Mississippi Trial, 1955

Mississippi Trial, 1955 is based on the events surrounding the murder of Emmett Till, a boy from Chicago visiting relatives in Mississippi. The story is told from Hiram Hillburn's perspective, a white 16-year-old boy whose family has relocated to Arizona and who is visiting his grandfather in Mississippi. Hiram meets Emmett just before Emmett is accused of saying "ugly" things to a white woman and is brutally lynched. Hiram doesn't fully understand the depths of racial hatred that exist in his town of origin, nor does he initially see the reasons for which his father moved away from his grandfather. Over the course of the story though, Hiram learns the truth about his grandfather, and he struggles with the difficulty doing what is right brings.

This is an excellent story that brings to light one of the most publicly controversial trials in our country's history. It is a great platform from which to discuss the issues of racism, segregation, lynching, and moral dilemma. Children can develop a more thorough understanding of that period of time in history as well as see some of the varying perspectives that existed. It is an engaging and thought-provoking novel, and it deserves a place in schools. ( )

ALA BBYA; RGG: Accompaniment to To Kill a Mockingbird, many plot parallels. Fictionalized account of the events surrounding the lynching of Emmett Till. Unimaginative story-telling, prose.

ALA BBYA; RGG: Accompaniment to To Kill a Mockingbird, many plot parallels. Fictionalized account of the events surrounding the lynching of Emmett Till. Unimaginative story-telling, prose.

This first person narrative gives an authoritative and comprehensible account of the tragic murder of fourteen year old Elliot Till. Details about the racial tensions and political climate of the segregated south in 1955 will give young readers a greater understanding of the historical significance of this hateful crime, the unjust results of the trial, and raise questions about its role in the civil rights movement. Be advised that the language may be offensive and the violent details surrounding the actual crime are graphic. ( )

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