“A quietly affecting portrait of an aspiring activist logophile as a Black Philly girl.”
Jacket art by Pat Cummings • Jacket design by Maeve Norton
“Buckle up as Neva Beane takes readers on a thrill ride through the twists and turns of adolescence. Christine Kendall has delivered an inter-generational story written with humor, heart, hope — and the power of self discovery.”
“Many young readers will relate to Neva’s newfound understanding of inequality and injustice in her community and the world beyond. ”
The True Definition of Neva Beane
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Being twelve isn't easy, especially when you're Neva Beane. She knows she's beautiful and smart but there are so many confusing signals in everyday life about, well, everything including the changes taking place in her preadolescent body; her relationship with her best friend, Jamila; and her admiration for the activist on the block, Michelle.
Mom and Dad are on tour in Europe and Neva and her brother, Clay, are left at home with their traditional grandparents. The household descends into inter-generational turmoil and Neva is left with what comforts her most—words and their meanings. While the pages of her beloved dictionary reveal truths about what's happening around her, Neva discovers the best way to define herself.
“Christine Kendall has woven an empowering tale with a fresh voice that jumps off the page. The True Definition of Neva Beane is about the love of community, and serves as a great reminder to young people that they have the power to make change.”
“Twelve-year-old Neva struggles to find her place in a world that is uncertain, scary, and filled with unanswered questions. Comforted by words and their meanings, Neva fills the pages of her dictionary with definitions that reveal truths about what’s happening around her and help her to define herself.”
Jacket art by Lavente Szasbo • Jacket design by Mary Claire Cruz
Named one of the 50 Best Books for Teens by The New York Public Library
Named a Junior Library Guild Selection for Fall 2016
Recipient of a 2016 National Parenting Publications Award
Listen to Christine Kendall interviewed on NPR Philadelphia’s WHYY Newsworks Tonight about Riding Chance and the 26th Annual African-American Children’s Book Fair.
The Philadelphia Tribune: 'Riding Chance' author in race for NAACP award
The Brown Bookshelf: Christine Kendall
Riding Chance
Nominated for an NAACP Image Award
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Troy is a kid with a passion. And dreams. But after his mom dies and his dad withdraws into grief, he's got nothing to rely on except his best friend Foster.
Or so he thinks.
A minor scrape with the law lands the two friends in a mentoring program where they work with horses and discover a sport totally new to them—polo. Immediately, Troy is captivated by a girl at the stables but it is a horse, Chance, who steals his heart and allows him to feel safe enough to be himself.
Set in present-day Philadelphia, Christine Kendall's stunning debut is a hero's journey through uncertain city streets and the chances we all take to find ourselves.
“A stirring look into the life of a young man finding passion, inspiration, and direction.”
“A worthwhile first outing; Kendall shows promise.”
“Boys at risk and polo ponies? Christine Kendall has made me a believer and a cheerleader in her promising debut of navigating trust and necessary armor.”
“A heartwarming tale of redemption and second chances, as seen through the eyes of a teen surrounded by love and determined to press on, no matter what.”
“Christine Kendall’s powerful debut is full of hope. Her characters fill each page with resonance that will linger with readers from the book’s very first words to its final lines.”
Jamari
Short story featured in Kweli Journal.
Miss Anderson’s scared of Jamari. Our whole class knows that. Well, everybody except Jamari. He doesn’t know 'cause he likes school. Jamari likes everything; birds, drawing, and snakes like the yellow and green one we found near the piers in Riverside Park. Jamari says it's a corn snake. He knows 'cause he looks up stuff to show Miss Anderson. He likes her so much, but she doesn’t like him back.
Photograph by Ozier Muhammad
Title image "Garage with White Peak" Copyright © The Summerset Review 2017.
Rose’s Cottage
Short story featured in Summerset Review.
There we were, me and Cousin Marvin, standing in this white lady's garage holding up a Klan robe. Couldn't have been anything else. Real long, solid white except for an emblem over the heart. Had the hood, too. Pointy with the face masked except for eye holes.