The “Town” Series   begins in the era of
civil rights awakening
in the U.S. 
It follows the life of David Williams from adolescence to adulthood, and from the South to the North and back again after he realized his dream of becoming a doctor. 

The series features
a foreword by
Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop and an afterword by the author’s daughter, 
Dr. Ruth Graham Siegrist.

The “Town” Series offers:

 ü      Stories that enrich curriculum in Social Studies, English, Literature, and Civics

 ü      A diversified and multi-ethnic framework for discussion and further study

 ü      A foundation for analyzing current racial issues by introducing topics such as segregation, integration, the Black Power Movement, and social action     

   ü      Real-life lessons in understanding the similarities among all Americans  

   ü    This series is an excellent focus for young adult literature during Black History Month yet the novels fit nicely into a four-quarter school year

   South Town

The series opens in the early 1950's in the South.

    Topics for discussion:

 - Segregation in the South
 - Legacy of Jim Crow                          
 - Dispelling stereotypes about Black
       family life
 - Courageous crossing of racial lines

 Whose Town?                  

 The series continues in the mid 1950s. 

  Topics for discussion:

  - The struggle for civil rights and equal
       treatment       
  - Rise of the Black Power Movement 
  - Nonviolence and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
  - Conflict for teenagers: Which direction
       to choose?

In today’s classrooms, these books might promote rich critical conversations about social issues—racism in particular-- and the ways that power and privilege are unevenly distributed in our society... they can also help today’s readers gain some historical perspective on the discrimination and inequities that result from racist beliefs and racist practices.  [The books] could also help readers develop an understanding of the importance of social action as a means to change the status quo.
  
Thus, Graham’s work not only offered hope to its readers initially, but also retains its relevance, particularly in terms of current views of the role of literature as a vehicle for helping to fulfill the goals of multicultural education

         Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop & Jonda McNair.
        “A Centennial to Arna Bontemps, Langston Hughes,
             and Lorenz Graham.” 
         The New Advocate. Vol. 15, No. 2, p. 117.