Overview

It is 1950, and 15-year-old Kate Dinsmore wants to become a journalist. But, her tobacco-farming father can't afford to send her to college. She devises a plan to move from rural North Carolina to her wealthy grandparents' home in Charlotte in hopes of gaining their financial support. Now she has a new set of problems. How can she please her society-conscious grandmother and conform to her new classmates' lifestyles? She meets Lillian, her grandmother's teenage maid, and in spite of their racial differences, they form a tentative friendship. While exploring her grandmother's attic, Kate unearths a secret that rocks her world and Lillian's too. The shocking discovery reveals half-truths that threaten the girls' friendship. What will Kate do when she must choose between Lillian and her new society friends? Through a mentorship with a newspaper editor, Kate realizes that journalism requires honesty. But, the risks of truth-telling make Kate question herself. If she reveals what she has learned, what price will she pay? ⚠ Content Rating for Half-Truths - Young Adult Half-Truths is a historical fiction novel for young adult readers (13+), set in the 1950s American South. It contains themes that reflect the realities of the time period, including: Racial discrimination and segregation - Includes historically accurate language and depictions of segregation. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) and racial violence - References to the KKK's presence, intimidation, and racial injustice. Historical language - The terms colored and Negro are used within the story to maintain historical accuracy. Themes of prejudice and injustice - Explores societal norms and the impact of racism in the 1950s. Mention of a slave having a child by a slave owner - This is an integral part of the generational trauma explored in the book. This book is written with sensitivity and historical accuracy, aiming to encourage critical thinking, empathy, and discussions about past and present social issues. Recommended for ages 13 and up.

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9781957656854

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""Baldwin has a clear, elegant style, and the characters have great voices. I really like the time and setting too--it's something that's not covered in a lot of upper middle-grade/YA books that I've seen. Part history mystery, part coming of age story, Half-Truths is full-on great!""- Alan Gratz, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Refugee and Heroes ""An entertaining, enlightening, and satisfying story. Teens will connect with Katie immediately and root for her triumph."" Deborah Halverson, Editor, and author of Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies and Writing New Adult Fiction. ""The characters are very believable with a minimum of description-just enough to paint the picture, but not too much so that our own imaginations are stifled. I've had relatives like Papaw, really cringe-worthy. Rooting for Katie right from the start. And loved the dog and the goat!"" Nancy Sutin, JD ""Half-Truths is a good learning tool that is suitable for all ages. It is educational, encouraging, and entertaining. It is educational in that it shows what life was like before civil rights. Also, Kate and Lillian learned from each other and grew as individuals because they were exposed to each other. The two characters learned about the differences and similarities in their families. Kate learned that Blacks had expensive-looking china just like Whites. It didn't have to be stolen for someone to have it. Although they came from different parts of North Carolina and were different in race and color, they had similar visions and both strived for the same goal-to get an education-which is important for Blacks and Whites. Teachers can use Half-Truths to encourage students to keep their eyes on their goals in order to obtain success. The book also shows the entertainment during the time period. Both Blacks and Whites participated in luncheons, card games, and social activities. Half-Truths can also be used for teaching and testing the students to see if they learned anything."" Vermelle Diamond Ely grew up in the Brooklyn neighborhood in Charlotte, attended Myers Street Elementary, and graduated from Second Ward High School in 1949. She graduated from Shaw University in 1953 and did graduate work at NYU in education. She returned to Charlotte and taught first grade for 32 years. She has been the historian of the Second Ward Foundation for 40+ years. Now in her 90's, people still call her with questions. ""Half-Truths is filled with vivid descriptions and similes, colorful age-appropriate language and relevant themes."" Rosebud A. Turner, author Rosebudturner.com rosebudturner@gmail.com ""HALF-TRUTHS rings true to the history of coming-of-age in the South in the early 1950s. Charlotte-area readers will recognize real-world people and places - NAACP leader Kelly Alexander, and the beloved lakeside paths at Freedom Park. But you don't have to be from Charlotte to be pulled into the story of a young girl's awakening to the realities of race."" - Charlotte historian Tom Hanchett, www.HistorySouth.org

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