Hello World, Here Comes ClaraBy Rose: An Adolescent Black Girl Coming of Age

“Faces Behind The Dust” changes are coming to this coal mining community. Now that ClaraBy's father has retired from the mines, she and her family are preparing to move out of the hollow. ClaraBy-who is wrestling with the aches and pains of being a teenage girl-is beside herself with joy at the possibility of a new beginning, even though a big part of her wants to stay in the hollow she loves so much. But ClaraBy knows life is knocking at her door and she intends to live it to the fullest.

ClaraBy is thrilled when her brother, Junior, surprises the family on a break from the army. After he enlightens her with stories of racism and gives her a heartfelt big brother talk, he returns to serving his country and ClaraBy and her family move away. But it is only after she comes back to visit that she begins to reminisce with the only friend left in the hollow, soon revealing not only unforgettable memories, but also unresolved issues from the past.

Hello World, Here Comes ClaraBy Rose is the tale of a black teenage girl as she matures into a beautiful young woman determined to protect her innocence amid the lures of an uncertain world.