Chris Crowe’s novel about the Emmett Till case uses historical events to tell the story of a 14-year old black youth from Chicago who “spoke ugly” to a white woman while visiting relatives in Mississippi in the mid 1950s.

That youth, Emmett Till, was subsequently tortured and murdered. Two men were arrested and tried for the crime, but in spite of substantial evidence were found not guilty.

The story in Crowe’s book is told from the point of view of a white 16-year-old, Hiram Hillburn confronting racism in the 1950s South.

Publishers Weekly praised the author for taking a “nuanced approach to ethical dilemmas” and for his “lifelike” plotting.

Events during the course of the story force Hiram to question his willingness to stand up for his beliefs and to reevaluate his understanding of animosity between his father and grandfather.

“The characterizations are sketched with care,” the Publishers Weekly review said, “from the white lawyers who mock the black witnesses they cross-examine, to R.C., the bully whom Hiram suspects of participating in the crime, to R.C.’s sister, whom Hiram likes.”

Ms Brown’s book discussion will cover Chris Crowe’s book as well as Harper Lee’s book, both of which concern Southern life, justice, and other similar themes.

Copies of both books are available at Booth Library, as well as the libraries in Newtown’s public schools.

Sign-ups are open, but walk-ins will be welcomed on the afternoon of the program. Ms Brown encourages anyone who has read at least one of the books to attend the discussion.

The program will be in the third floor Antiques Room of the library, at 25 Main Street. Call 426-4533 for additional information.