Virginia Hamilton (1936-2002) was not only one of the most magnificent writers who ever lived — winning honors such as the Newbery Medal, Newbery Honor, National Book Award, and the Coretta Scott King Award for classics like , , and — she was one of the greatest thinkers we ever had on children's literature. Born to a family of storytellers, she wove into her books and thoughts a deep concern with memory, tradition, and generational legacy, especially as they helped define the lives of African Americans from the days of slavery onward. Hamilton described her work as ''liberation literature.'' This landmark book — since fallen out of print and now lovingly restored and repackaged in this gorgeous edition — brings together her essays, speeches, and interviews into one thought-provoking, incisive, inspiring whole.Presented in a high quality flexibound binding, also features a foreword by Laura Pegram, founder of Kweli; an introduction by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, the "mother of" multicultural children's literature; and a full-color frontispiece portrait of Virginia Hamilton, illustrated by Caldecott Medalists Leo & Diane Dillon. It is a must-have for anyone interested in writing, the history of African American representation, children's literature, and literature overall.