The Fire in the Flint (Black Narratives)

Delve into the gripping narrative of "The Fire in the Flint (Black Narratives)," a poignant novel by Walter Francis White, a pivotal leader of the NAACP and a voice of the Harlem Renaissance. Published on February 15, 2022, this novel revisits the vibrant yet tumultuous era of the 1920s through the eyes of Dr. Kenneth Harper, a young Black doctor in Georgia. After serving in World War I and completing medical school, Harper returns to his Southern hometown with hopes of bettering his community through medicine. However, his aspirations and achievements incite the wrath of the local Ku Klux Klan, testing his resolve and courage in ways he never imagined. White masterfully weaves themes of resilience, racial justice, and the struggle against oppression in this powerful bildungsroman, making it an essential read for middle school students exploring the complexities of American history and racial dynamics. Celebrated by figures like W.E.B. Du Bois and Sinclair Lewis, "The Fire in the Flint" remains a testament to the enduring spirit of the New Negro Movement and a compelling invitation to reflect on past and present social justice issues.