I liked that the white girl at the center of this story set in 1961 was realistically portrayed as a child who had inherited racist views from her family. It seems like in children's historical fiction, young white American characters are somehow untainted by the culture of white supremacy that surrounds them. This story really examines how you can think you are a good person from a nice family (as Billie does) but be completely blind to what is really going on. Billie slowly wakes up to the injustice that has always surrounded her. I think this is (sadly) relevant to many young white Americans today. We might think everything is hunky-dory, but that's because we live in a bubble of privilege.

So I liked this book a lot. At the same time, I recognize that there are already too many books that center white voices in American history. So while I think this is a good book and that is has the potential to speak to young white readers where they are, it is important to boost books (especially those by African American authors) that center people of color. Do not read this without reading books by the likes of Christopher Paul Curtis, Rita Williams-Garcia, John Lewis, Carole Boston Weatherford, Andrea Davis Pinkney, Jacqueline Woodson, Kekla Magoon, and Walter Dean Myers (and others). ( )

Thirteen-year-old Billie Sims is bored by her home in Alabama, but when the Freedom Riders come to town, the civil rights movement changes her small town forever. Author’s Note

Night on Fire is a historical fiction novel that takes readers back to the Civil Rights Movement. Instead of the viewpoint from a revolutionary activist we get to see the world from a young teenager’s eyes. Billie, our main protagonist, doesn’t fully understand racism, but as she experiences small incidents in her everyday life she is starting to see the prejudice against African-Americans. She realizes its wrong, and sees the hate behind people’s actions, but doesn’t know what to do.

After a huge violent outburst in her hometown Billie really starts to question segregation and feels that everyone deserves equal rights. And in doing so she transitions from a naive to a confident person who wants to join the fight for justice and equality.

This novel gives younger readers a somewhat in-depth look at what the Freedom Riders achieved during this era as well as showing why it was so significant to the Civil Rights Movement. I also think it would make good teaching material in a classroom and will encourage readers to do more research on the entire movement.

The book also does a great job of highlighting the events from time period and condensing it in a roughly 300 page space that manages to keep the plot flowing smoothly. While it was based on actual events I felt like I was reading a story rather a history book. This novel keeps the reader engaged while also teaching them about the Civil Rights Movement at the same time. ( )

I absolutely loved this book, and will defintely consider using it in school.

I actually initially assumed this was semi-autobiographical, which is testament to Kidd's skill in creating characters and using Billie's narrative voice to bring history alive.

The comparison with To Kill a Mockingbird is perhaps too obvious because of the setting and subject matter, but I felt that Billlie's story, like that of Scout Finch, is powerful because of its perspective. Billie is a kind, curious, precocious, somewhat spoilt child whose generally idyllic childhood is interupted by tumultuous events in her society. Her response is both heroic and believable, and she would be an inspiring heroine for readers of any age.

I received an advance digital copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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I absolutely loved this book, and will defintely consider using it in school.

I actually initially assumed this was semi-autobiographical, which is testament to Kidd's skill in creating characters and using Billie's narrative voice to bring history alive.

The comparison with To Kill a Mockingbird is perhaps too obvious because of the setting and subject matter, but I felt that Billlie's story, like that of Scout Finch, is powerful because of its perspective. Billie is a kind, curious, precocious, somewhat spoilt child whose generally idyllic childhood is interupted by tumultuous events in her society. Her response is both heroic and believable, and she would be an inspiring heroine for readers of any age.

I received an advance digital copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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