this was such a beautiful book, i got so involved that i almost forgot i was looking at a book for young generation.i think it could really work for the age group its aimed at though. they are so clever,so interested at that age. they are also in their own way going through these friendship choices,changes and difficulties. and yes even related to race in our society as it is. but at that age it is also about whos different,whos fitting in and all that confusing within yourself and others. this book both help you see a bigger picture and also shows you the meaning of love, support and true friendship.
it also gave me at my old age some really unknown insight and i wanted to know more so indeed did go to research more afterwards.
the cover of this book also deserves a shout out. it meant so much and i felt it with my whole heart throughout the read that this cover had it all their in that image.
i think this books could've been one of those books that i,as a lover of books even at that age would have cherished forever. you know the ones you keep with you and still remember from those days.
Trudy's story took me right into her world. she is living in the time of racial tension. something that will effect her life greatly. junior high feels tough enough as it is for Trudy. not only that but her mother is playing vital roles in societies movements at the time.
all Trudy really wants though is a horse(haha of course). that is until her world starts opening up, or her eyes do. the place America is in at the time effects her life greatly. and you will fall all the more in love with this young girl as she goes along. you stand for her and with her every step of the way. she doesn't always get it right bless her but you can see this whole goodness in this little soul.
she makes you want to believe. she makes you want to love more, judge less, and give a hand out to those you can.
in society as it currently is this books also couldn't carry more weight and importance.

Y'all! What a story!
I just finished this wonderful novel about the Civil rights movement and segregation.
I thought it was wrong in how they treated people. But yet, at the same time very interesting. I simply couldn't put this book down. I hated to see it end
Trusy is a wonderful character to get to know. I felt like she was me in certain places In this book. Poor girl but I loved how her and her mom took and for what they believed in and stuck with it.
I loved that it was told from Trudy's point of view which is why I really connected with her. I felt like her and Latrella became my friends.
Such a good book! Wonderful characters and a cool storyline that had me turning the pages.
A middle grade novel like this only comes along once in a great while which is why I took my time with it.
5 stars for a job well done. I was spellbound through the entire story.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Fantastic book about the fight for racial equality during the Civil Rights era. At times, the historical facts felt a little heavy-handed, but overall the story felt like an accurate portrayal of the time period. I appreciated the main character's emotional turmoil over starting junior high while at the same time balancing secret friendships and understanding her mother's role in civil rights. Overall, this is a great book for middle school readers interested in this time period.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. I really enjoyed it and although it is fiction there are a lot of historical details that taught me things I didn’t know before reading it. I will be recommending this book.

Wow. If this book had existed when I was a kid, I would have read and re-read it until it wore out.
Trudy has lived in Jackson, Mississippi her entire life. She has always felt comfortable and safe, living where everyone knows just about everybody else. But the year she turns twelve, many things begin to change. It’s the early 1960’s, and suddenly articles about desegregation, Freedom Riders, and Negroes wanting equal rights are front and center in the newspapers. Trudy’s mother gets involved with the civil rights workers, which is an affront to many. Even her aunt and cousin Sarah Jane become distant and annoyed. When telephone threats, fires, and explosions occur that threaten the safety of Trudy’s family and friends, all she can think is, “Why can’t everyone just get along?”…
Wonderful historical fiction! This book would be a great for teaching about the Civil Rights Movement of the ‘50’s and 60’s to middle-grade readers.
The nostalgic feel of the novel was something I really enjoyed! Ten-year-old inner Stephanie would have wanted to be friends with Trudy; a fellow avid reader of Marguerite Henry’s horse books, someone who would go see “The Parent Trap” on her birthday, and whose favorite dessert was butterscotch pie!
I was very impressed with the author’s notes at the end, complete with photographs from her own childhood that the story was taken from. And pleasantly surprised to find that five of the books on the list of those that would interest young readers were some of my own favorites!
Definitely purchasing a print copy for re-reading!

*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*