Opening in Tampa, Florida, in the fall of 1980, Clementine Camille is the story of a young African-American girl who at age fifteen falls in love with a young Caucasian- American boy, Tyler Raymond. After Tyler grows up to become an accomplished historian, he decides to write a first-person account of his life with Clementine as his affectionate tribute to the girl and then woman and wife he continues to adore. Central to his portrayal is his account of the ways Clementine and Tyler must face the hard facts of American racism when it manifests itself in subtle aside comments made by strangers as well as emotional confrontations with angry individuals who would wish the young couple serious harm. As a part of his attempt to express Clementine's extraordinary person, Tyler's narration also demonstrates the profound and enduring significance of the wise and sensitive adult family members who stand by their children through every trial and tribulation as affectionately as they do every success and triumph. Thus, Clementine Camille: An American Romance is just that: a joyful and steadfast if at times difficult romance that very likely would not and could not happen anywhere else in the world except the United States.