Clouds Over California
  • Published: 13 July 2023
  • ISBN: 9780241346921
  • Imprint: Penguin eBooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 320

Clouds Over California

Formats & editions
EBook
13 Jul 2023
Paperback
10 Oct 2023
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Judy Blume meets Jacqueline Woodson in this quietly powerful and sweetly emotional coming-of-age story about finding your place in the world

This was supposed to be the best year ever for eleven-year-old Stevie Morrison. But instead, her life seems determined to turn itself upside down.

First of all, her parents can't stop fighting - and they decide to move the family to a totally new apartment, in a totally new part of town, which means a totally new middle school for Stevie. On top of that, her best friend, Jennifer, is acting weird. She won't return Stevie's phone calls, and apparently her new best friends are a bunch of mean girls. The final straw comes with the arrival of Stevie's teenage cousin Naomi - sent down in disgrace from Boston (though no one will tell Stevie why). But with Naomi comes an exciting glimpse of a world Stevie hasn't paid much attention to before: one of Cleopatra Jones movies, women's liberation and an intriguing-sounding group called the Black Panthers.

It might not be the year Stevie anticipated. But it will be the one that changes her life forever.
  • Published: 13 July 2023
  • ISBN: 9780241346921
  • Imprint: Penguin eBooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 320
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About the author

Karyn Parsons

Karyn Parsons is perhaps best known for her role as Will Smith's ditsy cousin Hilary Banks on NBC's The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. After leaving acting behind, Karyn went on to found and produce Sweet Blackberry, an award-winning series of children's animated films, to share stories about unsung black heroes in history, featuring narration from stars such as Alfre Woodard, Queen Latifah and Chris Rock. The serie has been screened on HBO and Netflix, and is enjoyed by schools and libraries across the USA. How High The Moon is Karyn's self-authored debut middle grade novel. She lives and works in New York.

Also by Karyn Parsons

Penguin Readers Level 4: How High The Moon (ELT Graded Reader)
How High The Moon
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Praise for Clouds Over California

Praise for How High the Moon: "As compelling as Brown Girl Dreaming, as character-driven as One Crazy Summer, and as historically illuminating as Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. A captivating novel that sheds new light on black childhood."

Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Stevie's path to empowerment is both touching and inspiring. This captivating read is an honest reminder of where we've been and what we've overcome; it is an absolute gem!

Lisa Moore Ramée, author of A Good Kind of Trouble

A compelling, complicated story that touches on huge topics - racist microaggressions, police profiling, feminism, divorce - but keeps it all focused through Stevie's wonderfully compassionate and curious lens. A fascinating and intimate snapshot of familial and personal transformation and the power in finding your voice.

Booklist

Set against the dreamy backdrop of 1970s Santa Monica, Clouds over California is a touching story about the difficulties of accepting change and the importance of being true to yourself. I absolutely loved spending time in Stevie's world.

Brandy Colbert, award-winning author of The Only Black Girls in Town

My heart! Clouds over California is one of those stories that nourishes the spirit and fills the soul. Deeply moving and refreshing, Stevie's story surprised me in every good and meaningful way. I tore through it in one sitting and then wanted to sit with it, like a new but already dear friend.

Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, author of Operation Sisterhood

Clouds over California is a taste of history with the thrills of mystery and brims with family secrets. Karyn Parsons created a sweet, heartfelt story filled with curiosity and hope.

Alicia D. Williams, award-winning author of Genesis Begins Again

One of the best stories I've read in a long while

Emma Carroll, author of Letters from the Lighthouse