**A searing YA debut that follows the joys, complexities, and
heartbreaks of an interracial romance between high school sophomores
that blossoms during a volatile school election
**
Uly would rather watch old Westerns with his new girlfriend, Sallie,
than get involved in his school's politics--why focus on the "bad" and
"ugly" when his days with Sallie are so good? His older sister Regina
feels differently. She is fed up with the way white school-body
presidential candidate Leona Walls talks about Black students. Regina
decides to run against Leona . . . and convinces Uly to be her campaign
manager.
Sallie has no interest in managing her sister's campaign, but how
could she say no? After their parents' death, Leona is practically her
only family. Even after Leona is accused of running a racist campaign
that targets the school's students of color--including Sallie's
boyfriend, Uly--Sallie wants to give her sister the benefit of the
doubt. But how long can she ignore the ugly truth behind Leona's
actions?
Together and apart, Uly and Sallie must navigate sibling loyalty and
romantic love as the campaign spirals toward a devastating conclusion.
CW: Acts of racism and bigotry, racist language, and gun violence are
portrayed in this novel.