Mississippi Trial, 1955

Reach for this book when your teenager is beginning to question the values of their elders or struggling with the discovery that people they love can hold deeply flawed or even harmful views. Set against the backdrop of the 1955 Emmett Till murder, the story follows Hiram Hillburn, a white teenager who returns to Mississippi and finds his idealized view of his grandfather shattered. It is a powerful exploration of moral courage, the weight of family legacy, and the painful process of unlearning systemic prejudice. This book is best suited for mature readers ready to engage with the harsh realities of American history and the internal conflict of standing up for what is right when it costs you your comfort. It serves as a vital bridge for discussing how personal integrity often requires challenging the status quo.