The riveting second book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Door of No Return trilogy stars Kofi’s granddaughter, Charley, who’s set on becoming the first female pitcher to play professional ball but who soon has to contend with the tensions about to boil over in her segregated town.
You can’t protect her from knowing. The truth is all we have.12-year old Charley Cuffey is many things: a granddaughter, a best friend, and probably the best pitcher in all of Lee’s Mill. Set on becoming the first female pitcher to play professional ball, Charley doesn't need reminders from her best friend Cool Willie Green to know that she has lofty dreams for a Black girl in the American South.
Even so, Nana Kofi's thrilling stories about courageous ancestors and epic journeys make it impossible not to dream big. She knows he has so many more to tell, but according to her parents, she isn't old enough to know about certain things like what happened to Booker Preston that one night in Great Bridge and why she can never play on the brand-new real deal baseball field on the other side of town.
When Charley challenges a neighborhood bully to a game at the church picnic, she knows she can win, even with her ragtag team. But when the picnic spills over onto their ball field, she makes a fateful decision.
A child cannot protect herself if she does not know her history, and Charley's choice brings consequences she never could have imagined.
In this thrilling second book of the Door of No Return trilogy, set during the turbulent segregation era, and the beginning of The Great Migration, Kwame Alexander weaves a spellbinding story of struggle, determination, and the unflappable faith of an American family.
In stores everywhere Tuesday, September 24 - check out Kwame's Upcoming Events page for full book tour details!
Teachers, librarians, and educators: We're also kicking off Author Study 2024-2025 season with a FREE, virtual livestream Literary Pep Rally on September 17 at 1pm EST/ 10am PST!
Join Kwame for this 25-minute special event will celebrate the launch of his new book, Black Star, with a read aloud, special guest appearances, exciting announcements, and Q&A time.
The Literary Pep Rally is free, but registration is required - grab a spot for your classroom today!