A Guest of Honor (1990) fay Nadine Gordimer. An idealistic colonel's discovery of corruption among the leaders of a newly independent African nation results in his assassination.

"Children of the Sea," (1993) by Edwidge Danticat. A young couple are separated by a dictatorial regime in Haiti, forcing the young man to make a dangerous boat crossing to the United States.

"Vengeful Creditor" (1971) by Chinua Achebe. A story about a wealthy Nigerian's brush with free public education, which makes it difficult for her to find suitable servants to care for her children.

"Blues Ain't No Mocking Bird" (1972) by Toni Cade Bambara. A poor, African-American family is approached by a crew of filmmakers who want to shoot footage of their modest home for their project on the government food stamp program.

"Everyday Use" (1973) by Alice Walker. An African-American family's successful, college-educated daughter wants possession...