Summary

Chapter 11.

Without fully understanding why, Bone decides to take a schoolmate under her wing. The girl’s name is Shannon Pearl and she is ostracized by the other students. Probably an albino, with her pale skin and pink eyes, her mother swears she was just born prematurely. Shannon is an only child. Her father books acts for the gospel circuit. Bone thinks because Shannon is so ugly on the outside, she must be beautiful on the inside.

As Bone’s friend, Shannon is insulated against insults from other students since they fear Bone and her rough and tumble cousins, Garvey and Grey. Shannon’s parents dote on her, and Bone is jealous of their relationship.

Bone begins to travel with Shannon’s family while her father looks for new talent. Through Shannon, she has a chance to hear gospel music and meet many of her...