Smack dab in the Jim Crow South, Robert Stephens Jr. overcome by emotion, kicks a white boy in the knee. Defending his sister from Lyle McCormacks advances. Noting how unfair it is for white men to fornicate with black women, while black men were murdered for being perceived to covet white women. Unfortunately for Robert Jr., father Red McCormack witnessed his insolence towards the star athlete. A staunch bigot, from a line of slave owners, he boxes the 12 year olds ear and has him arrested.
Robert Jr. is sentenced to 6 months at the towns Reformatory for juvenile boys. Doesn’t matter that Lyle pushed him first, that the advances towards his sister Gloria were unwanted, or that they were parentless children. Their mother died of cancer. Their father Robert Stephens Sr. fled Florida, after being wrongfully accused of raping a white woman and attempting to unionize black workers. His junior is to be an example of, used as bait to lure his father back. Burning their house wasn’t enough, the klan wants him lynched. Despite knowing for a fact the accuser is lying.
Robert Jr.’s biggest fear heading to The Reformatory are the rumors of haints. And boys never returning home. Will the ghost drive him crazy too?
This book isn’t scary, but this little boy goes through it. Robert Jr. is put in conundrum after conundrum, in rapid succession upon entering the prison/school. I mean, he can’t catch a break from the living or the dead. Dark, dark secrets to do with the headmaster, who takes a special interest in him, start to unravel. Leaving his chances of survival slim to none as he plays chess with his life. Unforgettable plot twists, this book deals with the supernatural, race, gender, injustice, abuse and morality. Will Robert Jr. make it out alive? An anxiety inducing page turner. Via: Simon & Schuster
