Maxie, Patrice, and Emmalee have been best friends for as long as they can remember. Normally when they're together they're talking a mile a minute, but these are not normal times. As they head to the protest, fearing that riots may break out, they sit in silence. Maxie knows that these protests are important and she'll have to be brave if she wants to be a Black Panther but Patrice and Emmalee would rather be enjoying what's left of the summer. Soon Emmalee and Patrice stop going with Maxie when she volunteers at the Panther office, and when a traitor is discovered in their midst Maxie wonders if there's anyone she can trust. If you suspected someone you loved of betraying everything you believe in, what would you do?

Maxie is a strong lead and I was completely immersed in her story and eagerly flipping pages to find out what would happen next. The historical setting helped provide me with a deeper understanding of the 1960’s and the Civil Rights Movement.  The first book in this series is The Rock and the River. I recommend reading both, because they are excellent, but this novel stands well on its own so reading The Rock and the River first is not necessary. I'd give this to anyone looking for an absorbing historical fiction. Those with an interest in the civil rights movement in particular will find this an excellent read.

Fire in the Streets by Kekla Magoon

Erica's Picks
5th-8th Grade
Tags: Character-Driven, Emotional, Family Life, Friendship, Historical Fiction, Issues Fiction, People of Color

June doesn't belong. She was not meant to live in the 1980's--she was made for the Middle Ages. Sometimes, when she's alone in the forest, she pretends that she's gone back in time. She'll stalk silently in her medieval boots and pretend she's hunting for deer to feed her starving village. Finn is the only one who understands her. But soon, she will lose him. Before he dies, he's determined to paint one last portrait of June and her sister. June looks forward to these painting sessions more than anything in the world, and she thought Finn did too. Which is why she’s shocked to uncover the secret life he was hiding from her. 

I absolutely adored June! She loves pretending that she's living in another era, she feels like a naked mole rat at parties, and imagines what words would look like if they were alive. All of the characters are portrayed with a complexity that makes them completely believable. I felt like I knew these characters personally. There are so many things that I loved about this book that I can't even begin to list them all. The book is sad, as you would expect from a book about someone dying, but there is so much more to the novel than the tears.  I’d recommend this to fans of The Fault in Our Stars or anyone looking for an emotional novel with great characters.

Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt

Erica's Picks
8th Grade
Tags: Character Driven, Emotional, Issues Fiction, LGBTQ, Realistic Fiction