I have heard of a land Where the imagination has no fencesWhere what is dreamed one nightIs accomplished the next dayIn the Late 1800s in the Oklahoma Territory, all one needed to stake a claim was hope and courage--and the strength and determination to journey west. The Oklahoma land runs were open to everyone: Blacks and Whites, men and women alike. Thousands of american pioneers came--including many African-Americans newly freed from slavery. "I Have Heard of a Land" is a lyrical, moving portrait of a few of themen and women who journeyed to Oklahoma in the quest for a new life.National Book Award winner Joyce Carol Thomas draws on her own family history to bring to lifes fascinating piece of America's little known and unexplored past. With rich detailed illustrations by Coretta Scott King Award honor recient Floyd Cooper, "I Have Heardof a Land" is a glorious tribute to the courage of those early Americans who dared toact on their dreams.
Award-winning author of more than 30 books and several plays, including the acclaimed musical "Abyssinia", internationally-renowned and best-selling African-American writer Joyce Carol Thomas was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma and now resides in Berkeley, California. A professor and teacher for over twenty years at some of the nation's most prestigious colleges, including the University of Tennessee and Purdue University, she received her Master of Arts degree from Stanford University. Joyce is a highly sought-after motivational speaker who delivers empowering speaking presentations that engage the heart, mind, and soul. In addition to speaking at colleges and universities in the United States, she has presented lectures, seminars, and workshops on creative writing and cultural studies in Nigeria, Haiti, Ecuador, Australia, Samoa, and the Mariana Islands.
Fraternities, students, administrators, alumni, and advisors schedule appearances by this eloquent and articulate Black woman when they want to ignite their campus student body and community groups about the joys of learning. How do you honor and respect your heritage while acknowledging people of all races, cultures, and backgrounds? Want proven ways to garner your best grades? Need help choosing your campus friends wisely? Ask Joyce! She fills all of her engagements with a uniquely warm, personal, and insightful sense of learning, laughter, and love.
Joyce's numerous honors and awards include the National Book Award, the American Book Award, the New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year Award, Outstanding Woman of the 20th Century Award, three Coretta Scott King Honor Awards, the Center for Poets and Writers' Poet Laureate Award, Kirkus Reviews Editors' Choice, the American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults, Book of the Month Club Selection, and many more.
