Just Us Women

A young African American girl is excited about a road trip with her Aunt Martha. It is a special trip, with the first rule set by Aunt Martha: "No boys and no men, just us women." It's a trip they've been planning for long time. They've even made a list that's been double-checked every night. They have two road maps, just in case. They will carry on a little tradition of wrapping their lunch in wax paper, like Aunt Martha did when she was little, and packing it in two shoeboxes they have saved.

As the trip nears, the girl anticipates all the amazing things they will do. There will be nobody telling them what they can't do - like stopping at roadside markets and buying all the junk they like. Heck, they'll even stop the car in the rain and get out and walk around in it. They'll drive the back roads and buy farmers' fruit. And when the food runs out, they'll stop at a fancy restaurant. So powerful they'll be - "just us women" - they'll turn the day around and breakfast at night.

Author Jeannette Caines has created an exuberant celebration of life expressed in the strong relationship a girl has with her beloved aunt. Pat Cummings' soulful mixed-media illustrations thoroughly express the joy and freedom the two women - one mature and one jumping headfirst into womanhood - feel as they imagine themselves on their idyllic road trip.