Written by Wade Hudson
This is a very good book. Lamar is spending a lot of time with his grandpa lately. Grandpa is active in the community concerning the rights of people of color. He is a loving man and well respected in the community. (Although he can be a pain in the mayor’s side.) Lamar is going to make a biography of his grandpa for school. Lamar loves everything having to do with movies and wants to make movies like his hero Spike Lee. One day at school, he gets called to the office to go home and finds out that his grandpa has been killed. The police have closed the case and no one who knows Grandpa can believe that he attacked someone. Lamar, his sister Kyra, Mom, Dad and the community start protesting his death and the lack of evidence. Someone mysteriously sends Lamar a video of what really happened. His grandpa did not attack anyone and was murdered. The crime scene was staged to make the murder look like self-defense. The person who witnessed the murder was terrified to tell the truth because he would then be the next victim. In the end, the witness testifies to the murder and the murderer is arrested. Although this is an excellent book for junior high or high school, I believe it is way too much for grade school. I only say that because the suggested levels from the publisher are 3rd grade through 7th. Loved this book.
Reviewed by Christie Haslam, Librarian, Gearld Wright Elementary
Review shared in March 2024
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 7-12
The Reckoning
Written by Wade Hudson, Illustrated by
Crown Books for Young Readers
243 pages
Release Date: January 2, 2024
ISBN: 9780593647776
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
