The Planet of Junior Brown

Winner of the Newbery Honor, The Planet of Junior Brown is an extraordinary story of heroism, and survival, that will appeal to young and older readers alike. The only thing Junior Brown and Buddy Clark really have is the small solar system they had built in the hidden cellar room of the school. Ostracized from his classmates Junior, a 300 pound musical and artistic prodigy, depends on his imagination for companionship. Buddy is used to depending on no one but himself. Homeless, he uses his wits to survive the streets. With the help of Mr. Poole, the school custodian, the two boys discover a world, a sheltered universe of their own in the basement room. When their hiding place is discovered, and Junior loses the only place he feels safe, his imagination takes over. It will take all of Buddy's resource to protect his friend as the realities of Junior's world come crashing in around them both. Award-winning author Virginia Hamilton is best known for her ability to create stories that teach with an element of fantasy. Heralded among the top black women writers, Hamilton brings the lessons of black urban experience to life for young adults from a variety of background and ethic origins.