A picture-book account of the childhood of African-American writer Zora Neale Hurston focuses on the influence of her mother, who told Zora all the world belonged to her, contrary to the messages she got from her father and society at large. When her mother died, young Zora, who liked climbing trees, wearing pants, and listening to old men spin their stories at the town store or around a night-time camp fire, promised herself that she would live up to her mother's expectations. Miller has chosen small, significant details to give a sense of Zora's intellect and personality through his spare account of her childhood. Somber pencil and watercolor paintings provide the perfect match for the text and depict Zora as a strong, active girl, even when she appears in the background as an observer. (Ages 6-9)

Zora is full of dreams. From the top of the chinaberry tree, she dreams of living in the cities beyond the horizon. Her father thinks she should wear dresses and leave dreaming and tree-climbing to boys. But her mother teaches Zora that like each new branch of the chinaberry tree, dreams are always within reach.

Independent and full of spirit, Zora explores her hometown and listens to the stories of its people -- stories her mother makes her promise to remember. But it isn't until Zora is faced with her mother's death that she realizes the importance of her promise. Based on autobiographical writings of the renowned African American writer Zora Neale Hurston, this is a story that will appeal to all readers who, like Zora, believe in their dreams.