Jackson, Linda Williams. Midnight Without a Moon.

Jackson, Linda Williams.  Midnight Without a Moon.  Houghton Mifflin/Harcourt Brace 2017  312p  $16.99  ISBN 978-0-544-78510-6     Hardback    elem/ms Historical fiction  E-BN

In 1955 Mississippi, thirteen-year-old Rose Lee Carter struggles to understand the complacency of her grandparents’ attitude towards slavery. When a fourteen-year-old African American boy is murdered for supposedly whistling at a white woman one town over, the white suspects are set free despite the overwhelming evidence against them.  Throughout her contemplation of her feelings about slavery and this recent event, she is exposed to bits of information about the Civil Rights movement. She has many confusing feelings as she decides whether to leave the South or join the Civil Rights movement to change it.

This amazing, well-written novel is engaging and very informative. Young readers will become enlightened regarding civil rights, slavery, attitudes, the culture, and family life experienced during the time period of the 1950’s. The plot accurately depicts events and emotions. Furthermore, the vernacular tone adds authenticity to the story. This is a must-read for upper-elementary and middle-school readers because it educates in a sensitive but effective manner.
           

This book is highly recommended as an “Excellent Book of Note” for any elementary or middle-school library because of its accurate and engaging portrayal of history.    

Summary: In 1955 Mississippi, Rose Lee Carter struggles to understand the complacency of her grandparents’ attitude towards slavery and is confused in deciding if she should leave the South or join the Civil Rights movement to change it.

Civil Rights movement-Fiction                         —Virginia McGarvey

Arntson, Steven. The Trap.

Arntson, Steven.  The Trap.  Houghton Mifflin/Harcourt Brace  2015      247p  $16.99  ISBN 978-0-547-82408-6  ms/hs  Fantasy  VG-BN     

The day before the start of the school year in their new junior high school, twins Henry and Helen, along with best friends Nicki and Alan, decide to see what the town bully, Carl, has hidden in the woods.  Carl happens to be Alan’s brother, and when Carl discovers what the friends have been up to, he blackens Henry’s eye.  Carl then goes missing.  What they find in Carl’s hide-out are some interesting books, and Henry puts them in his rucksack.  He is particularly interested in the book he finds on the bottom of the pile, Subtle Travel and the Subtle Self.  He follows the directions in the book and finds himself in a new realm of existence.  The next day, he shares this with his sister and friends, and it leads them on a dangerous and adventuresome journey, as they realize this is the key to finding Carl.

This well-written, fast-paced novel is set in 1963 Iowa and touches on the civil-rights issues of the time. The themes of prejudice, the low job market, and the differences among people regarding race are carefully woven through the plot, and the story addresses the importance of treating people as human beings, rather than discriminating based on racial or other differences.  The author has mastered thoughtful writing and the art of storytelling, and the reader will notice this as he or she “hears” the narration of these junior-high students.
    

The fantasy in this story almost feels realistic, as the true concepts of Fibonacci and the “subtle self” play out in the plot, leaving the reader to ask, “What if?”  This book demands discussion, and young readers will be engaged and delighted with the adventure.  The Trap deserves recognition as a “Book of Note.”
     

Summary: Set in 1963 Iowa, twins Henry and Helen and best friends Nicki and Alan find their “subtle selves” and a new dimension of existence when they search for Carl, the town bully and Alan’s brother, and they discover a curious book among his things.            

Fantasy-Fiction, Civil rights-Fiction                       --Virginia McGarvey

Revolution. (The Sixties trilogy, book two)

Wiles, Deborah.  Revolution.  (The Sixties trilogy, book two)     Scholastic Press  2014  $19.99  ISBN 978-0-545-10607-8      ms/hs   Historical fiction  VG-BN  

Sunny Fairchild and her older stepbrother Gillette sneak into the municipal pool in Greenwood, Mississippi, for a forbidden nighttime swim.  Sunny is alarmed when they discover Raymond Bullis, a black teen, who has the same idea.  That summer, the three come of age in a time of turbulence and change that will eventually be known as Freedom Summer.

Sunny is happy with the status quo but now must deal with her father’s new wife and family, Gillette and Audrey.  Resistant to change, Sunny is constantly fighting her stepmother’s motherly overtures.  Raymond wants immediate change, with parity for all.  When change doesn’t happen fast enough, he takes matters into his own hands, bringing down the wrath of Deputy Davis. 

To lend even more authenticity to the narrative, Wiles incorporates many archival photographs, pamphlets, posters, snatches of speeches, song lyrics and short biographies of Civil Rights leaders.  But it is seeing how the other half lives through the characters’ eyes that really brings history to life.  Raymond lives on the wrong side of the tracks and his home has no indoor plumbing or electricity.  There is no proper school for him.  Life is overshadowed by the threats of violence or the loss of income or a job.  It is an eye-opening experience for Sunny and the reader.

Revolution is an excellent addition to the study of the Civil Rights movement.  Author Deborah Wiles has done her research, and even makes it available for student use via Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/debbiewiles/).  

Summary: When Sunny and her stepbrother are caught sneaking into the local swimming pool, they bump into a mystery boy whose life is going to become tangled up in theirs.  

Civil Rights-Fiction                                  --Hilary Welliver