ROSA BY ANY OTHER NAME

In 1955, a 17-year-old Arizona girl’s life is upended by the murders of her close friends.

During an era of de facto school segregation, light-skinned Mexican American Rosa Capistrano has quietly gone by “Rosie” and pretended to be white ever since enrolling in a white high school, hoping for a better chance at getting into college. Rosa dreams of becoming a writer but struggles under the chauvinistic editor of her school paper. Her worlds collide explosively when her childhood best friend, brown-skinned, Mexican American Ramón, and her best friend at school, Julianne, the white sheriff’s daughter, quickly fall in love. The pair idealistically hope to fight racism by attending a school dance together, publicly celebrating the power of love and equality. Tragically, they’re shot to death before they have the chance—and Rosa is the sole witness. Tensions run high in town as people mourn both teens, and danger threatens the people Rosa loves after the killer attempts a coverup. Rosa is drawn to Ramón’s brooding older brother, Marco, by their shared grief and desire for justice. She must also decide whether to risk everything to use her voice. The story shows the positive impact of inspirational community members who are working for a better future. Readers will be drawn into this compelling story and root for heartbroken Rosa as she struggles to find the courage to tell the truth.

Deeply moving and beautifully written.