It All Comes Down to This - Hardcover

by Karen English (Author)

It's 1965, Los Angeles. All twelve-year-old Sophie wants to do is write her book, star in the community play, and hang out with her friend Jennifer. But she's the new black kid in a nearly all-white neighborhood; her beloved sister, Lily, is going away to college soon; and her parents' marriage is rocky. There's also her family's new, disapproving housekeeper to deal with. When riots erupt in nearby Watts and a friend is unfairly arrested, Sophie learns that life--and her own place in it--is even more complicated than she'd once thought.

How does a girl find her voice when the world around her is changing so fast?

• A Heartfelt Coming of Age Story: Twelve-year-old Sophie is an aspiring writer trying to make sense of her parents' rocky marriage, her first crush, and her own changing identity.
• 1960s Los Angeles Setting: Experience the summer of 1965 as Sophie's family becomes the first to integrate their neighborhood, just as the historic Watts Riots change the city forever.
• The Power of Sisterhood: A moving look at the unbreakable bond between two sisters as Sophie prepares to say goodbye to her beloved role model, Lily, who is leaving for college.
• Navigating Prejudice and Friendship: When Sophie, a Black girl, and Jennifer, a white girl, become best friends, they must confront the prejudices of their neighbors and classmates together.

Author Biography

Karen English is a Coretta Scott King Honor Award winner and the author of the Nikki and Deja and The Carver Chronicles series. Her novels have been praised for their accessible writing, authentic characters, and satisfying story lines. She lives in Los Angeles, California.