The Reckoning by Wade Hudson

The Reckoning by Wade Hudson. Crown Books for Young Readers, 2024. 9780593647776






Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4



Format : Realistic fiction



What did you like about the book:   Lamar, a young Black boy living in a small town in Louisiana, wants to be a filmmaker when he grows up and is always carrying his camcorder around, on the lookout for good content. His grandfather, a former civil rights activist, brings Lamar along to city council meetings to begin teaching him about civic action and the importance of holding elected officials accountable. He also teaches Lamar about Black history and the ways Black people have been agitators and always resisted throughout history. Lamar decides the best possible subject for his future film should be his grandfather, a real life hero in the Black community. Then the unthinkable happens: Lamar’s Gramps is shot after a fender bender with a white man who claims self defense. Lamar’s family and friends know this is a lie and they spring to Gramps’ defense with protests, press conferences, and investigating the incident themselves when the white police department refuses to do so. Lamar is devastated, but determined to document the experience and defend his grandfather’s legacy.



This powerful novel is a testament to the power of activism and agency. The setting is richly described – readers will feel transported to the small segregated town in Louisiana. Lamar’s friendships, school, and church life feel realistic and authentic. Overall, this novel is an excellent introduction to systemic racism for younger readers. 



Anything you didn’t like about it? The dialogue is occasionally stilted and choppy and the text is sometimes didactic in the conversations between Lamar and Gramps. The very beginning of the book drags a little bit, but the action picks up considerably after the exposition and then the book flies by. 



To whom would you recommend this book?  Perfect for students who aren’t quite ready for The Hate U Give or All American Boys , but want to read about race-related violence and activism. 



Who should buy this book?   Most elementary and middle school libraries 



Where would you shelve it ?  Realistic fiction



Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No



Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Laura Gardner, Dartmouth Middle School, Dartmouth, MA



Date of review:  February 5, 2024