This is a collection of African American short stories. McKissack based the stories on those she heard as a child while sitting on her grandparents’ porch.
Porch Lies: Tales of Slicksters, Tricksters, and Other Wily Characters
Africa
Materials from Africa
The Mangrove Tree
For a long time, the people of Hargigo, a village in the tiny African country of Eritrea, were living without enough food for themselves and their animals. The families were hungry, and their goats and sheep were hungry too. Then along came a scientist, Dr. Gordon Sato, who helped change their lives for the better. And it all started with some special trees. Dr. Sato’s mangrove tree-planting project transformed an impoverished village into a self-sufficient community. This fascinating story of environmental innovation is a celebration of creativity, hard work, and ability of one man to make a positive difference in the lives of many.
See the review at WOW Review, Volume 5, Issue 1
Bury My Bones But Keep My Words: African Tales For Retelling
A collection of thirteen traditional tales from various regions of Africa, including “The Man with a Tree on His Head,” “There’s One Day for the Victim,” and “The Two Swindlers.”
Sphinx’s Queen
Ancient Egypt springs to life in this enthralling sequel to Sphinx’s Princess. As she did in Nobody’s Princess and Nobody’s Prize, author Esther Friesner offers readers a fresh look at an iconic figure, blending historical fiction and mythology in a heady concoction. Hunted. . . Overnight, every aspect of Nefertiti’s life has changed. She is no longer living at the royal palace as the intended bride of the crown prince. Instead, she is being chased by the prince and his soldiers for a crime she did not commit. Hidden. . . Traveling with two of her dearest friends, including the crown prince’s brother, who helped her escape, Nefertiti takes shelter in the wild hills along the Nile’s west bank. She must rely on her own resourcefulness and skills (all those secret archery lessons prove very useful) as the fugitives fight to survive. Haunted. . . But the need for justice gnaws at Nefertiti. She is determined to plead her case to the Pharaoh and set things right. As she begins to question long-held sacred beliefs-a questioning that could alter the fabric of Egyptian society-her extraordinary journey from commoner to royalty brings adventure, intrigue, and romance.
The Lion’s Whiskers And Other Ethiopian Tales
A collection of folktales from the nine tribes of Ethiopia, along with two stories from Ethiopia’s religious traditions.
How Giraffe Got Such A Long Neck– And Why Rhino Is So Grumpy
During a terrible drought in which there is nothing to eat, Man prepares a magic herb that results in Giraffe’s long neck so he can reach the high leaves on the trees and a grumpy Rhino, who arrives too late for the magic.
The Leopard’s Drum: An Asante Tale from West Africa
Because Osebo the leopard won’t share his magnificent drum with anyone, Nyame the Sky-God offers a reward to whichever animal presents the drum to him.
The Ancient Africans
A retelling of several ancient African myths, with background information describing the history, geography, belief systems, and customs of various peoples of Africa.
Api and the Boy Stranger
In this Ivory Coast legend, Api and her family are repaid for their kindness to a stranger with a mysterious warning to leave their village and go to the other side of the river Amman.
Mcheshi Goes to the Game Park/Mcheshi Aenda Hifadhi Ya Wanyama
Mcheshi’s uncle, a game ranger, takes her and her brother Mungwana for a ride through a game park.