses that live in the mirrors of Briar Hill hospital—the mirrors that reflect the elegant rooms once home to a princess, now filled with sick children. Only Emmaline can see the creatures. It is her secret. One morning, Emmaline climbs over the wall of the hospital’s abandoned gardens and discovers something incredible: a white horse with a broken wing has left the mirror-world and entered her own. The horse, named Foxfire, is hiding from a dark and sinister force—a Black Horse who hunts by colorless moonlight. If Emmaline is to keep him from finding her new friend, she must surround Foxfire with treasures of brilliant shades. But where can Emmaline find color in a world of gray? A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2016 "Endearing characters, metaphors for life and death, and a slow revelation of the horrors of war give this slim novel a surprising amount of heft."—Booklist, Starred Review "In clear, gripping, flawless prose . . . this exquisite, beautifully illustrated middle-grade novel explodes with raw anguish, magic and hope, and readers will clutch it to their chests and not want to let go."—Shelf Awareness, Starred Review "Reminiscent of the Chronicles of Narnia, Elizabeth Goudge, or a child's version of Life of Pi. . . . Readers will love this to pieces." —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review "Magical, terrifying, and full of heart. Open these pages, and ride true."—Newbery Honor-winning author Kathi Appelt "A remarkable book. Astonishing!"—Michael Morpurgo, author of War Horse