Twelve-year-old Selina Palmer is growing up in the Halifax community of Africville. Selina is the only black child in her class and daily endures discrimination from her classmates. One girl in particular, Doreen, bullies her relentlessly because of her race. Selina makes one friend, Rosalind, and is hurt when Rosalind's mother forbids their friendship. Selina's refuge is her home in Africville, where she is surrounded by the love and warmth of her family and community. The city of Halifax does not see these strengths in the community. It sees only the dilapidated houses, the lack of plumbing, and the crowded conditions. It becomes obvious that the city is going to destroy Africville and that the tight-knit community will be scattered. One strength of this novel is its portrayal of the effects of discrimination - the daily humiliations, the lack of opportunity and the sense of powerlessness. .

English language arts grade 6 (2009).