A simply told but compelling story of home, family and community.

It's Amara's birthday and all she wants to do is visit her father's family in Harlem, New York City. But she knows relationships are strained. Her father doesn't speak to his father, and she doesn't know why. 

Amara is desperate to get to know her Grandpa Earl, and her cousins too, not least because she's been tasked with a school project to learn stories from family members. She wants to stay in the brownstone where her father grew up and to understand her family and herself, a little more.

As she should have expected, though, her father was too busy working to spend time with her and her Grandpa. What's more her cousins aren't friendly and Amara is frustrated at not being able to explore, so she sets off alone, in a very busy, noisy, crowded city. 

With Amara lost for a while, the other family members in their concern, reevaluate their priorities and when she's found, her father takes Amara round the neighbourhood and shares his memories.

A charming, unusual read.