Happy Land, the latest pick for Rhode Island’s Reading Across Rhode Island program, is a historical novel by bestselling author and historian Perkins-Valdez. The story follows Nikki Lovejoy-Berry, a woman nearing 40 who struggles with family estrangement and raising a surly teenager. When summoned by her imperious grandmother, Mother Rita, Nikki uncovers her family’s deep roots in a real post-Civil War community called Happy Land. Established by freed slaves on a 200-acre hilltop between North and South Carolina, Happy Land was built through hard work and resilience by Nikki’s ancestors, known as the King and Queen of Happy Land. The novel explores themes of heritage, legal battles over land ownership, and the emotional ties that bind generations. Perkins-Valdez’s meticulous research, drawn from scarce historical records, enriches the narrative with authenticity. The dual timeline structure contrasts Nikki’s present-day struggles with the pioneering efforts of her great-great-great-grandmother Luella, highlighting ongoing challenges faced by Black families in protecting their legacy. Happy Land invites readers to reflect on history, family, and the fight for belonging.