She is best known for the series of books she introduced with
The Stories Julian Tells. These stories feature Julian, a young black boy, described by
Booklist's Julie Corsaro as "energetic, engaging, and intelligent"; his brother Huey; his best friend Gloria; and his wise and loving parents. When Julian's creativity and enthusiasm lead him into trouble, his parents help him toward self-discovery, moral growth, and pride in his achievements.
Cameron once explained that The Stories Julian Tells "was inspired by some stories a friend of mine, Julian DeWette, told me about his childhood." DeWette, a South African, and his brother had once eaten a pudding his father had made as a special present for their mother. Cameron's version ends with the two boys hiding under their bed from their angry father. The story reminded Cameron that much of childhood is spent trying to fathom the rules of adults and living up to one's own developing sense of morality.
Cameron said that she has never believed in the traditional advice to writers: "write what you know." "We all know a great deal," observed the author, "which neither interests nor inspires us. Write what you care about," she advises, "and the force of your caring will lead you to questioning, imagining, learning--the opening of the heart and mind that lead to the best writing."
Because she had friends of diverse cultures and races as a child, Cameron once remarked, "I grew up with an almost instinctive conviction that people quite different from me would like me.
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