About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling to navigate intense peer pressure, political polarization, or the feeling that they must choose between being a loyal friend and a 'good' member of their community. Set in the paranoid atmosphere of the 1950s Red Scare, it follows Richard, the son of an FBI agent, who befriends a Czech immigrant named Vlad. As Senator McCarthy's hunt for subversives intensifies, Richard is torn between his patriotic duty and his genuine connection to a boy the world deems suspicious. It is a profound exploration of how fear can lead to the betrayal of those we love. Recommended for ages 12 and up, this novel is a powerful tool for discussing history, ethics, and the importance of critical thinking in the face of national anxiety.
