If you come softly - Jacqueline Woodson

This is the love story of two fifteen-year-olds, a black boy and a white girl. They meet at the predominantly white Percy Academy, a private school in Manhattan. Jeremiah feels good inside his own skin in his own Brooklyn neighbourhood, but is not so sure he fits in at the Academy - until he meets Ellie that is. Their relationship develops but is not without difficulties and both families have problems they must try to overcome. Tragedy strikes as Jeremiah is shot and killed in Central Park, shot for running and not stopping when asked. He was so happy and in love that he didn't hear the police calling to him. His father had always said, "Never run in Central Park if you're a black guy."