Only five of the 1800 photos from which these were selected had been printed before. The photographer had put them away, after spending a summer in Mississippi, with a Whitney grant. As an artist, the time had never been ripe to look at them again. This is the only record of a single town in the midst of the Civil Rights revolution in America. It is the record of the largest project in Mississippi, which was overlooked and unpublicised at the time, probably for reasons of personal conflict & sexism. It is also a moment in the civil rights revolution preserved with the sensibilities of a participant, who is African-American & American Indian. It is a loving but never sentimental look at the people of the town in the midst of change, and of the young white college students & middle-aged, middle class African-American professionals who volunteered their services in aid of that revolutionary movement. One bookseller has called the introduction to the photographs "the best I have ever read." It is a good introductory history for the majority of this country who were born after that time. And it is a very beautiful book.

This biography makes the reader realize that hard work can bring riches to one's life and I don't mean just money. Anyone who loves her job and saves money can accomplish anything. Kids should read this book and take Ola's message to heart. Find something you enjoy doing and make that your life's work!

I am so proud that this biography about the life of Oseola McCarty made the Texas Bluebonnet Reading List for 2000-2001! While reviewing this book for the library, I thought that Oseola's attitude about working hard, saving money, getting a good education, and sharing with others is exactly the kind of examples that we want to share with our children. Whenever I hear her name today and think about her generous gift to the University of Southern Mississippi, I am reminded that there is still honor, dignity, and value in doing work that brings pleasure. This wonderful biography about a remarkable woman's spirit is an inspiration to us all!

Ms. McCarty is exactly the type of person to which we, as parents, teachers, or librarians, should be exposing our children. This short book tells the story of how an uneducated black woman, who worked at only menial jobs, saved enough money to establish a college scholarship fund. There are important lessons about work ethic, education, saving money, and particularly about faith in God. This story should be read aloud to third grade and up. The book also includes information on setting up savings accounts.