The Miami series grew out of a real need that Pat McKissack saw in children's books: There weren't many books about middle-class African American kids. We are professional people, Pat said about herself and her husband, Fred, in The Dallas Morning News. Our kids never knew a hungry day. They lived a normal, middle-class life on a street that was very diverse. It's not that the other kind of stories aren't important. But I got tired of African American children showing up in literature a day late and a dollar short.
These three books show Miami Jackson's third-going-on-fourth-grade life--getting through the last few days of school before summer vacation, finding his place in summer baseball camp, and dealing with a no-nonsense new teacher--with humor and irrepressible attitude.
Patricia McKissack and Fredrick McKissack have written tons of wonderful books for children, such as several Coretta Scott King Award-winning books, including Black Hands, White Sails; and Sojourner Truth: Ain't I a Woman? Pat has also been honored with the Virginia Hamilton Award. The authors live in St. Louis, MO.