I loved the characters in "Toning The Sweep" by Angela Johnson. There is Emmie, the main character. She is visiting her Grandma Ola in the California desert. She and her mom have come all the way from Alabama. Oddly, Ola's daughter, Diane, does not get along with her mother. When both of these women are in the same room, there is tension due to past emotional pain. Emmie finds no problem with Ola. She love her and likes identifying with her by wearing her hats and scarfs. She also slowly drives Ola's car out of the drive with the hood down feeling the desert wind around her. Another way for just a moment to pretend she is her Grandmother.

Soon, Emmie begins to take pictures with a camera than a camcorder. She listens and watches Ola and the aunts talk about mundane or important happenings in their lives. Emmie has a good time. She also learns a lot about life like all pain can not be cured with a bandaide. Some pain hurts so badly people take pills. She also thinks about her grandfather. Her grandfather is no longer living. This causes her to think and and talk to her friend, David, about ancestors, rituals, etc. ( )

On a trip to the desert to bring her dying grandmother home, Emily learns about the family's tragic past and gains pride as a third generation black woman. 3rd grade ( )