Justin And The Best Biscuits In The World

"Justin can't seem to do anything right at home. His sisters berate his dishwashing and his mother despairs of his ever properly tidying his room. As for Justin, he angrily rejects the tasks as 'women's work.' Enter now Justin's widowed grandfather, who sizes up the situation, invites Justin for a visit to his ranch, and through daily routines quietly shows Justin that 'it doesn't matter who does the work, man or woman, when it needs to be done. What matters is that we try to learn how to do it the best we can in the most enjoyable way.' Grandpa gently teaches Justin certain basics such as how to wash dishes, make a bed, and cook the kind of meal Grandpa puts together on their trail ride. When Justin returns home, his confidence is restored and his frustration diminished; moreover, his family is glad to see him. Walter's story is simple but effective and all the more richer because her characters are black. Besides watching the tender relationship between Justin and his grandfather, readers also get a slice of black history as Grandpa reminisces about his ancestors and how they came west and also fills Justin in on black cowboys and the role they played in settling the land. A warm story welcome for its positive portrayal of black family life". Booklist