by Wade Hudson
Random House Children’s Books; January 2024
ARC compliments of Libro
Wade Hudson was born to be a writer, as he has been writing as long as he could hold a pencil, and by the age of 14 had written plays performed professionally. In the late eighties, Wade started a company called ‘Just Us Books Inc., ‘ joining the world of independent publishers paving the way for books focused exclusively on the lives and interests of Black and marginalized individuals. Wade Hudson’s spirit of entrepreneurship has garnered him many literary awards and honors such as the Stephen Crane and the Malka Penn award for addressing human rights issues in literary works. The Reckoning shines a light on Wade Hudson’s skill to amplify issues in the lives of the marginalized through compassion, joy and hope.
Fist bumps, camcorders, movie producers, protests and a flash of a bulb sets the stage for this text, The Reckoning, starring Lamar, a teen boy, learning about the civil rights movement through the life of his grandfather. Set in current day Morton, Louisiana, age-old themes of racism and inequity threaten to destroy Lamar’s family after the experience of a hate crime. The power of community, the bond of friendship, and the love of family serve as the bonding agent to move the plot of the story. As Lamar becomes vigilant about the cause of civil rights, and the power of film and producer rights, his life path creates broader roads to travel and learn.
What works: The author’s knowledge of the history of systemic racism and its impact and effects is woven throughout the text storyline seamlessly. The characters engagement in dialogue brings a greater awareness to the emotions and tensions permeating throughout the text increasing suspense and anticipation for a result.
What doesn’t work: Several characters are introduced throughout the text, however, their roles never seem to develop into the thread that twines throughout the storyline. Though there is resolution, racial injustice is still evident without promises of new methods to address this age old dis-ease in the body of the world.
Pass It OR Grab It?
This middle grade read, brings all the feels of loving family, powerful community and growth stemming from a tragedy. Grab this text, if you are looking for a feel good read in which the main character learns a lifetime lesson.
Black Cotton Reviewers 
One response to “The Reckoning”
I love this review! The reviewer really gets it. This comment from me may shed a little more light on my use of several characters the reviewer felt whose roles weren’t fully developed.
From the review: “What doesn’t work: Several characters are introduced throughout the text, however, their roles never seem to develop into the thread that twines throughout the storyline.”
My response: “The two characters in question are representative of those often unidentified “wise caretakers” in the Black community who appear when they are needed. I am thankful for those who have appeared in my life at the right when I needed help or advice. Often, they performed a good deed, unannounced and unexpected and disappear. The Black experience is full of them.”
Otherwise, this is a great review. .