Mississippi Trial, 1955 by Chris Crowe

I have to admit that I read this book a while back and am just getting around to reviewing it - I have a whole slew of posts that are drafts and I am really trying to catch up on reviewing what I have already read!

About the Book:

At first Hiram is excited to visit his hometown in Mississippi. But soon after he arrives, he crosses paths with Emmett Till, a black teenager from Chicago who is also visiting for the summer, and Hiram sees firsthand how the local whites mistreat blacks who refuse to "know their place." When Emmett's tortured dead body is found floating in a river, Hiram is determined to find out who could do such a thing. But what will it cost him to know? Mississippi Trial, 1955 is a gripping read, based on true events that helped spark the Civil Rights Movement.

About the Author:

Chris Crowe, a professor of English at Brigham Young University, has published award-winning fiction and nonfiction for teenagers, poetry, essays, books, and many articles for academic and popular magazines.  He married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth, and they are the parents of four children and grandparents of two beautiful granddaughters.  They live in Provo, Utah.

My Thoughts:

The description states that this is a gripping read and that is absolutely accurate!  Wow...I am glad I waited to review it for a little while because you really do need time to digest and reflect on this one.

The characters are realistic, the plot is captivating, the setting one that we all can see easily.  While Hiram's character is fictional others are real and the story vividly portrays what life must have been like during the time of Jim Crowe and how very much change was needed.  Hiram is faced with some tough situations and decisions but his character is one of strength and perseverance.  I love that he is a character of growth and evolution and it is a neat experience as a reader to follow along on his journey.

This book is gripping, educational, important and a great read for middle school aged children.  I would highly recommend this one to parents, teachers and students!