Books like Fire in the streets by Kekla Magoon
Set in Chicago after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in 1968, *Fire in the Streets* follows fourteen‑year‑old Maxie as she yearns to join the Black Panther Party. Her path is complicated by her brother Raheem, her ex‑boyfriend Sam, and the support of her friends. As the city erupts in anti‑war and civil‑rights protests, Maxie is drawn into the turbulent reality of a nation striving for justice. The novel chronicles her coming‑of‑age experience amid the social movements shaping the era.
The story blends a vivid portrayal of 1960s Chicago with a personal narrative about loyalty, identity, and the struggle for equality, making it a compelling read for those interested in American history and youth perspectives.
First publish date: 2012
Genre: Historical Fiction/20th Century Historical Fiction
Authors: Kekla Magoon
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