The Everlasting Now by Sara Harrell Banks

Banks, Sara Harrell, The Everlasting Now, The Everlasting Now. Peachtree Publishers, 2010. Pgs. 157. Language: G, Violence: G, Sexual Content: G.

James “Brother” Longstreet Sayre has a pretty good life despite the Great Depression. Still missing his father two years after his father was killed in a union struggle, James longs for a fatherly or friendly male figure in his life that he can look up to. His mother’s run-down boardinghouse has many travelers and a group of railroad workers that are like substitute fathers for him. When Champion Always Luckey, a boy his own age, shows up in town to live with his aunt, who works for Brother’s family, the two strike up a friendship. The bullying Sheriff in town causes them lots of problems, however, and chooses to harass Always Luckey and make his friendship with James hard to maintain. This causes James to discover too young what race and power can mean in a small town. Will James remain friends with Always Luckey and still keep the sheriff at bay or will prejudice win?

A story with lots of action, but the plot’s credibility wanes towards the end. The story, however, seems well-researched and the characters seem believable. Readers who like historical fiction will enjoy reading this book. EL(4-6). OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, HUN Public Library.