Clouds Over California

In 1970s Los Angeles, Stevie's world is in flux. She's starting a new middle school, struggling to make friends, and witnessing growing tension between her parents. Her older cousin Naomi moves in, bringing with her involvement with the Black Panthers, which sparks both confidence in Naomi and questions for Stevie about identity and justice. This moving novel explores themes of family, friendship, and self-discovery against a backdrop of significant social change, offering a poignant look at a young girl's journey to understand her place in a rapidly evolving world and the hope that her family can remain intact.

"An absolute gem!" --Lisa Moore Ramée, author of A Good Kind of Trouble A moving novel about how a girl's family and friendships are turned upside down--just as the world is changing in 1970s Los Angeles, for fans of Rita Williams-Garcia and Renée Watson. Stevie's life is fluctuating rapidly. She's starting over in a brand new middle school. Quiet and observant, it's hard for her to make friends. Plus, her mind is too occupied. The tension in her home is building as her parents' arguments are becoming more frequent. To top it all off, Stevie's older cousin Naomi is coming to live with the family in an attempt to keep her from a "bad" crowd--The Black Panthers. Stevie agrees to keep Naomi's secrets. She's the cool big cousin, after all, and Stevie can't help but notice the happy, positive effect the Black Panthers are having on Naomi's confidence and identity--just like how Mom is making decisions for herself, even when Dad disapproves. Stevie feels herself beginning to change as well. But one thing remains the same: she loves both of her parents, and she loves them together. Can her family stay in one piece despite the world shifting around them?