From attending the circus with her family to surviving the death of her beloved collie, the daily life of Valena is drawn here with warmth and quiet humor. Hamilton has deftly woven together moments in time -- the present, the past, and hopes for the future -- in this gathering of time pieces that move backward and forward. Artfully quilted together, these pieces create a picture of family, schoolteachers, neighbors (good and bad), and a history of escaped slavery, as well as the strands of racism that seemingly permeate everything -- both directly and indirectly.

"Time Pieces: The Book of Times" reflects the power of Virginia Hamilton's accumulated years as a writer and a socially aware individual. With descriptions of Mary Cloud, Hamilton's Native-American great grandmother who escaped from slavery in Virginia with Hamilton's grandfather, Levi Perry, this work incorporates numerous autobiographical moments that will be familiar to Hamilton fans and will fascinate readers of all ages. Here is a memorable contribution to literature about contemporary African-American children, which will speak to today's readers -- of every background.

This final draft of "Time Pieces: The Book of Times" was finished shortly before Ms. Hamilton died of breast cancer in February.