Zora Hurston and the Chinaberry Tree

By William Miller, Cornelius Van Wright, Ying-Hwa Hu

The true story of the famous writer, who as a young girl, learned about hope and strength from her mother.

Front cover for Zora Hurston y el árbol soñador by William Miller and Cornelius Van Wright; Ying-Hwa Hu
This book is also available in Spanish
Zora Hurston y el árbol soñador
By William Miller, Cornelius Van Wright, Ying-Hwa Hu

Description

Zora is full of dreams. From the top of the chinaberry tree, she dreams of living in the cities beyond the horizon. Her father thinks she should wear dresses and leave dreaming and tree-climbing to boys. But her mother teaches Zora that like each new branch of the chinaberry tree, dreams are always within reach.

Independent and full of spirit, Zora explores her hometown and listens to the stories of its people — stories her mother makes her promise to remember. But it isn’t until Zora is faced with her mother’s death that she realizes the importance of her promise. Based on autobiographical writings of the renowned African American writer Zora Neale Hurston, this is a story that will appeal to all readers who, like Zora, believe in their dreams.

About the Creators

William Miller

William Miller is the award-winning author of numerous books for children for Lee & Low. Mr. Miller lives in York, Pennsylvania, where he teaches African American literature and creative writing at York College.

Cornelius Van Wright

Cornelius Van Wright and his wife Ying-Hwa Hu have illustrated dozens of award-winning books. Their illustrations have been praised by Kirkus Reviews as “bright, detailed and dynamic, vividly depicting . . . characters’ facial features and personalities.” Van Wright, a native New Yorker, lives in New York City.

Ying-Hwa Hu headshot: She has short, straight, gray hair and wears glasses, pink lipstick, and a green and pink patterned shirt.
Ying-Hwa Hu

Ying-Hwa Hu and her husband Cornelius Van Wright have illustrated dozens of award-winning books. Their illustrations have been praised by Kirkus Reviews as “bright, detailed and dynamic, vividly depicting . . . characters’ facial features and personalities.” Hu, who was born in Taiwan, lives in New York City.

Awards

  • Reading Rainbow Selection

    PBS Kids

  • Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People

    National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)

  • CCBC Choices

    Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781880000335
  • Publication Date Sep 01, 1994
  • Trim Size 10 × 8.5 in
  • Weight 0.3125 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781880000144
  • Publication Date Sep 01, 1994
  • Trim Size 10 × 8.5 in
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Interests

  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JNF / Language Arts / Composition & Creative Writing
  • BISAC Category 2 JNF / Biography & Autobiography / Literary
  • BISAC Category 3 JNF / People & Places / United States / African American
  • Themes African / African American / Black, Biography / Memoir, Breaking Gender Barriers, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Coping with Death, Courage, Dreams & Aspirations, Education, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Mothers, Nonfiction, Optimism / Enthusiasm, Overcoming Obstacles, Persistence / Grit, Pride, Women's History
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 6 - 9
  • Grade Range Grades 1 - 4
  • Guided Reading R
  • ATOS Book Level 3.9
  • DRA 40
  • Interest Level Grades 1 - 4
  • Lexile Level 540
  • Reading Level Grades 3 - 4
  • SRC 3.5
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
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