A parent might reach for this book when their teen is struggling to balance fitting in with staying true to their identity, especially in a new place. It's for the young reader who is beginning to notice the injustices of the world and questioning their own role in confronting them. The story follows Ruth, a Jewish teen who moves from New York to Atlanta in 1958. Desperate to belong, she hides her faith to join a popular sorority. But when a local synagogue is bombed by white supremacists, Ruth must confront the ugly prejudice in her new community and her own silence. This powerful historical novel is ideal for mature teens (14+) as it directly addresses antisemitism, racism, and the pressure to conform, making it a great conversation starter about courage and allyship.
A synagogue is bombed. The event is not graphically depicted, but the aftermath and threat are central.
Sad ThemesModerate
Deals with grief over a parent's death, hate crimes, and social ostracism.
LanguageMild
Period-appropriate racial slurs are used by characters to depict the story's setting and themes.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly and unflinchingly with antisemitism and anti-Black racism, including the use of period-appropriate slurs (the N-word) and depictions of KKK ideology. The approach is grounded in historical reality (the 1958 Atlanta Temple bombing was a real event). The protagonist's Jewish identity is central to the plot. The resolution is hopeful in that the main character finds her voice and moral courage, but it is also realistic, acknowledging that societal prejudice is not easily defeated.
Ideal Reader
A thoughtful teen, 14-17, who enjoys historical fiction that connects to modern-day issues. This is for the reader who is grappling with questions of identity, social justice, and what it means to be an ally. It’s a strong fit for a teen who feels like an outsider or is questioning the social structures and unspoken rules of their own school or community.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared to discuss the historical context of the late 1950s American South, including segregation, the Civil Rights Movement, the KKK, and antisemitism. The use of racial slurs, while historically accurate, should be noted. It would be beneficial to preview the chapters surrounding the Temple bombing to prepare for conversations about terrorism and hate crimes. A parent has noticed their teen struggling to navigate a new school or social group, perhaps by changing their behavior or hiding parts of their personality to be accepted. Or, the parent wants to start a conversation about current events involving hate crimes or prejudice and is looking for a historical lens to frame the discussion.
Age Experience
A younger teen (13-14) will likely connect most with the social pressures, the romance, and Ruth’s internal conflict about wanting to be popular. An older teen (15-18) is more likely to appreciate the complex historical context, the intersection of antisemitism and racism, and the novel’s commentary on silence, complicity, and moral courage.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many YA books about prejudice, this one focuses on a specific historical event and explores the intersectionality of antisemitism and anti-Black racism in the Jim Crow South. The protagonist's conflict is unique: she is a white girl who can “pass” and choose to hide her marginalized identity, forcing a nuanced exploration of privilege, cowardice, and the cost of silence.
Read plot summary
In 1958, after the death of her father, Jewish teen Ruth Robb moves with her mother and sister from New York City to her mother's hometown of Atlanta. To navigate the rigid social scene and find a sense of belonging, Ruth hides her Jewish identity to pledge a popular, exclusive Christian sorority and date a charming, wealthy boy. Her carefully constructed new life is shattered when a local synagogue, The Temple, is bombed by white supremacists. The event forces Ruth to confront the antisemitism and anti-Black racism of her community, question her own complicity through silence, and ultimately decide where her loyalties lie.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Ruth chooses to hide her Jewish identity to fit in. Why do you think this was so important to her in her new environment? Have you ever felt pressured to hide a part of yourself?
2
After the Temple bombing, Ruth's friend Max tells her, 'Silence is a choice.' What does he mean? Discuss the different moments in the book where characters chose silence or chose to speak up.
3
Compare the ways the book portrays antisemitism (prejudice against Jewish people) and anti-Black racism. How does the story show that these two forms of hate are connected?
4
Ruth’s boyfriend, Davis, reacts to the bombing very differently than she does. What do his words and actions reveal about his character and values? Why do you think it was so hard for him to see things from Ruth's perspective?
