Cammy Coleman's second cousins are in town for the big Coleman reunion, and their sophisticated New York City ways and family secrets threaten to change Cammy's world forever.
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Building upon her 1990 success, award-winning author Virginia Hamilton returns to the endearing main characters of Cousins. In the previous book, Cammy's first cousin Patricia Ann died in a drowning accident while trying to rescue their cousin Elodie. It is now a year later, and the two surviving cousins (Cammy and Elodie) are grappling with their own grief and guilt over the drowning. "For a long time after, all them had this awful kind of hurt look, like it was their fault," writes Hamilton in her confiding, down-home narrative. "They noticed it about each other. And all year it seemed they had to make their way through an aching dark to get to a peaceful day time. That's how Cammy saw it all. They had to go on with what they had to keep looking through." Both girls are distracted from their pain when a huge family reunion in Cammy's hometown unites the cousins with distant relatives, including the wisecracking computer-hound Fractal. Something about Fractal makes Cammy leery--and it's not just her overbearing cockiness. Eventually Fractal leads Cammy into the heart of a long-hidden family secret that threatens to shatter what little stability Cammy has built since her cousin's death. The emotional stakes run high in Second Cousins, but this is when Hamilton is at her best, deftly giving a believable voice to preteen pain and the overriding power of an extended family's love. (Ages 9 and older) --Gail Hudson
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Publishers Weekly
Hamilton fans who have wondered what happened to Cammy Coleman after the death of her cousin Patty Ann will find the answer in this sequel to Cousins, which introduces many new members of the Coleman clan. The author's on-target dialogue and skillfully drawn characterizations compensate for the book's uneven pacing. However, some audience members (especially those unfamiliar with the novel's predecessor) may have trouble sorting out minor characters. Cammy herself feels a bit overwhelmed by the onslaught of Colemans, who arrive in her town for a reunion; she decides to call them all "second cousins." One such relative, Jahnina ("outa New York. Queens"), both fascinates and repels the 12-year-old heroine. Brimming with city smarts, computer know-how and self-confidence, 13-year-old Jahnina offers more than one form of enlightenment, and the scenes between Cammy and her are the high points of the novel. This drama reflects the day-to-day squabbles, disappointments and tensions that plague every household. More pointedly, Hamilton conveys the eternal, unshakable love that binds family members together. Ages 11-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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CAMMY COLEMAN pedaled her dirt bike as fast as it would go. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
CAMMY COLEMAN pedaled her dirt bike as fast as it would go. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By Monika
Format:Hardcover
"Her Stories" is a delightful collection of nineteen stories from African American culture, retold by award-winning author Virginia Hamilton. The stories are divided into five categories: Her Animal Tales, Her Fairy Tales, Her Supernatural, Her Folkways and Legends, and Her True Tales. Each story focuses on a female, African American protagonist, and is about 3-4 pages in length. Hamilton's writing is vivid and colorful, yet remains simple enough that younger readers should have no trouble. The stories would also be great to read aloud. While Hamilton has translated the tales into contemporary language for easier understanding, she leaves a few conventions from Creole, Gullah, and other forms of speech that are best read aloud for full effect.
The book is also a great study in African American literary and oral tradition, and is suitable for adults as well as children. Each story is followed by commentary from the author, providing the history of the tale, how it reflects African American heritage, explanation of any unusual aspects of the story, and any additional points of interest. Some of the stories are based in history, and others are entirely ficitonal. Some bear likenesses to more familiar tales as well - "Catskinella" is an alternative form of the popular Cinderella story, and "Little Girl and Buh Rabby," comes from the tradition of Brer Rabbit stories.
"Her Stories" is also beautifully illustrated, bringing out the best in each tale. At the end of the book Hamilton has included some reflections on her own childhood, and how her mother influenced her decision to compile stories about strong African American women. This book is perfect for anyone, young or old and of any culture, interested in reading traditional folklore.
Format:Hardcover
Here is another fantastic anthology from Virginia Hamilton, the award-winning author of "House of Dies Drear" and "The People Could Fly". This volume, also featuring the wonderful illustrations of Leo & Diane Dillon, is an eye-opener for those only familiar with European folktales.
Hamilton's book is divided into five sections: (1) Her Animal Tales, (2) Her Fairy Tales, (3) Her Supernatural, (4) Her Folkways and Legends, and (5) Her True Tales. Each section contains an average of four stories, accompanied by informative and entertaining background historical data.
Young readers will love the author's prose and the illustrators' beautiful paintings. Older readers and parents will gain a greater appreciation for a culture that has been too long ignored.
These stories are as valid and fanciful as any of their more familiar European counterparts.
The book ends with a list of valuable resources where one can find other examples of African-American folklore.
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I gave this book a five star because i thought it was a real good book it was about these two girls who meet their second cousins when they wher going to Cammy dads house cause Cammy dad said that she could come over any time so they left the siwmming pool to go over there when they got there Cammy showed her all the rooms in the house but saved the best for last when they got to that room Cammy said here's my room and opened the door and found two girls in the beds so Cammy asked what are you doing here but the two girls got smart.So Cammy asked them whats their names is they said GiGi and Fractal then one girl got up and start dancing around Cammy started to get mad so she said come on El and they left.When they got home their mom said your second cousins are coming over for dinner and Cammy knew who her mom was talking about after that they got real close to each other.Yes i would recommend this good book to people.
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4.6 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
second cousins
I gave this book a five star because i thought it was a real good book it was about these two girls who meet their second cousins when they wher going to Cammy dads house cause... Read more
Published on May 29 2002
5.0 out of 5 stars
in memory of Virginia Hamilton
I had the pleasure of buying the book "Herstories" from the author herself.
It is a "Must Have" book if you've read any of her earlier books. Ms. Read more
Published on Mar 13 2002 by Wendy McHarris
1.0 out of 5 stars
Untitled
I read this book for a book report, and because i could not choose another one i could not stop reading it. Read more
Published on Aug 4 2001
5.0 out of 5 stars
Every Girl Should Own This Book!
I don't care if you're African American or Caucasian, 6, 16, or 60; if you are female, you should read this book. Read more
Published on Mar 23 2001 by Molly M. Wolf
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a great book for pre teens.
Although I am an adult, I really enjoyed this book. As Cammy and Elodie are learning to deal with the death of their cousin, Patty Ann, two new cousins come into the picture. Read more
Published on Dec 13 2000 by Dawn Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars
second cousins
This book is really funny and sad at the same time ..... In Cammy Coleman family things have gotten alot better since her third cousin died . Read more
Published on Nov 30 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is a great show African American culture.
This book is great at showing a part of oral history of the African American culture. Most of these stories I have never heard before. Read more
Published on Mar 15 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is a great show African American culture.
This book is great at showing a part of oral history of the African American culture. Most of these stories I have never heard before. Read more
Published on Mar 15 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
Meet Virginia Hamilton
The first time I met Virginia Hamiliton was when I read "Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush." I thought, this author rivals Toni Morrison with her vivid language, but she... Read more
Published on April 2 1998 by Mary Z. Cox
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderfully powerful book- a must read for all girls
In "Her Stories," African American women tell their tales of magic, supernatural and real life, while emphasizing their strength and imaginations. Read more
Published on Mar 25 1998 by Tracy
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