Out of Darkness

"This is East Texas, and there's lines. Lines you cross, lines you don't cross. That clear?" New London, TX. 1937. Naomi Vargas is Mexican American. Wash Fuller is Black. These teens know the town's divisive racism better than anyone. But sometimes the attraction between two people is so powerful it breaks through even the most entrenched color lines. And the consequences can be explosive.

Naomi and Wash dare to defy the rules, and the New London school explosion serves as a ticking time bomb in the background. Can their love survive both prejudice and tragedy?

Race, romance, and family converge in this riveting novel that transplants Romeo and Juliet to a bitterly segregated Texas town. Includes a fascinating author's note detailing the process of research and writing about voices that have largely been excluded from historical accounts.

Reader Fit: Recommended for mature teens who appreciate historical fiction that examines injustice, resilience, and the lasting impact of prejudice on individuals and communities.

Why We Carry It: We carry Out of Darkness because it confronts the realities of racism, segregation, and discrimination through deeply personal stories. It encourages readers to understand how systemic prejudice shapes lives while recognizing the courage of those who endure it.