Fiction. African American studies. Recently chosen by Essence magazine, this beloved modern classic tells the poignant story of a spirited young woman's coming of age in Depression-era Harlem. While 12 year-old Francie Coffin's world and family threaten to fall apart, this remarkable young heroine must call upon her own wit and endurance to survive amidst the treacheries of racism and sexism, poverty and violence. "The novel's greatest achievement lies in the strong sense of black life that it conveys: the vitality and force behind the despair. a most important novel"--New York Times Book Review.