It is the spring of 1961 and 13-year-old Billie is about to find out first hand what the fuss about segregated buses really means. She lives in Anniston, Alabama and does not understand the boundaries that rule black people's lives in her town. However, when the Freedom Riders bus is set on fire and she witnesses it, she feels the need to do something about the hatred and injustice.
There does not seem to be as much material available about the Freedom Riders as there is for other events that occurred during the Civil Rights movement. Because of that lack, this is an important addition to a civil rights collection. It is well-written with character depth and development over the course of the novel. There is violence but at an appropriate level for a middle grade/middle school audience.