Magic in Changing Your Stars

Description

Journey back to 1939 Harlem in this time-travel adventure with an empowering message about believing in yourself and persevering. Eleven-year-old Ailey Benjamin Lane, a gifted dancer, is certain that he'll land the role of the Scarecrow in his school's production of The Wiz. But when a classmate overshadows him at auditions, a deflated Ailey confides in his Grampa that he is going to give up dancing. Not ready to give up on Ailey, Grampa shares a story from his past. As a young boy, Grampa gave up his dreams of tap dancing even after the unofficial Mayor of Harlem, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, encouraged him to perform. Robinson also gifted him a special pair of tap shoes. A curious Ailey tries on the shoes and is instantly transported back to 1930s Harlem. There he meets a young street tap dancer and realizes it's his grandfather. Ailey thinks he can help the 12-year-old version of his Grampa face his fears, but he must tread lightly-if Ailey changes the past, can it affect his future, and will he ever make his way home? Featuring an all-Black cast of characters and many moments infused with Black culture and history, this is a time-travel adventure that has been waiting to be told.

Leah Henderson's writing is filled with stirring stories featuring Black heroes and heroines. She is the author of the middle-grade novel One Shadow on the Wall and Together We March: 25 Protest Movements That Marched into History. She lives in Washington, DC.

Praise for The Magic in Changing Your Stars "Black excellence, Black fantastic, and Black family combine for a transformational story of passion and persistence." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "A fast-paced story about family, bravery, and the arts, this story will have readers wanting to visit Harlem and tap alongside Ailey, Grampa, and Bojangles himself." --School Library Journal (starred review) "Henderson weaves magical realism and historical fiction together, offering hard lessons about trying and grit, alongside overwhelming love of family, a lot of laughs, and a 'smidgen of magic.'" --Booklist (starred review) "The value of family, perseverance, and believing in oneself takes center stage in this bighearted multigenerational story tinged with enchantment." --Publishers Weekly This story is family, and time-travel, plus Harlem, plus tap (and rap), with a dash of The Wiz. Come and get it. --Newbery Medalist Rebecca Stead, author of When You Reach Me and The List of Things that Will Not Change "The Magic in Changing Your Stars is an enchanting story of a boy whose dream of becoming a star will take readers on a most wonderfully magical journey--a heartfelt tribute to legendary African American performers and their place among the stars." -Ibi Zoboi, New York Times bestselling author of My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich "Leah Henderson brings heartfelt magic to this culturally rich journey of hope, self-discovery and familial love." --Rita Williams-Garcia, New York Times bestselling author of The Gaither Sisters trilogy