Witness

Reach for this book when your child begins asking difficult questions about why people hate those who are different or when they are struggling to understand how a whole community can be influenced by prejudice. It is an essential choice for middle schoolers ready to move beyond simple good versus evil narratives to explore the messy reality of social pressure and moral courage. Through a series of poems, the story follows two young girls, one Black and one Jewish, living in a 1920s Vermont town as the Ku Klux Klan attempts to take root. The book explores themes of justice, fear, and the power of individual voices. It is a sophisticated yet accessible look at history that emphasizes how empathy and standing up for neighbors can combat systemic hate. It serves as a powerful bridge for conversations about modern social justice and the importance of being an active witness to history.