This story, set in Hanging Moss, Mississippi in the summer of 1964 is a historical fiction novel about the way a community deals with the changes caused by desegregation. The main character, Glory Hemphill, is going to turn 12 on her birthday (July 4th), and is excited about doing all the fun things she has done in the past. Glory is in for a surprise and a shock, however, because old traditions are dying quickly in her small town. The civil rights movement is making its way through Hanging Moss-- there are volunteers in town from places as far away as Ohio trying to provide medical assistance, education, and support to the black community. Some people in Hanging Moss are unhappy with the changes and make moves to block any changes from occurring. Soon, the community pool is closed, the 4th of July picnic and parade are in danger, and some town officials are even moving to have the library closed rather than share it with "negroes". 
 Glory and her sister Jesslyn, along with some new friends, feel like the way some of their community is wrong, and are willing to stand up for what they believe, but what will be the cost? 
 This is a fairly mature handling of a mature topic-- especially for children in the 10 - 12 year old range; however, it is also appropriate for this age. Readers learn about sit-ins, civil rights workers and leaders, and the hatred that comes from fear of that which is new or different or strange. Glory is a character who is easy to know and to love, and the plot of the last half of the story had me flipping pages until I had finished the entire book. This one's a keeper!