The Purposeful Oliver Burke

The Purposeful Oliver Burke by Will Appiah is the first installment of the ‘Who Is Oliver Burke?’ trilogy. The story is an inspiring tale of fate, love, pain, and purpose. The novel guides readers through one man’s journey in searching for the meaning of life, oblivion, and discovering his true self—with the help of a mysterious friend.
Walter Benine had the world at his fingertips: a loving family, a prosperous career, and a confidence that commanded respect. He defined his life based on his work, numerous accomplishments, and goal of bettering his community. However, life in New York is never easy and the perfection in Walter’s life was fleeting. In the moments he begins to question his life choices and his reasons for living are challenged, he must come to grips with the harsh reality of what defines him as a man and as a person.

The Angels Are Flying So Low

The Angels Are Flying So Low by Will Appiah is the follow-up novel to the critically acclaimed, The Purposeful Oliver Burke. The novel tells the story of how a seemingly ordinary African American child, born in the darkest shadows of New York City, grew to become an extraordinary gentleman who committed himself to changing the world. This story reminds readers that the two sides to every story can sometimes live on opposite ends of morality.
In this thrilling sequel, we follow Oliver, a brown child born in the concrete jungle during a post-civil rights period, which also introduced the rise of the crack cocaine epidemic to New York City. As the story unfolds, Oliver’s rebellious, carefree demeanor garners the attention of a local drug dealer who exposes Oliver to a life of crime, cash, and women. Around the same time, Oliver also meets a community activist who commits herself to ensuring his circumstance does not dictate his fate. With both “angels” in positions to influence the misplaced teen, he finds himself caught between two very different paths. Unsure of which one to follow, he decides to follow his heart.

Scars Serve As Reminders

Scars Serve as Reminders by Will Appiah is the third and final installment of the ‘Who Is Oliver Burke?’ trilogy. The story is the continuation of the critically acclaimed, The Angels Are Flying So Low, and brings readers through an emotional reconnection of two estranged best friends—separated by time, distance, and circumstance.
After more than three decades apart, we find two former best friends reunited in old age, both reflecting on their past and sharing stories of their lives since they were last connected. On one end is Lenny McNair who found his life derailed due to a misguided desire, poor decisions, and several negative influences—which he couldn’t seem to escape. On the other end is Oliver Burke who held anger toward Lenny because of the way his own life turned out and the feeling of abandonment he blames his friend for. As Oliver learns more about Lenny’s story, he realizes how their trials and tribulations ran parallel and uses that as his beacon towards forgiveness. During their prolonged conversation, each of them shares the compelling truths of their own perils, and heartaches, and finds themselves at the crossroads of a major decision that will affect the future of many. A decision that will give one man something to hold on to while giving the other something he needs to move on.

The Prince & Peter

Peter, an underprivileged protagonist from the village of Brockland, finds himself on a quest of life or death against a mischievous adversary. During his action-packed journey of courage, intellect, and self-development, Peter encounters a dubious dragon and makes an unlikely friend in the last place he would have thought either of them would find themselves. In this battle of wits as well as good versus evil, we discover life lessons about friendship, moral goodness, and taking a stand for what’s right. It’s a story about going against all odds to find your inner strength and using it to change the narrative. The story exemplifies the importance of education because you never know when you’ll need it to save you from a fire-breathing dragon!
Enjoy the story and numerous supporting activities at the end!

Ava Takes a Walk!

Ava Takes a Walk!
Ava loves seeing the world and sharing her experiences! Join Ava on her adventure as she takes a walk through her community. While reading, see if you can point out everything that she sees!