Suspect Red

Set in 1953, 'Suspect Red' plunges readers into the heart of the Cold War and the McCarthy era through the eyes of Richard, whose father works for the FBI. When Vlad, a boy from Czechoslovakia, moves into the neighborhood, Richard is drawn to his bold ideas about art and politics. This friendship challenges Richard's understanding of loyalty and patriotism as national paranoia spirals. The book masterfully integrates historical photos, headlines, and quotes, making a troubling chapter of American history accessible and deeply personal for young readers, prompting discussions about prejudice, justice, and the courage to stand up for one's beliefs.

It's 1953, and the United States has just executed an American couple convicted of spying for the Soviet Union. Everyone is on edge as the Cold War standoff between communism and democracy leads to the rise of Senator Joe McCarthy and his zealous hunt for people he calls subversives or communist sympathizers. Suspicion, loyalty oaths, blacklists, political profiling, hostility to foreigners, and the assumption of guilt by association divide the nation. Richard and his family believe deeply in American values and love of country, especially since Richard's father works for the FBI. Yet when a family from Czechoslovakia moves in down the street with a son Richard's age named Vlad, their bold ideas about art and politics bring everything into question. Richard is quickly drawn to Vlad's confidence, musical sensibilities, and passion for literature, which Richard shares. But as the nation's paranoia spirals out of control, Richard longs to prove himself a patriot, and blurred lines between friend and foe could lead to a betrayal that destroys lives. Punctuated with photos, news headlines, ads, and quotes from the era, this suspenseful and relatable novel by award-winning New York Times best-selling author L.M. Elliott breathes new life into a troubling chapter of our history.