After Daniel Musgrove's father gets transferred, the family moves from Indiana to Minor, Mississippi, a small town outside of Jackson. The year is 1973 and Mississippi has ordered the integration of blacks and whites in the school system. Daniel quickly realizes that Mississippi is a whole different world than what he was used to living in the North. On the first day of school, things go rather smoothly, considering the circumstances, and Daniel finds a friend in Tim Cousins.

The world of Minor High is tipped on its axis when Arnita Beecham, a black student, is elected as Prom Queen. Things take a bad turn that night while, on their way home, Dan and Tim see Red Martin, your typical jock/bully and the elected Prom King, harassing Arnita while she is riding her bike home. Arnita falls off her bike and Red takes off. Dan and Tim stop to offer her a ride home, but she refuses and gets back on her bike. In the ensuing turn of events, Arnita runs into the back of their car and falls off her bike again, hitting her head on the curb. The boys go to a payphone to call an ambulance and after driving by to make sure that help has arrived, they see the Red is being arrested. They decide not to tell the truth and let Red take the fall for the accident. Arnita winds up in a coma and after coming to, believes that she's white.

Out of guilt, Daniel helps Arnita's parents by doing work around their house. After she comes home from the hospital, Daniel agrees to help Arnita with her homework and they develop a close relationship.

Suddenly, Daniel’s relationship with Arnita goes sour, his father blows up the house, and it seems that Tim is up to no good and headed down a dangerous path. Daniel is faced with hard truths about life and finds that moment in time where he must turn his back on his childhood.

The author has done a terrific job of painting a picture of life in the early 70's. This is one of those rare books that, after turning the last page, leave you sitting with your jaw on the floor, not sure what to think as your thoughts are running in a hundred different directions. The more you think about the story, the more awed you become. While an intriguing story on the outside, the book takes an in-depth look at some very serious issues that are still relevant in today's world, including dysfunctional families, racism and interracial relationships, sex, homosexuality, teen angst, and violence. Time and time again, while reading the book, I found myself thinking of The Autobiography of Malcolm X and J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye.

I'm not sure what else to say about this book, except that I am blown away by the story. And believe me, it's a rare occurrence for me to be left speechless. Buy the book, that's all I can say.

--------------------

Publisher: Little, Brown (July 3, 2006)
ISBN: 0316012114
Buy the Book