Ringside, 1925
Jen Bryant
Paperback
(Yearling, July 14, 2009)
Take a ringside seat at one of the most controversial trials in American history.The year is 1925, and the students of Dayton, Tennessee, are ready for a summer of fishing, swimming, and drinking root beer floats at Robinsonâs Drugstore. But when their science teacher, J. T. Scopes, is arrested for having taught Darwinâs theory of evolution, it seems it wonât be an ordinary summer in Dayton. As Scopesâs trial proceeds, the small town pulses with energy and is faced with astonishing nationwide publicity. Suddenly surrounded by fascinating people and new ideas, Jimmy Lee, Pete, Marybeth, and Willy are thrilled. But amidst the excitement and circus-like atmosphere is a threatening sense of tensionânot only in the courtroom, but among even the strongest of friends.â
âThe colorful facts [Bryant] retrieves, the personal story lines, and the deft rhythm of the narrative are more than enough invitation to readers to ponder the issues she raises.ââPublishers Weekly, Starred