"Lorain, Ohio, is familiar territory to readers of Toni Morrison, but Sophfronia Scott makes it her own. All I Need to Get By is a stunning debut, a story of family and memory, and the stories we tell about both in order to "get by." The novel is equal parts profundity, humor, and grace, and its author promises to take a place among the best writers of her generation." --Henry Louis Gates, Jr., author of "America Behind the Color Line" "Sophfronia Scott's debut novel is wonderful. What is more heartwarming--and heart wrenching--than the story of a family torn apart, then woven together? Bravo!" --Soledad O'Brien, CNN "Sophfronia Scott's writing is assured and the emotions are palpable. She's a writer to watch." --Benilde Little, author of Acting Out and Good Hair "Sophfronia Scott's words bubble over with love, anger, weakness, strength and the grace note of patience. Each chapter is a road map; each character is a tree, a landmark on a road that winds towards home, in all its shuttered complexity."  --Veronica Chambers, author of Mama's Girl and Having It All? "Sophfronia Scott has written a wonderfully warm and wise portrait of family relationships, responsibilities, and going home again that mark her as a writer of depth as well as talent." --Gail Buckley, author of The Hornes: an American Family and American Patriots: the Black Military Experience from the Revolution to Desert Storm. "Finally, a new voice has arrived that can deliver an intense story and at the same time craftily develop real characters that will stick in your head long after you've read the last page. Sophfronia Scott you'll want to read for a long time to come." --Ian Smith, author of The Blackbird Papers "I can't tell you how much I enjoyed reading All I Need to Get By. It's a terrific book--beautifully written, really well-drawn characters, emotionally resonant. It's also filled with great integrity--not a false note in there. I'm really proud of you, as I'm sure all your family and friends are, and hope this is the first of many novels to come." --Susan Toepfer, former deputy managing editor, People Magazine