While his mother and father help a family of African refugees, Jared learns that the people he counts on for doing good deeds are not always praiseworthy and is faced with a decision which may have implications for all.

"In the sequel to Ways of Dying, Toloki, the professional mourner, comes to America and settles down in Athens, Ohio, where he meets an angry young man, falls in love with the man's sister, and becomes involved with a local quilting group, which provides a gateway to the past and the story of two escaped slaves seeking freedom in Ohio."--NoveList website viewed October 11, 2007.

"Even though it is summer Sadiq goes to religious school four days a week to study the Quran; he and his friends find their teacher, Mr. Kassim, strict and intimidating, but when Sadiq finds out that Mr. Kassim has a injured shoulder he decides to volunteer to help with the gardening--and he convinces his friends to volunteer as well"--Title verso page.