Young Lamar is in middle school and can’t wait to start making movies like his idol, Spike Lee. Grandpa has even gifted him a camcorder that will create something special much better than phones.

Spending time with Gramps is great as he tells stories of Black history and his own activism in the small town of Morton, Louisiana. Lamar starts to envision making a documentary about Grandpa’s life.

That dream is shattered when Grandpa is killed in a traffic altercation. The white man who did the shooting claims self defense, but Lamar, his family, and others in the community think otherwise. Unfortunately there were no witnesses to the shooting.

Organized protests follow (thanks in part to Lamar’s older sister) and doing so divides the town even more. Lamar films everything he can while keeping his plan to complete the documentary.

The third person narration stays close to Lamar the entire way. It’s a reminder we still have a long way to go with the differing treatment of blacks and whites. Old stereotypes take a long time to go away.

I was hoping Lamar’s film would bring justice to the shooting, but instead the plot has Lamar learning about the past and what he’ll do to follow in Gramp’s footsteps. An accomplished goal for sure, and the film would be an engaging one to watch from a young person’s viewpoint.

THE RECKONING is about family, the truth, and always being better. Perfect messages for the intended middle grade reader.

PAGE COUNT: 256 BOOK BIRTHDAY: 1/2/24

CONNECT WITH WADE HUDSON via his Facebook page and/or through JUST US BOOKS. the publishing company Wade and his wife developed 35 years ago.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It’s almost time for another Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. Won’t you join us? It’s here I share highlights from other individuals blogging about middle grade books. Many of the posts will have reviews, interviews, and tips on writing. Take a look at PAST MMGM POSTS.

It’s easy to get a spot in the lineup. All you have to do is email me the title of the book or feature and a link to your blog at gpcolo[at]gmail[dot]com

Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so it gets sorted accurately–and don’t forget to say what you’re featuring) You MUST email me your link by Sunday evening (11 PM Eastern Time) in order to be included in the list of links for the coming Monday.

*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen reviews ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me.