The Mississippi of the 1930s was a hard place for a black child to grow up in, but still Cassie didn't understand why farming his own land meant so much to her father. During that year, though, when the night riders were carrying hatred and destruction among her people, she learned about the great differences that divided them.

'We have no choice of what colour we're born or who our parents are or whether we're rich or poor. What we do have is some choice over what we make of our lives once we're here.' The Mississippi of the 1930s was a hard place for a black child to grow up in, but still Cassie didn't understand why farming his own land meant so much to her father.

The children, especially Cassie, are happy in their warm, stable family but outside is a climate of fear and tension. Their friend TJ goes on trial for murder and stands before an all-white jury. Cousin Suzella tries to pass for white, with humiliating consequences. Cassie realizes what it means to grow up black and powerless.

One of a series offering classic and contemporary fiction and other literary work for schools, to suit a range of ages and tastes.

Paul-Edward is the son of a wealthy white plantation owner. Though his heritage is not unusual, for it is the time of the American Civil War, his upbringing is. Paul-Henry dreams of owning land every bit as good as his father's and, after a rash act of rebellion, leaves his family and vows to succeed on his own.