An often overlooked era in American history comes alive for a 16-year-old boy with the help of his ancestor. Malcolm has been sent to his family's farm in Natchez, Mississippi, for the summer following a traumatic interaction with the police in his hometown of Washington, D.C. Shortly after arriving, he discovers that what land remains is in jeopardy of being stolen by the state to expand the highway, a repeat of an earlier injustice that privileged land belonging to White people. Malcolm doesn't fully understand the significance of this until he finds an old diary written by a certain Cedric Johnson. Through Cedric's words, Malcolm is transported back in time to the Reconstruction era--not just that, during these episodes, he actually becomes Cedric. Malcolm witnesses the strides made by formerly enslaved people and how they were undone by those determined to preserve inequalities, as well as meeting prominent Black political figures of the time. As he understands the parallels with his present, Malcolm realizes how to enact change to save his family's farm. This engaging and timely novel, showcasing atrocities and highlighting joyous moments, will likewise transport its readers. Meticulous details and a leisurely pace lead to a realistic but uplifting conclusion. Malcolm's anger over the plight of Black Americans will resonate with many readers and open the minds of others. A dynamic look at how the past informs the future. (biographies, timeline, author's note, image credits) (Historical fantasy. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Coles' stunning debut celebrates forgotten heroes and better futures. Malcolm Williams is a Black teen living in DC with his mother; his father is absent from his life due to a violent tragedy during Malcom's infancy. When Malcolm has a terrifying run-in with the police, his mother sends him to his dad's family farm in Mississippi--the last place on Earth that Malcolm wants to go. Initially, Malcolm isn't bothered when he learns the farm is in danger of being acquired by the state, but soon otherworldly powers change his opinion by sending him back in time to 1866 and stuffing him into the body of Cedric Johnson, one of his ancestors. While walking in Cedric's shoes, Malcolm meets several Black heroes who fought for change during the Reconstruction era. The experience is both astounding and crushing. After all, if the heroes Malcolm meets didn't achieve lasting change, how can he ever make a difference? In the end, Malcolm must learn how to fight for his convictions and employ the lessons he learns from the past to save his family's legacy and future. Coles sensitively explores what it means to care about something, fight for something, and effect lasting change. Teens will immediately connect with Malcom's journey and readily identify the real-life issues involving systematic oppression, social justice, and racism that Coles poignantly examines. A powerful story.

Gr 6 Up--During the summer before his junior year in high school, Malcolm's mom decides she wants him to spend time with his late father's family in Mississippi. While he initially is not a fan of farm work, he finds the diary of Cedric, a man who worked in Washington, DC, during Reconstruction, in the attic. He starts hearing Cedric's voice and periodically gets pulled back in time to live snippets of Cedric's life. This allows Malcolm to see first-hand a period when African American politicians were serving in the U.S. Congress and making positive civil rights legislation before the emergence of Jim Crow laws in the deep south. Coles adeptly creates a character that readers will care about. However, it can be difficult to use dialogue to convey history, since people don't often provide enough context to give the uninitiated adequate insight, and such is the case with many of the historical conversations in this book; it can be distracting to readers. It isn't clear that the modern-day portion of this book is set in 2015 until the Charleston church shooting occurs. Naming the year earlier would have made a reference to an iPod and some slightly dated slang in the text seem less jarring. VERDICT Despite some narrative issues, this is a unique and readable look at a historical period that is not often covered in teen literature.--Kristin Lee Anderson, Jackson County Lib. Svcs., OR