This is a beautiful
interweaving story of present day wealthy teenager named Rowan and 1921 wealthy
teenager named William. Rowan discovers the body of a century old murder in her
backyard. Along with her friend James, they spend the summer solving the
mysteries of the past, and uncover not just the murderer, but what really
happened in the Tulsa Race Riot. In 1921, William is working in his father’s
shop in a time of Jim Crow segregation laws. William comes to know two African
Americans, Joseph and Ruby. As he is forming those friendships, Vernon Fish
keeps trying to recruit William to the KKK. On the night of the Tulsa Race
Riot, William is forced to make decisions on the night that Tulsa burns.
This is a true coming of age story that has the characters
discover who they really are, and how they will react to social and racial
injustice. The writing is beautiful. The plot is lively, and moves at a good
pace. The author gives you enough clues about the mystery to keep you
interested and guessing at who is the skeleton. The author does a great job of
weaving past and present into a seamless story. The characters show the way
that racial and social injustice can be overcome. I love how Rowan and William,
each in their own way, are challenged in their beliefs, and stand up for what
is right.
HS - ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: RK
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