Definitely a book that was written to convey an Important Message for Teenagers. Set in a world that is very like our own, except that in this version, black individuals are in charge (Crosses), and white people (Noughts) are fighting for their civil rights - often through methods that become terrorism.
A Cross girl and the son of her family's maid, a Nought, friends from childhood, grow up and fall in love. But can they overcome their society's prejudices to be together?
Blackman does an excellent job of portraying not only the external forces ranged against her characters, but the emotional and psychological toll that racism takes - from people on both sides of the equation. She doesn't shy away from the portrayal of harsh realities and likelihoods, either.
However, stylistically, this is still definitely a 'teen' novel.
Also, except for the reversal of skin tones, there isn't really anything else in the plot that puts this book into the realm of speculative fiction - Blackman isn't really writing an 'alternative' history - she's writing about our world.
A Cross girl and the son of her family's maid, a Nought, friends from childhood, grow up and fall in love. But can they overcome their society's prejudices to be together?
Blackman does an excellent job of portraying not only the external forces ranged against her characters, but the emotional and psychological toll that racism takes - from people on both sides of the equation. She doesn't shy away from the portrayal of harsh realities and likelihoods, either.
However, stylistically, this is still definitely a 'teen' novel.
Also, except for the reversal of skin tones, there isn't really anything else in the plot that puts this book into the realm of speculative fiction - Blackman isn't really writing an 'alternative' history - she's writing about our world.
