Spite Fences

Reach for this book when your teenager is beginning to grapple with the complexities of social injustice, systemic racism, and the personal cost of standing up for what is right. It is a powerful tool for a child who feels like an outsider or who is searching for a medium to express their observations about the world around them. Set in a segregated Georgia town in 1960, the story follows thirteen-year-old Maggie Pugh as she navigates the physical and metaphorical fences that divide her community. Through her new camera, she begins to see the truth behind the status quo, including the horrific violence used to maintain it. The novel explores intense emotional themes of courage, the loss of innocence, and the transformative power of art. While it is appropriate for mature middle schoolers and high schoolers, parents should be aware that it depicts the harsh realities of the Jim Crow South with unflinching honesty. This is a choice for parents who want to foster deep empathy and critical thinking about history and civil rights through a lens that emphasizes individual agency and moral integrity.