Will's Race for Home
by Jewell Parker RhodesJoin Jewell Parker Rhodes in her
Will’s Race for Home Book Tour
Sunday, January 12th, 1pm MT
The Bookies Bookstore & The Smoky Hill Library – Centennial, CO
Tuesday, January 14th, 6:30pm CT
The Novel Neighbor & the St. Louis County Library, Florissant Valley Branch – Florissant, MO
Thursday, January 16th, 6:30pm CT
The Book Stall & the Skokie Public Library – Skokie, IL
Thursday, January 23rd, 6pm PT
with Kelly McWilliams Third Place Books – Lake Forest Park, WA
Will's Race for Home
It’s 1889, barely twenty-five years after the Emancipation Proclamation, and a young Black family is tired of working on land they don’t get to own.
So when Will and his father hear about an upcoming land rush, they set out on a journey from Texas to Oklahoma, racing thousands of others to the place where land is free—if they can get to it fast enough. But the journey isn’t easy—the terrain is rough, the bandits are brutal, and every interaction carries a heavy undercurrent of danger.
And then there’s the stranger they encounter and befriend: a mysterious soldier named Caesar, whose Union emblem brings more attention—and more trouble—than any of them need.
All three are propelled by the promise of something long denied to them: freedom, land ownership, and a place to call home—but is a strong will enough to get them there?
Honors
Recognition and Accolades awarded to Will’s Race for Home
Praise
Words of praise for Will’s Race for Home from the press and authors
“Ripe with historical facts and moments of high tension, this adventurous story reflects on the aftereffects of violence on soldiers and what life looked like for Black citizens following the conclusion of the Civil War. It’s an empowering read that never loses sight of Will’s profound exploration of adolescence.”
“The short chapters make this fast-paced and eventful ride through the West an accessible and engaging read. Although Will’s internal and external conflicts are central to the story, Rhodes’ well-developed peripheral characters have incredible depth, adding complexity to the straightforward adventure… An exciting gallop through real history with little-known heroes taking the lead.”
“Written in hauntingly engaging prose, this brutal and heartrending depiction of a vital coming-of-age story is sure to grip readers… Rhodes deftly captures a unique aspect of this historical event, with a perspective that is often under-represented in historical fiction. VERDICT: A poignant and honest look at the trials of racism that defined the historic land rush; a must-buy for all libraries.”
“This adventure is one heart-pounding moment after another, from fights with villainous men to snake attacks, but the book also deliberately considers how racism continued post-emancipation and the effects of intergenerational trauma. Both Will’s constant internal wondering—about his father’s past, his parents’ love for each other, racism in the post-Civil War west—and his blossoming relationships with Caesar and his father create a compellingly thoughtful narrator.”
Order Will's Race for Home
Don’t forget to pick up your very own copy of Will’s Race for Home, now available for preorder!
Release date: Tuesday, January 14th