Black Rock

Global Book Award Recipient: Black Rock is a fictionalized account of a young immigrant boy named Lucas and his family who settled in the community called Black Rock in the 1950s and early 1960s. It is an absorbing coming-of-age story about him, his family, and his friends living in a tough neighborhood filled with immigrants, generational poverty, and families with marginal incomes. It is also a story that delves into the challenges that their families experienced. However, living on the wrong side of the tracks was never a concept these children felt growing up. In fact, according to some, it was the best time in their life. Along the way, they experience the full thrust of Black Rock's social structure including bullies, verbal and physical assaults, mob violence, racism, and threats to life and limb. Despite poverty and degradation by perverse individuals, the overall community and its values eventually shine as they learn to accept and help each other, no matter who they are or where they came from. Author's Note: This gripping story includes strong, authentic language and stereotypical descriptions from the 1950s. It is not intended to be offensive; nevertheless, it is not intended for children and readers who might easily be offended.