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  • Published: 15 April 2013
  • ISBN: 9780440422143
  • Imprint: RHUS Children's Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 320
  • RRP: $21.00

The Mighty Miss Malone




"We are a family on a journey to a place called wonderful" is the motto of Deza Malone's family. Deza is the smartest girl in her class in Gary, Indiana, singled out by teachers for a special path in life. But it's 1936 and the Great Depression hits Gary hard, and there are no jobs for black men. When her beloved father leaves to find work, Deza, Mother, and her older brother, Jimmie, go in search of him, and end up in a Hooverville outside Flint, Michigan. Jimmie's beautiful voice inspires him to leave the camp to be a performer, while Deza and Mother find a new home, and cling to the hope that they will find Father. The twists and turns of their story reveal the devastation of the Depression and prove that Deza truly is the Mighty Miss Malone.

"We are a family on a journey to a place called wonderful" is the motto of Deza Malone's family. Deza is the smartest girl in her class in Gary, Indiana, singled out by teachers for a special path in life. But it's 1936 and the Great Depression has hit Gary hard, and there are no jobs for black men. When her beloved father leaves to find work, Deza, Mother, and her older brother, Jimmie, go in search of him, and end up in a Hooverville outside Flint, Michigan. Jimmie's beautiful voice inspires him to leave the camp to be a performer, while Deza and Mother find a new home, and cling to the hope that they will find Father. The twists and turns of their story reveal the devastation of the Depression and prove that Deza truly is the Mighty Miss Malone.

  • Published: 15 April 2013
  • ISBN: 9780440422143
  • Imprint: RHUS Children's Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 320
  • RRP: $21.00

About the author

Christopher Paul Curtis

Christopher Paul Curtis grew up in Flint, Michigan, where BUD, NOT BUDDY is set. He supported himself through college by working on the assembly line at a car plant. He is now a full-time writer.

He is married with two children.

Also by Christopher Paul Curtis

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Praise for The Mighty Miss Malone

Praise for The Mighty Miss Malone:

"The fluidity of the writing, the strong sense of place and time combined with well-drawn characters will captivate and delight. Deza is one great heroine in her own right, a fitting literary companion to Bud Caldwell."--Kirkus Reviews, Starred

"Curtis threads important bits of African-American history throughout the narrative, using the Joe Louis-Max Schmeling fight to expose the racism prevalent even among people like the librarian who tells Deza that Louis is 'such a credit to your race.'"--Publishers Weekly, Starred