Out of Darkness — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
A Michael L. Printz Honor Book
"This is East Texas, and there's lines. Lines you cross, lines you don't cross. That clear?"New London, Texas. 1937. Naomi Vargas and Wash Fuller know about the lines in East Texas as well as anyone. They know the signs that mark them. They know the people who enforce them. But sometimes the attraction between two people is so powerful it breaks through even the most entrenched color lines. And the consequences can be explosive.
Ashley Hope Pérez takes the facts of the 1937 New London school explosion—the worst school disaster in American history—as a backdrop for a riveting novel about segregation, love, family, and the forces that destroy people."[This] layered tale of color lines, love and struggle in an East Texas oil town is a pit-in-the-stomach family drama that goes down like it should, with pain and fascination, like a mix of sugary medicine and artisanal moonshine."—The New York Times Book Review
"Pérez deftly weaves [an] unflinchingly intense narrative....A powerful, layered tale of forbidden love in times of unrelenting racism."―starred, Kirkus Reviews
"This book presents a range of human nature, from kindness and love to acts of racial and sexual violence. The work resonates with fear, hope, love, and the importance of memory....Set against the backdrop of an actual historical event, Pérez...gives voice to many long-omitted facets of U.S. history."―starred, School Library Journal
Frequently asked questions
Is Out of Darkness appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book contains disturbing violence, including a near-lynching of a Black character and a tragic explosion that kills many students. It addresses racial hatred and mob violence as central elements of the story. The narrative explores real racial brutality and mob violence, which may be frightening for some readers. The intense emotional and physical dangers faced by the characters contribute to a sense of fear.
Does Out of Darkness have violence?
The book contains disturbing violence, including a near-lynching of a Black character and a tragic explosion that kills many students. It addresses racial hatred and mob violence as central elements of the story.
Does Out of Darkness have scary content?
The narrative explores real racial brutality and mob violence, which may be frightening for some readers. The intense emotional and physical dangers faced by the characters contribute to a sense of fear.
Does Out of Darkness have religious themes?
No religious content or themes detected in the narrative of the book.
Does Out of Darkness have racial/cultural content?
The book addresses themes of racism and racial brutality, depicting the overt racism of the 1930s in Texas and the impact of societal prejudice on the characters' lives. It critically examines the historical context of racial violence.
Does Out of Darkness have profanity?
The book includes racial slurs and occasional curse words, such as 's--t', 'c--t', and 'f--k', reflecting the harsh realities of the characters' environment.
Does Out of Darkness have climate change?
No climate themes or environmental issues detected in the narrative of the book.
Does Out of Darkness have sexual identity?
The story includes a physically intimate relationship between two teenage characters, progressing from hand-holding to kissing and oral sex. This content is presented within the context of their love story.
Does Out of Darkness have gender roles?
The story explores themes related to the vulnerability of women and girls, as well as the dynamics of family and love in the context of racial and social challenges. It presents a nuanced view of gender roles within its historical setting.
Does Out of Darkness have lgbtq+ themes?
The book features an interracial love story that includes LGBTQ+ themes, exploring the emotional complexities of forbidden love in a socially restrictive environment. The narrative highlights the struggles of the characters against societal norms.
