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Crossing the Line: A Novel Paperback – May 19, 2020

by Bibi Belford (Author)

26

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An Award-Winning Middle Grade Novel Inspired by the True Events Leading Up to the 1919 Chicago Race Riots

Some people think there’s a line, and if everybody stays on their side of the line, then we’ll all get along just fine.

That’s what Billy’s da told him, back before he joined up in the Great War. Da said that sometimes, to do what’s right, you gotta cross that line.

Course, that was before the war ended and Billy’s da came home with shell shock. Now it’s up to Billy to be man of the house, to take care of his ma and sisters and work at the docks when he can. He ain’t no coward, and he don’t complain, not even when money troubles mean he has to change schools. It’s hard times for all the Irish—maybe even for all of Chicago.

And it gets harder when Billy becomes friends with Foster, a black boy who loves baseball and whose daddy went to war, too. What seems like just horsing around to them—building a raft, spending time in their secret hideout by the creek—stirs up trouble when the rest of the city gets wind of it.

Soon, the boys’ friendship has triggered a series of events that will change both their lives forever. And with racial tensions in the city coming to a head, Billy must decide once and for all what it means to be courageous, to be a friend, and to truly cross the line.

Reading age

10 years and up
Print length

312 pages
Language

English
Grade level

4 and up
Dimensions

5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
Publisher

Sky Pony
Publication date

May 19, 2020
ISBN-10

1510753508
ISBN-13

978-1510753501
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Readers of all ages will be pulled into this strong, warm, and important coming-of-age story, seen through the eyes of an innocent boy trying to make sense of a racially violent world around him. Blending honesty and humor with history isn't easy, but Bibi Belford has hit all her marks with courage and conviction.”
—Randall Platt, author of Incommunicado and The Girl Who Wouldn't Die

“‘We have stories to tell,’ Bibi Belford writes in this powerful novel, ‘if we are brave to tell them.’ And I’m so glad to have read this brave story. Crossing the Line tackles tough issues that didn't make sense in Billy's lifetime, and that don't make sense now—and his journey is infused with hope that even the smallest among us can be a catalyst for big change.”
—Beth Vrabel, author of Pack of Dorks and A Blind Guide to Stinkville

“A heart-wrenching, heart-pounding read, set almost a hundred years ago but with themes that still resonate strongly today. The characters are unforgettable, and loyal even as their friendship is tested. A story that will leave you thinking about how you can cross the line.”
—Lisa Ann Scott, author of Back on the Map and School of Charm

"A timely novel . . . Belford deftly walks her own line.” —The Historical Novels Review

"There’s no easy way to solve the problem [of racism] but a start might be to require every fifth grader to read this book. It’s that powerful." —Always in the Middle

“Gritty and real and honest in a way that's still okay for younger readers . . . this is a book that [every pre-teen needs] to read. Honestly, I would say that this is a book that everyone needs to read at some point or another. It's definitely far and away one of the best books I've read this year.”—I Read Till Dawn

“A powerful story of friendship and the cost that can come with doing the right thing . . . Crossing the Line is an excellent read!” —Compass Book Ratings

About the Author

Bibi Belford is the author of Canned and Crushed and Another D for DeeDee. She graduated with a BA in English from Westmont College and completed her master’s in bilingual literacy at Northern Illinois University. She’s been a classroom teacher, reading teacher, and literacy coach in East Aurora, Illinois’s elementary schools.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sky Pony; Reprint edition (May 19, 2020)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 312 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1510753508
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1510753501
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10 years and up
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 4 and up
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,854,261 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #443 in Children's Books on Violence
- #1,946 in Children's 1900s American Historical Fiction
- #2,367 in Children's Books on Prejudice & Racism

Customer Reviews:
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Bibi Belford

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With a masters in bilingual literacy, and reading and ESL endorsements, Bibi Belford spent many years teaching reading to second language learners. When her students kept complaining few books related to their experiences, she promised to write them one. Canned and Crushed is that book. Now, her former students are her biggest fans. Her second novel, middle grade historical fiction, set in Chicago in 1919, will be released in spring, 2017. Bibi recently moved from the suburbs to Chicago where she’s learning to love city living. She has four kids and two grandkids and loves hiking, biking, reading, quilting, and volunteering at a local school.

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26 global ratings

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JOD

It kept me turning pages to the end

Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2017

Verified Purchase

This excellent book kept me turning pages to the very end, to hear the voice of young Billy McDermott tell the story of his friendship with young Foster Williams. The two boys become best friends but hide it from their friends because of the invisible color line. The book is written for middle grades but can be appreciated at any age.
Historical fiction is an enjoyable way to learn history, and this book is packed with history about Chicago in 1919 – the Stockyards, the White Sox (just before they became the Black Sox), the dirigible crash which killed a dozen people in the Loop, the Eastland capsizing disaster which killed 800 people on the Chicago River, and segregation.
The true story it’s based on is this. The great northern migration sent thousands of African Americans from South to North beginning before 1916. The Black Belt of Chicago population of 50,000 nearly doubled during the war, yet no new houses or tenements were built. After Armistice Day, both white and black doughboys returned from the Great War looking for work. The racial tension exploded in Chicago on July 27, 1919. The real Eugene Williams drowned when he was hit with rocks for crossing the invisible color line near 29th St. while floating on a raft between the white beach and the black beach, setting off days of rioting.
In this fictionalized version, Billy learns from his new friend that - “In the South, the hate is floatin’ on top of the water. But in Chicago, the hate is like them rocks in the river. When there’s plenty of water, you can’t see ‘em. But it’s low water now.” The writer portrays a child’s wish for things to be better, but painful recognition of how hard it is to change. The author carries just the right balance of the young “Gol dang” narrative with the harsh reality of segregation.

2 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Compelling and relevant, a great read

Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2017

Verified Purchase

History gets a compelling voice in Bibi Belford’s Crossing the Line. A story that starts with the simple tale of two young boys developing a friendship quickly becomes a much larger tale, one that would forever leave its mark on Chicago’s history. As Billy continues his journey he finds that he must confront fundamental questions about the nature of equality, the value of friendship, about what lines he is willing to follow, and what lines must be crossed. The author’s narrative seamlessly carries forth lessons from 1919 and lending relevance to questions that we are still struggling with today. A great read for kids and adults alike. I read Canned and Crushed every year to my 4th grade class because of how relevant and relatable is it to my diverse students I am going to add Crossing the Line to our repertoire as well!

2 people found this helpful

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Caroline Hix

My student loved it!

Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2021

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My advanced 4th grade student loved the book and said it was amazing. We are grateful to Bibi Belford because she agreed to do a Zoom with our class! They had so much fun talking to her! She’s so kind.

One person found this helpful

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LMK

A chance to understand history

Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2017

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This book offers a fresh look at an old problem as a young boy struggles to understand racism just before the Chicago race riots. With genuine confusion and sincerity, Billy tries to figure out the reasons his black friends are treated so poorly and gets caught up in a firestorm of hatred. Readers get a fascinating history lesson told in Billy’s compelling voice that leaves us wondering why we still find ourselves in the grips of inequality when even a boy can see that it’s wrong. Interesting to note that it’s based on a true story.

One person found this helpful

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CAH

Adults will love this novel, too!

Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2018

Verified Purchase

Crossing the Line is a middle grade historical fiction novel that will appeal greatly to both kids and adults. My husband and I each read this book. We found ourselves absorbed in Billy’s world of 1919 Chicago and had a wonderful time discussing it.

Bibi Belford is a gifted, empathic storyteller with an uncanny ability to compassionately inhabit the inner world of her characters. What a wonderful read! Buy it for your kids and then sit down and savor it yourself.

I’ll devour everything this author writes.

One person found this helpful

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Roi Solberg

I don't even know where to begin praising this book ...

Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2018

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I don't even know where to begin praising this book by Bibi Belford. It is a timely read for everyone.
Her research of the era puts you right into the turmoil going on. The boys struggle with problems and issues that they're too young to solve and your heart aches for them. Bibi Belford brings them alive. She's a gifted writer and I'm waiting for her next book.

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Great read!

Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2021

Verified Purchase

Great story! A wonderful page turner.

One person found this helpful

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Fr. William J. Moriarity