EQUAL

In 1959, a North Carolina teen is caught up in the social changes of the times.

Eighth grader Jackie Honeycutt is coping with issues in his family and his community. The television is full of news about the sometimes-violent resistance to efforts to desegregate schools. In his still-all-White school, Jackie faces a bully. Further, his college-student sister is becoming involved in civil rights issues, bringing those concerns closer to home, although his parents are more interested in avoiding trouble. Jackie takes refuge in preparing his cow for the local fair and dreaming of winning a prize. Through it all, he has developed a friendship with Thomas, an African American teen he met at the local fishing spot—but it does not take long before the gulf between them is evident. Jackie ultimately realizes his own role in a hurtful incident involving Thomas and needs to decide how to make amends. Jackie is an earnest young person trying to make sense of the world around him, encouraged by a perceptive teacher. This depiction of racial struggles as seen through the lens of the White community has a dense narrative that is well crafted but takes a gentle tone about a time that is anything but gentle. The author’s note provides information about actual events, including the racial terminology used at the time.

A look back at a complex era that continues to resonate in today’s world.