About This Book
Reach for this book when your child starts noticing how 'us versus them' mentalities divide communities or when they are navigating intense peer pressure to conform to a group identity. Set against the backdrop of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, the story follows Sadie and Kevin, two teenagers on opposite sides of a bitter religious and political divide. Through their eyes, readers see how inherited prejudices fuel cycles of retaliation and how individual choices can either escalate or break those cycles. This classic novel provides a powerful entry point for discussing the complexity of conflict and the courage it takes to build a bridge across a divide. While it deals with historical violence, the core emotional themes of loyalty, fear, and emerging empathy are deeply relatable for middle schoolers. It is an ideal choice for parents who want to move beyond simple 'good vs. evil' narratives toward a more nuanced understanding of social justice and human connection.
