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Blue Beach—
$23.98
The Story
Perfect for fans of Promise Boys, this gripping historical mystery follows a teenager who finds a murdered girl on her family's California beach--a discovery that will reveal the racism rampant in her world. Fifteen-year-old Blue Collins's parents own the only Black beach in Santa Monica in 1929. She loves spending time there with her handsome friend Ben Clark. It's a quiet spot where they can be alone and where Ben's darker skin won't be judged by onlookers--or Blue's own family. During a sunset rendezvous after a summer parade, the pair discovers the body of Dottie Whitehouse, a white debutante. Blue Beach is already threatened by local white property owners. Now their whole community could be at risk. In their panic, Blue and Ben move Dottie's body into the waters of a nearby white beach. Dottie's body washes ashore, and it isn't long before all eyes are on Ben. Everyone saw how Dottie teased him and how they shared smiles. And their history goes deeper than Blue ever realized. But to save Ben from the outraged white townspeople, she'll need to do whatever she can to dig up the truth and prove his innocence. Ben isn't the only one whose life depends on it.
Author: Karyn Parsons
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 06/09/2026
Pages: 304
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.84lbs
Size: 8.53h x 5.76w x 1.09d
ISBN: 9780316575751
Audience: Young Adult
Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 04/15/2026
School Library Journal 03/01/2026 pg. 79
Publishers Weekly 03/23/2026
Booklist 05/01/2026
About the Author
Karyn Parsons is best known for her role as Will Smith's cousin Hilary Banks on NBC's The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. After leaving acting behind, Karyn has gone on to found and produce Sweet Blackberry, an award-winning series of children's animated films, to share stories about unsung Black heroes in history, featuring narration from stars such as Alfre Woodard, Queen Latifah, and Chris Rock. The videos have been screened on HBO and Netflix, and enjoyed by schools and libraries across the country. She is the author of Clouds over California and How High the Moon. Karyn lives in Providence, Rhode Island, with her family.
Author: Karyn Parsons
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 06/09/2026
Pages: 304
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.84lbs
Size: 8.53h x 5.76w x 1.09d
ISBN: 9780316575751
Audience: Young Adult
Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 04/15/2026
School Library Journal 03/01/2026 pg. 79
Publishers Weekly 03/23/2026
Booklist 05/01/2026
About the Author
Karyn Parsons is best known for her role as Will Smith's cousin Hilary Banks on NBC's The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. After leaving acting behind, Karyn has gone on to found and produce Sweet Blackberry, an award-winning series of children's animated films, to share stories about unsung Black heroes in history, featuring narration from stars such as Alfre Woodard, Queen Latifah, and Chris Rock. The videos have been screened on HBO and Netflix, and enjoyed by schools and libraries across the country. She is the author of Clouds over California and How High the Moon. Karyn lives in Providence, Rhode Island, with her family.
Description
Perfect for fans of Promise Boys, this gripping historical mystery follows a teenager who finds a murdered girl on her family's California beach--a discovery that will reveal the racism rampant in her world. Fifteen-year-old Blue Collins's parents own the only Black beach in Santa Monica in 1929. She loves spending time there with her handsome friend Ben Clark. It's a quiet spot where they can be alone and where Ben's darker skin won't be judged by onlookers--or Blue's own family. During a sunset rendezvous after a summer parade, the pair discovers the body of Dottie Whitehouse, a white debutante. Blue Beach is already threatened by local white property owners. Now their whole community could be at risk. In their panic, Blue and Ben move Dottie's body into the waters of a nearby white beach. Dottie's body washes ashore, and it isn't long before all eyes are on Ben. Everyone saw how Dottie teased him and how they shared smiles. And their history goes deeper than Blue ever realized. But to save Ben from the outraged white townspeople, she'll need to do whatever she can to dig up the truth and prove his innocence. Ben isn't the only one whose life depends on it.
Author: Karyn Parsons
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 06/09/2026
Pages: 304
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.84lbs
Size: 8.53h x 5.76w x 1.09d
ISBN: 9780316575751
Audience: Young Adult
Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 04/15/2026
School Library Journal 03/01/2026 pg. 79
Publishers Weekly 03/23/2026
Booklist 05/01/2026
About the Author
Karyn Parsons is best known for her role as Will Smith's cousin Hilary Banks on NBC's The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. After leaving acting behind, Karyn has gone on to found and produce Sweet Blackberry, an award-winning series of children's animated films, to share stories about unsung Black heroes in history, featuring narration from stars such as Alfre Woodard, Queen Latifah, and Chris Rock. The videos have been screened on HBO and Netflix, and enjoyed by schools and libraries across the country. She is the author of Clouds over California and How High the Moon. Karyn lives in Providence, Rhode Island, with her family.
Author: Karyn Parsons
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 06/09/2026
Pages: 304
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.84lbs
Size: 8.53h x 5.76w x 1.09d
ISBN: 9780316575751
Audience: Young Adult
Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 04/15/2026
School Library Journal 03/01/2026 pg. 79
Publishers Weekly 03/23/2026
Booklist 05/01/2026
About the Author
Karyn Parsons is best known for her role as Will Smith's cousin Hilary Banks on NBC's The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. After leaving acting behind, Karyn has gone on to found and produce Sweet Blackberry, an award-winning series of children's animated films, to share stories about unsung Black heroes in history, featuring narration from stars such as Alfre Woodard, Queen Latifah, and Chris Rock. The videos have been screened on HBO and Netflix, and enjoyed by schools and libraries across the country. She is the author of Clouds over California and How High the Moon. Karyn lives in Providence, Rhode Island, with her family.
