About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is struggling to balance their personal desires with heavy family responsibilities or when they feel like their bold personality is 'too much' for the world around them. While many know Ida B. Wells as a fearless civil rights icon, this novel focuses on her formative years as a young woman in the post-Civil War South. It explores her journey through the grief of losing her parents to yellow fever, her determination to keep her siblings together, and her vibrant social life filled with romance and big dreams. It is an excellent choice for parents who want to provide their teens with a model of resilience that feels human and relatable. The story normalizes the tension between pursuing a career and seeking love, all while navigating a society that frequently attempts to silence Black women. It is a sophisticated, emotionally resonant look at identity formation that will inspire readers to find their own voice.
