The Rock and the River

By Kekla Magoon

Book #1 in the The Rock and the River series

A young boy must choose between family loyalty and revolutionary ideals in 1968 Chicago.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 3,616 ratings

304 pages· 59,211 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

$19.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

In 1968 Chicago, thirteen-year-old Sam is caught between his civil rights activist father and his brother, Stick, who is drawn to the Black Panthers. As Sam uncovers secrets and faces the harsh realities of racism, he must decide between peaceful change and radical action. Will he follow his father's path or join his brother in a dangerous new world? Sam's journey challenges his beliefs and tests his loyalties, forcing him to choose between the rock and the river.

From the publisher

Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award winner In this “taut, eloquent first novel” (Booklist, starred review), a young Black boy wrestles with conflicting notions of revolution and family loyalty as he becomes involved with the Black Panthers in 1968 Chicago. The Time: 1968 The Place: Chicago For thirteen-year-old Sam, it’s not easy being the son of known civil rights activist Roland Childs. Especially when his older (and best friend), Stick, begins to drift away from him for no apparent reason. And then it happens: Sam finds something that changes everything forever. Sam has always had faith in his father, but when he finds literature about the Black Panthers under Stick’s bed, he’s not sure who to believe: his father or his best friend. Suddenly, nothing feels certain anymore. Sam wants to believe that his father is right: You can effect change without using violence. But as time goes on, Sam grows weary of standing by and watching as his friends and family suffer at the hands of racism in their own community. Sam beings to explore the Panthers with Stick, but soon he’s involved in something far more serious–and more dangerous–than he could have ever predicted. Sam is faced with a difficult decision. Will he follow his father or his brother? His mind or his heart? The rock or the river?