Running and Dancing

Two African American girls grow into teenagers at the turn of the 20th century (1916-1917). The times are much different than they are today. The older girl's sister fled the United States to find fame and fortune in another country (like Josephine Baker). She left behind a daughter, and the two girls (one is the other’s niece) each experience different coming of age adventures, according to their temperaments. Bertine, eldest of the pair, is a runner, like her sister. But Alma is a different sort of girl – one who enjoys the dance of life right where she is. This book was written by Carol Fenner over the course of 20 years, but she didn't finish the final edits before she died. The manuscript presented here has been polished and received final edits by her niece, Claudia Alexander.

Carol Fenner (now deceased) was the recipient of the Newbery Honor Award for Yolanda's Genius [Simon & Schuster, 1995], the ALA Notable Book Honor for Randall's Wall [Macmillan, 1991] and another ALA Notable Book Honor for the posthumously released Snowed In with Grandmother Silk (Dial Books, 2003). In 1970, The Skates of Uncle Richard was a runner up for the Coretta Scott King Award, a prize that is usually given to African Americans