And I Heard a Bird S

Guy's notable novels include The Disappearance and New Guys Around the Block, which both focus on an engaging black teenager, Imamu Jones. Reunited with his widowed mother in this book, Imamu helps her overcome alcoholism and begins to earn a living at a job he likes. Delivering gourmet foods to white customers in an exclusive Brooklyn enclave, Imamu often lingers to visit crippled young Margaret Maldoon at her request. The girl is lonely; the boy feels her need for companionship so he stays. Besides, he is strongly attracted to the place as well as to Margaret's seductive Aunt Charlotte. Then the girl's racist Uncle James complains and Imamu no longer is given deliveries for the Maldoons. But he's there later, when Margaret is found murdered and is forced to use detective skills acquired in the previous stories to clear himself of suspicion and get the killer. Guy again proves her skill at creating stirring stories about real peoplehere not only Imamu but his mother, concerned foster family and everyone involved. Ages 12-up. (May)