CROSSING DAY by William A. Glass
GENRE: Young Adult/Alternate History
MY REVIEW
Crossing Day is a thought provoking novel that I think is a warning to us. It seems Germany won the war, as did the Confederacy. They work together against the United States in the North. Slavery is still alive and well, as are the Nazis (written with sarcasm).
Crossing Day is about a group of kids that want to right an injustice, when a slave they like is bought by a bully’s father. They may have different lives from each other, but they all want to be free. Free from the heavy arm of Nazism and slavery in the Confederacy.
When I first began reading, I was confused about what the Germans had to do with the Confederacy and slavery and why they were over here. I would have liked to read more about that to clarify the situation. I think, the Confederacy thinks they seceded from the union, but they only put themselves in a worse situation with Germany running the show.
I love the group of kids that refuse to bow down and accept their fate, escaping to the North. They only thing is, they have to get through the unoccupied zone, which is not unoccupied. Those that used to live there came back and it has become the Wild West. Slavery is still practiced. The group learned to walk in someone else’s shoes. They are so close to freedom they can see it. They just have to cross the river to get to it.
I first became interested in alternate history books when my father in law started reading them. He was quite the history buff and I used to read a lot about WWII and the Vietnam War, when I was younger. To see it from a different angle can make us realize how fragile democracy is. I mean, just look at current events.
I do love books that get my brain working and Crossing Day did that in a big way. I might have to check out more of William A Glass’ novels.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Crossing Day by William A Glass.
BLURB
It’s been one hundred and sixty years since the Confederacy won its independence at the Battle of Altamaha Crossing. Slaves of African descent still perform most of the work in the South. This seems normal to Ryan Walters and his friends who attend high school in Huntsville, Alabama. Like teens everywhere, they enjoy sharing videos, playing sports, and hanging out with friends. Jaybird’s drive-in is their favorite gathering place. There, they befriend Mish, a slave girl who works as a car hop. When the drive-in’s owner sells Mish to a dirty old man, Ryan and his friends awaken to the injustice around them. Despite the danger, they decide to help Mish escape. Will they succeed?
EXCERPT
Melanie wanders into the dining room and finds her parents already seated at the table with their personal slaves standing behind them. Her mother, Dorothy, takes a sip of orange juice and replaces the glass on the lace tablecloth. Her servant, Natty, immediately gets a pitcher from the sideboard and refills the glass. Meanwhile, James is smiling at Melanie. “Morning, Miss,” he says. The white-haired Black man pulls out her chair. Once she’s seated, he spreads a cloth napkin over her lap.
“What was all the ruckus at Jaybird’s last night?” Dan Montgomery asks. He’s the mayor of Huntsville and knows everything.
“A German boy started it,” Melanie says defensively.
“Yes, and his father already called me to complain. He’s a big wheel at The Space Flight Complex.”
“Sorry!”
Montgomery points to the syrup. His slave, Parker, reaches for it and then pours. “Enough,” Montgomery snaps. He turns back to Melanie. “You and all the others will have a week of detention.”
Melanie gasps. “What about cheerleading practice?”
“You should have thought of that before you went to the drive-in. That’s where all the delinquents hang out and you with them.”
“I won’t go anymore. Please.” Melanie bats her baby blues at her father. His expression melts. “Go to detention after school today, and maybe we’ll see about tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Montgomery cuts off a bite of pancake and pops it into his mouth. That reminds Melanie to eat as well. It’s almost time for the bus.
AUTHOR Bio and Links
Bill is a retired business executive who now lives in a small southern town with his wife, Bettina. She’s a retired high school German teacher. Bill coaches soccer at a small college. Often, Bettina, who has a commercial driver’s license, pilots the soccer team bus to away games.
Bettina and Bill have three sons, Alex, Robert, and Gordon who have all graduated from college and moved away to pursue careers. Instead of having an empty nest, Bettina and Bill now host three rescue dogs. They enjoy finding promising hiking trails to explore with their dogs.
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