I Have Heard of a Land by Joyce Carol Thomas and illustrated by Floyd Cooper published in 1998. From book summary: "Describes the joys and hardships experienced by an African-American pioneer woman who staked a claim for free land in the Oklahoma Territory."
From back book cover: "In the late 1880's, signs went up all around America - land was free in the Oklahoma territory. And it was free to everyone: Whites, Blacks, men and women alike. All one needed to stake a claim was hope and courage, strength and perseverance. Thousands of pioneers, many of them African-Americans newly freed from slavery, headed west to carve out a new life in the Oklahoma soil. Drawing upon her own family history, National Book Award winner Joyce carol Thomas has crafted an unforgettable anthem to these brave and determined people from America's past. Richly illustrated by Coretta Scott King Award honoree Floyd Cooper, I HAVE HEARD OF A LAND is a glorious tribute to the African-American pioneer spirit."
CORETTA SCOTT KING AWARD
From back book cover: "In the late 1880's, signs went up all around America - land was free in the Oklahoma territory. And it was free to everyone: Whites, Blacks, men and women alike. All one needed to stake a claim was hope and courage, strength and perseverance. Thousands of pioneers, many of them African-Americans newly freed from slavery, headed west to carve out a new life in the Oklahoma soil. Drawing upon her own family history, National Book Award winner Joyce carol Thomas has crafted an unforgettable anthem to these brave and determined people from America's past. Richly illustrated by Coretta Scott King Award honoree Floyd Cooper, I HAVE HEARD OF A LAND is a glorious tribute to the African-American pioneer spirit."
CORETTA SCOTT KING AWARD