Something Happened to Hillary
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Today Hillary decided to take a different route to the service station just in case Fred decided to follow her. Most of the kids did that as a short cut. The service station sat on the corner of Ally Lane. To throw Fred off Hillary crossed behind a couple of houses so Fred could not see her. As she got back on the side walk, a blue truck drove up slowly. Hillary did not know the man driving the truck. He had a bald head and tee shirt on with no sleeves. He looked hot and sweaty. She could hear barking in the truck. Then the man shouted, “I got some cute puppies on my front seat, do you want to see them?” She felt sick inside like she had done something wrong. Her heart started pounding fast and she walked faster.
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About the Book
Something Happened to Hillary is story about an eight-year-old African American girl who is faced with an experience that threatens her sense of security and a community that is close and helpful to one another. It provides parents the opportunity to discuss safety issues with their child and teach them about stranger danger.
The author wants others to know or remember a time in life where community meant more than just living beside one another. Everyone in Hillary’s community is related or close family friends. She feels safe roaming around the neighborhood where everyone she encounters speaks instead of turning their heads so they won’t have to interact.
About the Author
Stella Byrd has resided in the Metro Detroit area for over thirty-one years. She has been married to Wade L. Byrd II for twenty-eight years. Stella has two daughters, Kirsten Byrd Garrison (Miles) and Kai Ariel Byrd, who both reside in Sherman Oaks, California.
Stella cherishes her childhood memories and would like adults to remember how it was when neighbors valued relationships with one another and felt a sense of belonging. She has worked for thirty years in the community, mental health, and the public school system as a licensed clinical social worker. She enjoys sewing, knitting, and many other crafts and creative arts. She plans to continue her stories about Hillary who depicts a time when life was simple, summers were long and fall was like a new beginning.