Blake Allmendinger is a professor of English at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is the author of Imagining the African American West (Nebraska, 2005) and other books. His work on western writers and literature has been featured in the Los Angeles Times.

“The Melon Capital of the World is a very important book. . . . Allmendinger’s voice is unique and profound, making an excellent read.”-Margaret Randall, author of More Than Things“This story provides a therapeutic framework for envisioning hope in dark moments as well as being very connectable, readable, and enjoyable. . . . It’s a fun and provocative ride.”-Mark Spitzer, author of Season of the Gar

• List of Illustrations    1. The Melon Capital of the World    2. TJ Is a Wonderful Boy    3. I Met a Traveler from an Antique Land    4. Bad Day for a Black Brother    5. Remember Me    6. A Bump in the Road    7. The Diary

Blake Allmendinger is a professor of English at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is the author of Imagining the African American West (Nebraska, 2005) and other books. His work on western writers and literature has been featured in the Los Angeles Times.

“The Melon Capital of the World is a very important book. . . . Allmendinger’s voice is unique and profound, making an excellent read.”-Margaret Randall, author of More Than Things“This story provides a therapeutic framework for envisioning hope in dark moments as well as being very connectable, readable, and enjoyable. . . . It’s a fun and provocative ride.”-Mark Spitzer, author of Season of the Gar

• List of Illustrations    1. The Melon Capital of the World    2. TJ Is a Wonderful Boy    3. I Met a Traveler from an Antique Land    4. Bad Day for a Black Brother    5. Remember Me    6. A Bump in the Road    7. The Diary

Blake Allmendinger is a professor of English at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is the author of Imagining the African American West (Nebraska, 2005) and other books. His work on western writers and literature has been featured in the Los Angeles Times.

“The Melon Capital of the World is a very important book. . . . Allmendinger’s voice is unique and profound, making an excellent read.”-Margaret Randall, author of More Than Things“This story provides a therapeutic framework for envisioning hope in dark moments as well as being very connectable, readable, and enjoyable. . . . It’s a fun and provocative ride.”-Mark Spitzer, author of Season of the Gar

• List of Illustrations    1. The Melon Capital of the World    2. TJ Is a Wonderful Boy    3. I Met a Traveler from an Antique Land    4. Bad Day for a Black Brother    5. Remember Me    6. A Bump in the Road    7. The Diary