The Time: 1968
The Place: Chicago
For thirteen-year-old Sam it's not easy being the son of known civil rights activist Roland Childs. Especially when his older (and best friend), Stick, begins to drift away from him for no apparent reason. And then it happens: Sam finds something that changes everything forever.
Sam has always had faith in his father, but when he finds literature about the Black Panthers under Stick's bed, he's not sure who to believe: his father or his best friend. Suddenly, nothing feels certain anymore.
Sam wants to believe that his father is right: You can effect change without using violence. But as time goes on, Sam grows weary of standing by and watching as his friends and family suffer at the hands of racism in their own community. Sam beings to explore the Panthers with Stick, but soon he's involved in something far more serious-and more dangerous-than he could have ever predicted. Sam is faced with a difficult decision. Will he follow his father or his brother? His mind or his heart? The rock or the river?
This book has been graded for interest at 9-14 years.
There are 304 pages in this book. This book was published 2009 by Simon & Schuster .
Kekla Magoon has worked with youth-serving nonprofit organizations in New York City and Chicago. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and resides in New York City. Visit her at KeklaMagoon. com.
This book is in the following series:
This book has been nominated for the following awards:
Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books For Children and Teens
This book was recognised in the Ages 14+ category by the Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens.
Georgia Children's Book Award
This book was recognised by the Georgia Children's Book Award.
Grand Canyon Reader Award
This book was recognised in the Tween category by the Grand Canyon Reader Award.
Black-Eyed Susan Award
This book was recognised in the High School category by the Black-Eyed Susan Award.
Virginia Readers Choice Award
This book was recognised in the Middle School category by the Virginia Readers Choice Award.
Nutmeg Book Award
This book was recognised in the Teen category by the Nutmeg Book Award.
Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award
This book was recognised by the Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award.
Tayshas Reading
This book was recognised by the Tayshas Reading.
Coretta Scott King Award
This book was recognised in the New Talent category by the Coretta Scott King Award. Presented annually since 1970 by the American Library Association to books by African-America authors and illustrators, this award recognizes excellence in promoting a deeper understanding of the African-American Experience.
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award
This book was recognised by the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award.
