Because We Are

Emma’s dreams of popularity and academic success go up in smoke when she’s transferred to a less prestigious high school

Twelfth grader Emma Walsh is one of the lucky few African Americans at exclusive Marlborough High School. She is the only black student on the student council, and she’s just been elected to the National Honor Society. Now, the Golden Slippers will invite her to participate in their annual debutante ball. Graduation will be followed by a scholarship to a major university, then a celebrated career as a doctor. Her future couldn’t be brighter.

Until an uncalled-for outburst gets her transferred to the all-black Manning High School in the district where she lives. Emma fears she won’t fit in with the other students who are less fortunate than she. Her only friend is shy Allan Page, a senior on a free busing program who could have chosen any high school—and picked Manning. As Emma becomes caught up in life at her new school, her old life feels farther and farther away. Does she really want to be a debutante? Who is she trying to impress? Her successful physician father? Her boyfriend? What about herself?