Mississippi Trial 1955

               The book I read for the reading bowl was The Mississippi Trial 1955 by Chris Crowe. This book explores racism in the mid-20th century (1948 and 1955), and talks about people not necessarily turning out to be all you expected them to be. 

             The protagonist in this book is Hiram Hilburn and his wants change throughout the book as he matures. First, he wants to stay in Mississippi with his grandfather. After he is forced to leave by his dad, all he wants to do is go back to Mississippi, which provokes much arguing with his south hating dad. Finally, he desires to make up with his dad when he discovers and starts to understand his view of the south. 


             The main antagonist in this book is Hiram's view of things. This is the view, which creates tension and loathing between Hiram and other characters like R.C. Rydelle, Hiram's father, and finally Hiram's grandfather. The mentors of this book are Harlem Hilburn, Hiram's dad, and Hiram's grandfather. Hiram's dad wants him to dislike the south and segregation while Hiram's grandfather wants him to like the south and go with segregation. 


              Over the course of the book, Hiram begins to see his father’s view of the south and the cons of segregation. This is caused when Emmet Till, a "negro" boy is killed and the trial that lets the white murderers go is extremely biased. 


             To me, the most memorable events in the book are when Hiram learns he is going back to Mississippi, when Hiram sees what R.C. does to Emmet, and the very end when Hiram makes up with his dad. I enjoyed the book very much because to me, it was an intriguing mystery, which I like to have in books. 


             I would definitely recommend this book to next year's reading bowl as it keeps the reader in suspense until the very end of the story.