Publisher's Synopsis
The summer of 1963 is warm. It is also a time when racial tension is exploding across the United States of America, eventually reaching the small town of Porter Mills in upstate New York. But it hadn't reached Caleb Walden, yet, a gregarious ten-year-old white boy who likes most everyone, regardless of the color of their skin. So when Redmond Williams, a black ex-convict, is released from prison and decides to take shelter in an abandoned cabin just outside of town, Caleb is more than happy to make the man feel welcome, despite strong opposition from Hurley Cobbs, his mother's racist boyfriend.As the friendship grows between Caleb and Redmond, so does the tension between the young boy and Hurley. Ultimately, Caleb is forced to decide if he should listen to Hurley and stay away from the ex-con, or risk the safety of himself and his mother to continue the relationship with his new friend. Whichever decision he makes it may cost him his life.The Last Cicada is a novel about friendship and sacrifice, and the choices we all have to make in becoming who we are.
