Book Description

Greenwood District, Oklahoma, 1921: Twelve-year-old Henry Simmons has lived his entire life in Greenwood, Oklahoma, a district north of Tulsa. He's loved by his parents and neighbors, annoyed by his little sister and protected by his community, full of hard-working, successful colored people like his mother and daddy. People call Greenwood "Black Wall Street," and Henry plans to grow up there until he becomes a famous writer or baseball player-or both. Sure, he's seen racism firsthand when he goes with his daddy to the white side of Tulsa. But for most of his life, as long as his friends and neighbors stay in Greenwood, the white residents of Tulsa don't cause too much trouble.Until May 31, 1921. That's the night Henry's life changed forever. His family's life changed forever. The entire town of Greenwood changed forever-all because 19-year-old Dick Rowland, a black shoeshiner working in Tulsa, is accused of assaulting a white, female elevator operator. That accusation and Dick's arrest turn into twelve hours of terror for Greenwood residents. And Henry and his family are right in the middle of the chaos.For these twelve hours, Henry, his mother, and his younger sister Livvie watch white men and women destroy their neighborhood while they miss Daddy, who went to help Dick. Sometimes, Henry, Mama, and Livvie hide; sometimes, they flee; and always, they are shocked by the terrifying behavior of their fellow human beings. Read Greenwood Gone: Henry's Story for Henry's account of one of the most horrible massacres in U.S. history-all because of hatred.Can love win even a small victory in the face of hate? Henry will find out. Please note: All of the author's proceeds from Greenwood Gone: Henry's Story will be donated to the city of Greenwood to be used in a way the residents feel is currently helpful. The publisher will also be making regular donations from the proceeds of the book.