Summertime & the Livin’ is Easy
by Edwina Louise Dorch

This short story is a parable for 8-11-year-old, African American, Native American, Spanish American, and Puerto Rican children. And, it has a coming-of-age theme in that it presents a fairy godmother-type figure who protects two pre-teen siblings from their cruel stepfather who forces them into dangerous nighttime adventures wherein they learn many lessons. Hence, this story is like the treasured fable, Hansel and Gretel.