The Color of a Lie
In 1955, a Black family passes for white and moves to a “Whites Only” town in the suburbs. Caught between two worlds, a teen boy puts his family at risk as he uncovers racist secrets about his suburb. A new social justice thriller from the acclaimed author of This Is My America!
WINNER OF THE LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE FOR YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE • A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL AND KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
Calvin knows how to pass for white. He's done it plenty of times before. For his friends in Chicago, when they wanted food but weren't allowed in a restaurant. For work, when he and his dad would travel for the Green Book.
This is different.
After a tragedy in Chicago forces the family to flee, they resettle in an idyllic all-white suburban town in search of a better life. Calvin's father wants everyone to embrace their new white lifestyles, but it's easier said than done. Hiding your true self is exhausting -- which leads Calvin across town where he can make friends who know all of him...and spend more time with his new crush, Lily. But when Calvin starts unraveling dark secrets about the white town and its inhabitants, passing starts to feel even more suffocating--and dangerous--than he could have imagined.
Expertly weaving together real historical events with important reflections on being Black in America, acclaimed author Kim Johnson powerfully connects readers to the experience of being forced to live a life-threatening lie or embrace an equally deadly truth.
WINNER OF THE LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE FOR YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE • A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL AND KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
Calvin knows how to pass for white. He's done it plenty of times before. For his friends in Chicago, when they wanted food but weren't allowed in a restaurant. For work, when he and his dad would travel for the Green Book.
This is different.
After a tragedy in Chicago forces the family to flee, they resettle in an idyllic all-white suburban town in search of a better life. Calvin's father wants everyone to embrace their new white lifestyles, but it's easier said than done. Hiding your true self is exhausting -- which leads Calvin across town where he can make friends who know all of him...and spend more time with his new crush, Lily. But when Calvin starts unraveling dark secrets about the white town and its inhabitants, passing starts to feel even more suffocating--and dangerous--than he could have imagined.
Expertly weaving together real historical events with important reflections on being Black in America, acclaimed author Kim Johnson powerfully connects readers to the experience of being forced to live a life-threatening lie or embrace an equally deadly truth.
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Community Reviews
“I knew what it meant to pass - most often it meant that never the two worlds should meet. It was an unwritten rule to let them be.
Calvin is a teenager in the 1950s forced to “pass” in order to have a “better” life. But at what cost?
Kim Johnson does it again in Color of a Lie!! She has an incredible talent for bringing important truths and history into this story that will make youth and adults, alike, want to sit down, listen, digest, and discuss. I found myself wondering, if I would pass if I could pass… in order to not be shunned for my skin tone.
We often read stories of adult Blacks passing, but this is my first time reading from a young person’s perspective. He’s Black but has to hide his love of Blackness to stay safe and under the radar. Younger people tend to want to play by their own rules, so Calvin has a very hard conflict in doing what he wants to do vs what he is supposed to do.
Calvin did get on my nerves many times because his actions could’ve ended badly for many people, but he was so intent on his desires.
The audiobook was excellent! Here are some powerful quotes that stuck with me!
❥"We're caught in a scam that has the bottom half bamboozled, believing that the American dream is achievable by those who deserve it, work hard enough. Then they justify burning up our justice, our access, our dream. The very thing this country was created to uphold but this country only knows how to rule in terror and by blood. The physical and the methaphysical. The hate that has now fueled this country against us is as visible as skin color and as invisible as the soul."
❥"I realize that this whole big world...is so small for us. So many spaces that are confined and it's suffocating"
❥"Bland, delicate communities were worse than any nightmares."
This was my first historical thriller. It was written in a way that captivated the audience. It had the perfect balance of history, suspense, and thrill. It also opened my eyes to learn more about the racism & discrimination that occurs today. I also enjoyed how the author provided additional resources.
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