Wayne L Wilson
The New Frontier
This young adult historical fiction novel is based on the true and untold stories of the African American urban pioneers of the twentieth century who moved into all-White neighborhoods.
These courageous souls shattered color barriers from block to block; but not without being subjected to bigotry and some of the most dire repercussions like racial profiling and prejudice.
It’s 1961, the era of President Kennedy’s “New Frontier”. This coming-of-age drama centers on the Coles move into an exclusive White Los Angeles neighborhood. They represent the “Great Migration” of Southern Blacks who migrated West seeking equal rights, better job opportunities, and lifestyle.
The heart of this tale is weaved from the imaginative, innocent, and sensitive observations of its 12-year-old protagonist, Samuel. His narration of how his family navigates their assimilation and the daily hurdles they encounter are injected with pathos and his quirky sense of humor.
Although The New Frontier is targeted toward YA readers, its story and message extend to the audience of any age.
The themes are universal and as relevant today as were in the past – bigotry, prejudice, housing discrimination, religious narrow-mindedness, racial profiling, police brutality, stereotyping, bullying, and xenophobia.
Join the mysterious adventures of Samuel and his next-door neighbor as they form a bond of a cross-cultural friendship and navigate the muddy waters of the early sixties in America.
