HOLLER OF THE FIREFLIES

In New York and Appalachia, a shy, gentle, Black boy must find a way to honor his gifts and his truths.

Twelve-year-old Javari Harris, who is short for his age and has strabismus, lives with his family in Bushwick, a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood in Brooklyn. After the family returns home from a rally protesting the killing of an unarmed Black man by the police, they find a lease termination notice on their door, threatening what has been the family’s home for three generations. The opportunity to spend two weeks in West Virginia at a STEM summer camp couldn’t come at a better time for Javari: It offers relief from the pressures of home, particularly ongoing conflicts with his mother, who seems to project her fears about raising a Black son onto him. At camp, a mysterious interloper offers an unlikely friendship, an opportunity to learn about Appalachia beyond the confines of the camp, an education into the region’s rich history and challenges, and growing self-awareness for Javari. Though surrounded by racially diverse campers, Javari cannot escape racism. Complex characters and authentic conversations, particularly between Javari and his former Amtrak porter grandfather, provide rich content for exploring the enduring trauma of White supremacy. Thoughtful explorations of issues such as corporate greed, the opioid crisis, water rights, and the little-known history of Affrilachians abound in this outstanding novel.

An emotionally resonant narrative skillfully connecting the past, present, and future.