Leah Henderson 
The Magic in Changing Your Stars 

Can you change your fate
—and the fate of those you love—
if you return to the past? Journey to 1939 Harlem in this time-travel adventure with an inspiring message about believing in yourself.

 

Eleven-year-old Ailey Benjamin Lane can
dance—so he’s certain that he’ll land the role of the Scarecrow in his school’s production of
The Wiz. Unfortunately, a talented classmate and a serious attack of nerves derail his audition: he just stands there, frozen. Deflated and defeated, Ailey confides in his Grampa that he’s ready to quit. But Grampa believes in Ailey, and, to encourage him, shares a childhood story. As a boy, Grampa dreamed of becoming a tap dancer; he was so good that the Hollywood star and unofficial Mayor of Harlem, Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson, even gave him a special pair of tap shoes. Curious, Ailey finds the shoes, tries them on, taps his toes, and makes a wish. In the blink of an eye, he finds himself somewhere that if most definitely no place like home! Featuring an all-African-American cast of characters, and infused with references to black culture and history, this work of magical realism is sure to captivate and inspire readers.

About the author

Leah Henderson tells stirring stories featuring black heroes and heroines. She is the author of the middle-grade novel,
One Shadow on the Wall, and her short story will be included in the YA anthology,
Black Enough: Stories in Black Teenhood in America. She lives in Washington, DC. Find Leah on Twitter @Leahs Mark and on her website at leahhendersonbooks.com.