Silhouetted by the Blue

Seventh-grader Serena Shaw is trying to keep up at school while dealing with a father so blue he is nearly catatonic. Jones, a Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award winner, presents the appealing story of an African-American tween juggling far more than her fair share.

After the death of her mother, seventh-grader Serena finds herself facing the day-to-day challenges of caring for herself and her younger brother, Henry, all while attempting to lead a normal pre-teen life.

Seventh-grader Serena Shaw is trying to keep up at school while rehearsing for the lead role in the spring musical and dealing with a father so blue he is nearly catatonic. With the aid of a not-so-secret admirer, as well as a growing sense of self-confidence, she faces the challenges of caring for herself and her ball-of-charm younger brother--all while attempting to lead the life of a normal pre-teen.

Readers will be drawn into this convincing portrait of a vivacious young person who is on a path to discovering that taking on responsibility sometimes means finding the best way to ask for help.