Map of Ireland: A Novel by Stephanie Grant

Set in Boston in the early 70s, this is the story of a city torn apart by racial hatred exasperated by newly introduced school desegregation, and of a white teen struggling with racism, her sexuality, her crush on her Senegalese French teacher, and her sexual initiation with one of the black girls on her basketball team.

Ann wants to think that she can at least be friends with her teammate, if not girlfriends, but an episode of racial violence directed at her French teacher, in which ...more Set in Boston in the early 70s, this is the story of a city torn apart by racial hatred exasperated by newly introduced school desegregation, and of a white teen struggling with racism, her sexuality, her crush on her Senegalese French teacher, and her sexual initiation with one of the black girls on her basketball team.

Ann wants to think that she can at least be friends with her teammate, if not girlfriends, but an episode of racial violence directed at her French teacher, in which she could name the assailants but refuses to do so out of a sense of ethics which prevent her from doing so, causes an irreparable rift between them.

The details of time and place, as well as the ethical and emotional struggles of Ann all ring true. 

**** Recommended


Scribner, 2008     ISBN  1416556222