Little A and Ku-jaa

About the Book

Shirley Nelson Kersey, Ph.D. For The Young African-American Boy Readers of the books of fiction featuring Little A, a boy living in the projects of Memphis, are instantly aware that the writer is eminently qualified to focus on this young hero. Only a person who has taught in the inner city schools is able to create a fictional, yet realistic account of the life of a youngster struggling to find himself in this environment. John Chipley, whom the boys fondly have dubbed Mr. Chip, taught in Memphis inner-city schools for over fifteen years. In retirement he offers weekly volunteer sessions that focus on encouraging boys to read. This is a lofty goal, for the boys live in homes and neighborhood environments not structured to develop reading skills or dreams of career advancement. Mr. Chip’s goal surpasses development of reading ability to encourage the boys to enjoy this privilege. Chipley is formally prepared to teach, for he holds both Bachelor and Master of Education degrees. However, the most memorable aspect of his classroom presence is his heart. He cares deeply about each one of his students and is there for them both now and in the future. Through the persona of Little A, Chipley gives the boys a fictional character with whom they can identify. Little A’s life style echoes theirs. While reading this series of books, the boys witness someone they can relate to. Little A is a wonderful fictional character full of wisdom, character, adventure, and confidence.

About the Author

His students call him “Mr. Chip.” At the age of seventy-two, he is now retired from the classroom but continues to write stories for and about his students. Mr. Chip left the corporate world at the age of fifty-six for the challenge of teaching in the inner city of Memphis. He refers to his adventure of teaching in the inner city of Memphis as one of “putting a little round white man in a large square black hole.” While Mr. Chip loves his students, he knows they didn’t belong to him. His students belong to the streets. Through education and love, he continues to try to open new doors and show his students new worlds. He always challenges them to fly, to escape, to run, to excel. He challenges them to discover their full potential and what lies on the other side of poverty. And then he asked them to return and help other students learn how to “fly.” Mr. Chip is both a master teacher and storyteller. “Little A and Ku-Jaa” is his fourth Little A book. In this book, he once again surprises us with one more example of his vivid imagination and magical ability to blend truth with fiction.