No Place Like Home

This story set in 1920 revolves around Charles Charlie Jackson a twelve-and-a-half-year-old from Boley Oklahoma one of America's best-known all--Black towns. Today Boley once a thriving black mecca is smaller and more subdued. Still signifi-cant historical footprints line her streets and alleys. Charlie's window on the world offers us an up-close and personal view of this historic town during its heyday. In an era of great flux-the immediate wake of World War I; the dawn of women's suffrage; the rapid industrialization of America; the introduc-tion of the doomed social experiment known as Prohibition; the continuation of unstable race rela-tions and racial hostility intimidation and violence against African- Americans . . . Boley became a kind of cocoon enshrouding African-Americans (coloreds or Negroes at the time). They thrived emboldened and empowered by the sense of openness and oppor-tunity the town provided. Through Charlie's eyes we re-visit the impor-tance of self-esteem of believing in oneself and one's unlimited potential. Through Charlie's eyes we re-examine what it means to be part of a family to have deep roots. Through Charlie's eyes we rediscover some of the values that help create a sense of com-munity: love faith charity hope perseverance and integrity just to name a few. Charlie's experiences illuminate a little-known slice of American history. In the process they high-light important lessons for our present lives and for our futures.