''Scraps of Time: 1928, A Song for Harlem'' is a 2007 book by

Patricia McKissack Patricia C. "Pat" McKissack (''née'' Carwell; August 9, 1944 – April 7, 2017) was a prolific African American children's writer. She was the author of over 100 books, including Dear America books '' A Picture of Freedom: The Diary of Clotee, ...

about a girl, Lilly Belle, who spends the Summer of 1928 in

Harlem Harlem is a neighborhood in Upper Manhattan, New York City. It is bounded roughly by the Hudson River on the west; the Harlem River and 155th Street (Manhattan), 155th Street on the north; Fifth Avenue on the east; and 110th Street (Manhattan), ...

attending a writers' workshop led by

Zora Neale Hurston Zora Neale Hurston (January 7, 1891 – January 28, 1960) was an American author, anthropologist, and filmmaker. She portrayed racial struggles in the early-1900s American South and published research on Hoodoo (spirituality), hoodoo. The most ...

Reception

'' Booklist'', reviewing ''A Song for Harlem'', wrote "McKissack writes with empathy for the characters as well as a good eye for details that bring the period to life. Especially appripriate for aspiring writers, the themes of finding your voice and telling the truth resonate throughout this appealing chapter book." and the ''

School Library Journal ''School Library Journal'' (''SLJ'') is an American monthly magazine containing reviews and other articles for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, with ...

'' wrote "This easy-to-read novel has succinct chapters and sentences that, while simple, convey a feel for the characters and the time, and a vivid sense of place." ''A Song for Harlem'' has also been reviewed by '' The Horn Book Magazine'', and

Kirkus Reviews ''Kirkus Reviews'' (or ''Kirkus Media'') is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus (1893–1980). The magazine is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fic ...

. It is a 2008 CCBC Choice.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Song for Harlem, A 2007 American novels 2007 children's books American children's novels Children's historical novels American historical novels Novels set in the historical United States Novels set in Harlem Fiction set in 1928 Books by Patricia McKissack Viking Press books Children's books set in Harlem Children's books set in the 1920s