Crossing Day

The story begins with the teenagers’ seemingly ordinary lives in Huntsville, Alabama school, sports, and hanging out at Jaybird’s Drive-In. Yet, when Mish, a young enslaved girl working at the drive-in, is sold to an unsavory man, Ryan and his friends are forced to reckon with the systemic cruelty that underpins their world. Their decision to take a stand and help Mish  indicates the courage those little kids have and the perspective with which they comprehend things which even adults are not able to do. Glass’s writing is immersive and sharp, skillfully blending action with moments of quiet reflection. The world building is extraordinary; it’s easy to picture a society where this alternate history unfolds, complete with its cultural norms and ethical blind spots. Meanwhile, Ryan and his friends’ moral awakening is depicted with nuance, making their journey deeply relatable.

I really liked the comparison done by the author to Huckleberry Finn and The Hunger Games feels apt. Like Twain’s classic, Crossing Day explores themes of freedom and justice through the lens of youthful rebellion. At its core, however, Crossing Day stands as its own compelling tale a testament to the power of friendship and the enduring fight against oppression. What truly elevates the novel is its ability to mirror real-world issues without becoming heavy-handed. Readers are invited to draw parallels between the book’s alternate history and ongoing conversations about inequality and systemic injustice. This subtlety adds depth to the narrative, making it resonate long after the final page.

In Crossing Day, William A. Glass offers a story that is thrilling, thought-provoking, and emotionally impactful. It challenges readers to consider what they would do in the face of normalized injustice and reminds us that even in the darkest realities, there is hope for change. I Highly recommend it to the fans of speculative fiction and socially conscious storytelling.