92 pages 3 hours read

Kekla Magoon

The Rock and The River

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2009

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Set in 1960s Chicago during the Civil Rights era, The Rock and the River follows Samuel Childs, son of a prominent activist aligned with Dr. King, and brother to Stick, who is involved with the Black Panther Party. Sam navigates the ideological conflict between passive resistance and armed self-defense while grappling with personal dilemmas and coming-of-age challenges. The narrative includes instances of racial violence and police brutality.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

The Rock and The River by Kekla Magoon has received favorable reviews for its engaging portrayal of the civil rights movement through a young protagonist's perspective. Critics praise its historical accuracy and emotional depth, although some note occasional predictability in the plot. Overall, it is regarded as a powerful and educational read about a pivotal era.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Rock and The River?

A reader who would enjoy The Rock and The River by Kekla Magoon is likely interested in historical fiction, civil rights movements, and coming-of-age stories. Comparable to readers of Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give and Christopher Paul Curtis's The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963, they appreciate narratives rich in historical context and social justice.

RecommendedReading Age

12-18years

Lexile Level

HL550L

Book Details

Genre

Children's Literature

Realistic Fiction

Historical Fiction

Themes

Relationships: Family

Identity: Race

Life/Time: Coming of Age

Topics

History: World

Civil Rights / Jim Crow

Race / Racism