As an African American growing up in Mississippi in the 1940s and 1950s, Mildred Taylor's heritage became an integral part of her personal experience and of her literary creations. The long road traveled by African Americans from enslavement to freedom to gaining civil rights is the backdrop for each of her novels, which include Song of the Trees, Let the Circle Be Unbroken, and The Land. This richly detailed biography offers a revealing glimpse into the author's creative process and work habits, and provides valuable insight into the relationship between her life and her art.