The Reckoning

Hudson (Defiant) takes a microscope to the complicated role that protests and video evidence play in investigating and acquiring justice for the murder of Black Americans in this straightforwardly told tale. Black middle schooler Lamar Philips dreams of becoming a famous filmmaker like his idol, Spike Lee. Inspired by his grandfather's stories about participating in the civil rights movement, Lamar endeavors to make a documentary about Gramps's life; he also digs into the Black history of his Morton, La., hometown, and becomes interested in the contemporary machinations of Morton's leadership. But before Lamar can start working on the film, Gramps is killed in a shooting. The perpetrator, a white man who was once the head of the local KKK, claims self-defense, setting off a series of protests demanding justice and that the local authorities conduct a full investigation. While the movement builds steam, it sheds light on Morton citizens' latent racism. Hudson utilizes an evenly paced story line and clear-eyed narration to explore systemic prejudice through the lens of a young Black filmmaker grieving the death of an inspiring loved one, resulting in a multilayered depiction of segregation and contemporary racism in America. Ages 8-12. (Jan.)

Gr 3-7--In our current age of book bans and lesson censorship, this novel has plenty of material to reckon with. Set in small-town Louisiana, it follows aspiring teenage filmmaker Lamar Phillips, Jr., as he begins filming a documentary about his trailblazing grandfather. Sadly, unexpected violence leads Lamar's project in a different direction. Hudson's text sets out to boldly counterpoint beliefs that the past is stale news or too upsetting for children to learn. In that, it succeeds as a straightforward primer on Black history and racism in a town that's allegedly beyond segregation. The book shines when that purpose is made clear; when it takes on young Black kids who need their history, or points out the inequality of civic resources, or the injustice of undeserved murder. Its strength, and perhaps greatest weakness, is in its instructive tone. Every character--from the town mayor to the protagonist's goofy best friend--speaks in the same didactic way. The ideas are shared with passion and conviction, and it presents activism essentials in an accessible way. But the characters exist to serve those ideas, which get clunky at times. It's a strong intellectual experience without much emotional heft beyond how naturally difficult these topics are. It's a basic introduction to complicated concepts of political machines and culture wars. VERDICT The power of Black history and activism told simply; a good start for struggling middle grade readers just introduced to American history.--Cat McCarrey