SuitabookGuardian
Julius Lester
- Reading
- Consider reading together or checking in afterwards, especially around the death and losses. Let the reader set the pace for talking about racism and the pressures behind Ansel's choice.
- Themes
- Racism and dehumanisation: The novel concerns one group taking away the humanity of another, with Ansel's story set against racial oppression. The framing presents dehumanisation as a grave wrong, rather than a neutral feature of the setting.
- Worth knowing
- The story includes an innocent man's death and refers to lynching. Ansel also experiences loss involving a friend, family and love; these themes may invite discussion.