Hush isn't a horror novel but it is as upsetting as Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte, however I do recommend the movie HIGHLY. Hush by Jacqueline Woodson is more upsetting, actually. I had a tough time with this book. What happens to this family is a true nightmare. Toswiah's father is police officer in Denver. He is the only African American man on the force, but it has never been an issue. He and his fellow officers weren't black or white. They were just blue. One that all changes. Two officers on the squad shoot a young, unarmed, African American male. They insist that it was because they thought he had a gun, but Toswiah's father knows that is not true. He was there. After much heart ache and internal conflict, Toswiah's dad agrees to testify against the white officers who killed the young man. Threats are made, anonymous phone calls and worse. Toswiah and her family are placed in the Federal Witness Protection Program. Toswiah becomes Evie. Her older sister, Cameron, becomes Anna. Toswiah's father falls apart and her mother becomes involved with the Jehovah's Witnesses.
This is just a hard, sad book, but it also has hope and really showcases integrity and the good (and not so good) that can come from having it.
A great book for discussion. Woodson is amazing. And of course...that reminds me...she shoulda won the Newberry!!!
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