Books published by publisher Just Us Books

You are Pink, not the prettiest girl, but smart and with plenty of resources. What do you do when your best male friend offers to have sex with you, because he thinks you’re a lost cause? You plot your revenge with your two best female friends, of course! It seems you’re in luck when a new and mysterious student appears. And, to top it all, he seems interested in you too. He could take part in the plan. But then, he seems to have a plan of his own… He insists he’s not just an ordinary boy. And what seemed so easy to begin with, gets more and more complicated when Heaven and Hell come knocking at Pink’s door. Pink Matters is the story of Pink, a 17-year-old girl, a good student, articulate and smart. But she has never been the centre of attention or made the top ten of the most popular and attractive girls at school. When two guys, both claiming to be angels, insist that she is, indeed, ‘special’, fight for her attention and help, and tell her she is the key to the future of the universe, she is quite cynical. But these guys can ‘do’ pretty amazing things, even miracles, so she has to wonder….

Best-selling author Omar Tyree makes his children's book debut with 12 Brown Boys, a collection of short stories for middle readers that focus on the lives of Black pre-teen boys. Readers will connect with Tyree's engaging characters. There is Red Head Mike who hates his nickname, but hates his red hair even more, and Chestnut, who is sent to live with relatives down south to keep him out of trouble in his Brooklyn neighborhood. There is Santa Monica super kid William, whose status as a scholar and entrepreneur has even his best friends hating him, and Wayne, who resents his role as the oldest child until a tragedy strikes the family. Tyree has assembled a wide range of characters that reflect the diversity of experiences of Black boys - characters that are funny, serious, edgy, street-wise, studious, and all unforgettable.

This third book in the series, originally published by Just Us Books, includes the inquisitive Afro-Bets Kids and their teacher, Mr. Amegashie, as he introduces them to Africa's rich history.The Afro-Bets Kids: Langston, Nandi, Glo, Stef, Tura, and Robo are together again. This time they explore the continent of Africa as they listen to stories their teacher, Mr. Amageshie, shares with them. From learning about the early tribes of Eygpt to the rolling hills of Africa's natural beauty, here comes a complete and perfect introduction to this vast continent.

Review From Publishers WeeklyNEATE is an acronym for Naimah, Elizabeth, Anthony, Tayesha and Eddie--African American friends who, in this first book of a series, campaign for the reelection of Naimah's mother to the city council. It's a bitter struggle between the respected woman and her white male opponent, an unabashed racist who advocates the re-zoning of community districts to quash African American voting power. Naimah and her pals, realizing that every vote counts, fervently urge their adult neighbors to cast their ballots. They also stage an exuberant rally for children, encouraging them to join this important cause. Chocolate's timely story dramatizes the electoral process, unfair political tactics and blatant prejudice, and should strike a responsive chord among socially aware youngsters. The novel's contemplative tone (though a bit at odds with the sprightly cover artwork) renders it a cut above the typical mass-market YA offering. Ages 10-up.