Set against the turbulent background of America's 20th century, 'The Twelve Tribes of Hattie' chronicles the journey of Hattie Shepherd, a young woman who escapes from Georgia to Philadelphia in the wake of the Great Migration. This saga unfolds through the lives of Hattie's twelve children, each chapter a window into a tribe member's experience, painting a complex tapestry of a family's struggle with life's brutal realities. Amidst the challenges of the times, Hattie's stern love is both their armor and their curse, instilling resilience yet craving for warmth in her offspring. Ayana Mathis's debut novel is a poignant tale of hope, disappointment, strength, and the fierce power of a mother's love, standing as a stark reflection of a nation in flux.