Seventeen stories about the experiences of young people of African descent around the world, by such authors as Toni Cade Bambara, John Henrik Clarke, Njabulo Ndebele, and Barbara Burford.

Foreword /Charles Johnson -- Introduction -- Raymond's run / Toni Cade Bambara -- Scar / Cecil Foster -- Day the world almost came to an end / Pearl Crayton -- Late bud / Ama Ata Aidoo -- Mountain / Martin J. Hamer -- Bright Thursdays / Olive Senior -- Boy who painted Christ Black / John Henrik Clarke -- Big water / Charlotte Watson Sherman -- Swan song / Quince Duncan -- Getting the facts of life / Paulette Childress White -- Test / Mjabulo Ndebele -- How, why to get rich / J. California Cooper -- Johnny Blue / Archie Weller -- Marigolds / Eugenia Collier -- My Lucy / Howard Gordon -- Dreaming the sky down / Barbara Burford -- My mother and Mitch / Clarence Major -- About the contributors.