Sometimes you just don’t know how you’ll digest a book written for middle schoolers when you’re in your mid-thirties, but I have to say this book was educational and intense!

This story takes place in Alabama in 1888. An Apache boy named Sky escapes a train on its way to an Indian Reservation he and his tribe were being forced onto. He becomes part of an African-American family of cotton farmers. When the town’s Knights of the Southern Order of Manhood (aka the KKK) threatens Sarah Jane’s family, they must decide whether they want to fight and keep their home or flee and start fresh. Together, they stand.

I was on the edge of my seat and crying during some of these intense scenes. A very important book for children to learn more about the Reconstruction era and compare it to today’s modern day racism. There are still so many scary parallels 136 years since this story takes place. Never stop educating your children! Oh, and stop banning/burning books.