
Written by Ruth Vander Zee · Illustrated by Floyd Cooper
A boy's world shatters as he uncovers a hate crime in Depression-era Mississippi.
In Depression-era Mississippi, young James William's carefree life is shattered when he learns a local fire was a hate crime. As his friend LeRoy reveals the dark truth about the Klan, James William faces a harsh reality. An unexpected encounter forces him to confront the racial tensions tearing his community apart. Will he find the courage to challenge his assumptions and make difficult choices? This gripping tale of innocence lost invites readers to explore the complexities of prejudice and personal growth.
A powerful story about racial tensions It’s the middle of the Great Depression, but James William still enjoys his life in rural Mississippi. But his happiness starts to unravel when he discovers the fire that burned down the local preacher’s house wasn’t an accident, but a hate crime. When his friend LeRoy tells him about the Klan and their hanging tree, James William has a hard time grasping this harsh reality, until an unexpected encounter brings the issue close to home. A thought-provoking story of one boy’s loss of naiveté, Mississippi Morning will challenge young readers to question their own assumptions and confront personal decisions.
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