Shilpa's Blue Crayon

Book excerpt: Shilpa is an African American artist who paints incredible landscapes using the color blue because of its meaning and how it shows the splendor and magnificence of the world’s beauty. She is one of very few black people born with piercing ocean blue eyes. It was a curse growing up, which caused her to become introverted, shy, and lonely. Shilpa never had more than a few friends. However, they were true and loving and wanted her to open herself up to meeting someone special. Now her life has taken a turn, and Shilpa’s adoring friends find themselves in life or death trouble. Shilpa vows to protect them in any way she can. However, at times, she retreats to a dream world where she has a loving and adoring husband, beautiful children, and security. Strangely, this is an unexpected fantasy family that she never would have chosen for herself, but this dream world allows her wonderful happiness, joy, and contentment. Will Shilpa retreat forever to this world of make believe—this alternative universe, where everything seems real—or will she continue to fight for her friends in the world in which she lives?