race identity

James McBride chronicles his twelve-year journey to learn about his mother's past, describing her unhappy childhood, marriage, refusal to admit she was white, and creation of an all-black church in Harlem, and shares details of his own life and the challenges he faced coping with his family's secrets.

Examines racial attitudes based on information which has been provided by over 100 upper-income white men who express their views on blacks today, immigration, crime, and discriminatory practices.

Challenges African-Americans to play a stronger role in world peace, and denounces the United States government for making money off of war.

The Dare family heads to Florida to seek their fortune in oranges after the death of their mother, but when the local sheriff tries to ban them from the all-white school, it takes a court case that will divide the town to determine their fate.