I'm trying to put my finger on why exactly I don't rank this one higher. I'm wondering if I didn't put away my 21st century self enough (really, you're going to send your Black child to rural Alabama in the 1950s and think everything will be fine? And not check with the mother first?) That's me the adult talking though, not the child who probably didn't know all these things. I like the way McQueen writes Ethan, he is a relatable character. I appreciated that Juniper recognized those things about him, even if the rest of the town didn't. I also thought that the aunt and uncle were pretty realistic too. I don't know. I can't seem to put my finger on it right now. It was good, but it didn't soar for me.