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by Patricia Bellamy-Mathis (Author), Anastasiya Rudyk (Illustrator)
Down South for the Summer is the story of a Black family from the Northeast taking their annual road trip to see their grandparents in South Carolina. Set in the 1990s, this story highlights the quintessential Black experience --- sleek braids and beads, everyone (and then some) piling into the family van, and playing road trip games during the long drive. Once in the South, the family enjoys being wrapped in Grandma's shea butter hugs, the freshest meals farmed from the family land, waving hello to the friendliest neighbors and of course getting darker shades of mochas, caramels and chocolates from the hours spent playing in the Carolina sun. This story promotes the adventure and love that carries through the Black family from state to state, from road meal to home-cooked meal and in every small, yet memorable family experience.
