Scraps of Time: Away West by Patricia C. McKissack

A heartfelt historical novella that tells the story of Everlyn, a twelve-year-old African American girl growing up in the segregated South of the 1920s. When her family decides to leave Tennessee and head west to the all-Black town of Nicodemus, Kansas, Everlyn must say goodbye to everything familiar — but gains the promise of freedom, opportunity, and a new beginning.

Inspired by real events, Away West captures the courage, hope, and determination of Black families seeking a better life during the Great Migration. Through Everlyn’s voice, young readers are introduced to the challenges and triumphs of forging a future in an unfamiliar land — and the importance of family, identity, and resilience.

Part of the Scraps of Time series, this beautifully written story combines rich historical detail with a personal journey that will inspire and inform readers ages 8–12.