It's Okay to be Different

This excerpt explains that families are defined by love, caring and sharing, not the number or gender of its members.

Mia can’t understand why the new kid, Amena, seems sad, but she learns that a little empathy can go a long way.

“Ava is an ambitious teenager who owes much of her inner strength to a dance studio in South L.A. Founder Lula Washington and her daughter Tamica are professional dancers — and they are role models as well as teachers. At their dance school, African American children learn to respect themselves, their bodies, and their cultural traditions. The young dancers also defy stereotypes by mastering ballet. The dance program cultivates self-discipline and mutual support that enables girls like Ava to flourish even when their families are facing hard times.”