Mama's Chicken and Dumplings /// Dionna L. Mann /// new

Growing up in segregated 1930’s Charlottesville, ten-year-old Allie is determined to find a man for her mama to marry— but not just any man will do!

Allie’s life with Mama isn’t bad, but she knows it could be better if Mama would find someone to marry. Allie’s worst enemy, her NOT-friend Gwen, has a daddy, and Allie wants someone like that—someone to fix things when they break, someone who likes to sing, and has a kind-smile. 

So Allie makes a plan—her super secret Man-For-Mama plan. She has a list of candidates with a clear top choice: Mr. Johnson, who owns the antique store. Best of all, Mr. Johnson went to school with Mama, and he wants to get reacquainted! The battle’s half won, and Allie is sure that when he tries Mama’s yummy chicken and dumplings, he’ll be head over heels.  

But someone else is interested in Mama: Mr. Coles, Allie’s teacher, who’s also Gwen’s uncle! Mama can’t marry him—no way is Allie going to be related to Gwen. On top of it all, Allie’s best friend is moving to Chicago; Allie keeps getting in trouble; and everyone seems to think she’s jealous of Gwen, for some reason. Nothing is going how she planned, but Allie is determined to get things back on track toward the life she knows she and Mama both deserve. . . even if Mama doesn’t agree yet.

BIO

Dionna L. Mann is a children's book author and freelance journalist who in her younger days loved biking, swimming, jogging, and meandering through the woods. She spent more than 25 years volunteering and working in the school system where her talented now-grown children attended. Her favorite part of working with children was teaching them about the writing process and reading the beautiful and heartfelt words they penned. As a person of color, she enjoys learning about lesser-known people found in the records of African American history. One day she hopes to swim with dolphins. You can find her online at dionnalmann.com Oscar Herrero was born in Madrid and studied Journalism before deciding to devote himself entirely to art. He is an illustrator, character designer and writer with experience in illustrating children's books, comics, magazine covers, album cover art and videogames, as well as working as a Visual Development artist for leading animation studios.

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