In Joan Steinau Lester's Black, White Other,now available in softcover, Nina never thought much about her biracial heritage until her parents divorced. Now both of Nina's parents are trying to assert their cultural identity upon her, while in her hometown of Los Angeles racial tensions flare, and Nina feels caught in the battle. Conflicted and alone, Nina turns to the story of her great-great grandmother who escaped from slavery, hoping to find wisdom and direction in her predecessor's tale.