I thought this book was excellent and would be a great way to start conversations in classroom or book discussion groups about right and wrong and growing up in environments that teach racism and prejudice.

SPOILER:

What I liked most about this book was that Shad never really decides what he thinks about the KKK. He takes the appropriate measures to ensure that Rachel and the students are safe, but he doesn't decide to leave the brotherhood and he doesn't make any move towards establishing a relationship with Rachel - he makes sure to keep up appearances.

The author does such a good job of portraying the KKK through to eyes of a poor, white southern teen who doesn't know any better and has a lot of reasons to see the KKK as comforting and good. The way that Shad's emotions are described as flip flopping depending on the situation is extremely relatable.

Really great book.