Suspense, Mystery, and Murder: May Book Club

“Before now, choices had always been either right or wrong,

and he’d always been able to tell the difference.”

The Other Side of Freedom by Cynthia T. Toney

Thirteen-year-old Sal has just witnessed a bank robbery gone terribly wrong, ending in murder. Threats have been made to his family. If he tells his truth, he faces death. What a way for a book to start, and this is just the beginning! Our May book club features The Other Side of Freedom by Cynthia T. Toney.

As a mom of boys, I am always on the hunt for clean books with action that will interest my boys who prefer gaming over reading. The Other Side of Freedom is a historical fiction novel that takes place in a 1925 Southern town where prejudice and racial tensions run high. Prohibition laws bring crime and injustice to Freedom, Louisiana. Sal’s Italian immigrant family works on a strawberry farm, and when some bad men show up at the farm, Sal quickly learns his father’s family has ties to the mob who have come to collect a debt. If Sal’s father helps the gang, he faces arrest. If he refuses, Sal’s life could be in danger. When Sal enlists the help of his friend, Antonina, the two set out on a journey to make things free again in Freedom. But will they be too late?

Sal faces many of the same struggles that young teens face today, including choices of right and wrong. The fast-paced narrative brings readers face to face with the struggle of whether to lie or tell the truth. Sal must face his fear and learn to overcome the prejudice against his family if he hopes to survive and save his father.

The Other Side of Freedom is a great option for fourth to sixth grade girls and boys and is sure to hold their attention. One of my boys was a hesitant reader until the media specialist at his middle school introduced him to an exciting book series, and The Other Side of Freedom can do that for your hesitant reader as well! Be sure to join our online book club discussion of this exciting read!

What was your favorite book in middle school?