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Title: Suspect Red

Author: L. M. Elliott

Narrator: Elizabeth Wiley

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-19-17

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

It's 1953, and the United States has just executed an American couple convicted of spying for the Soviet Union. Everyone is on edge as the Cold War standoff between communism and democracy leads to the rise of Senator Joe McCarthy and his zealous hunt for people he calls subversives or communist sympathizers. Suspicion, loyalty oaths, blacklists, political profiling, hostility to foreigners, and the assumption of guilt by association divide the nation. Richard and his family believe deeply in American values and love of country, especially since Richard's father works for the FBI. Yet when a family from Czechoslovakia moves in down the street with a son Richard's age named Vlad, their bold ideas about art and politics bring everything into question.

Richard is quickly drawn to Vlad's confidence, musical sensibilities, and passion for literature, which he shares. But as the nation's paranoia spirals out of control, Richard longs to prove himself a patriot, and blurred lines between friend and foe could lead to a betrayal that destroys lives.

Members Reviews:

1950's Historical Fiction

Suspect Red

Thanks to the #kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.

It's the first day of summer vacation in 1953 and Richard is celebrating by rereading one of his favorite books, Robin Hood. It's been a hard year in 8th grade, mostly because his best friends decided to abandon him to concentrate on sports and girls. But today he's feeling relaxed, because at last he can be himself and just spend his time on his favorite pastime, reading. At least he's relaxed until his mom sees what he's reading. She instantly takes the book away, reminding him that Mr. Hoover, his dad's boss in the FBI, says that Robin Hood is one of the subversive books, because itâs about taking from the rich and giving to the poor. From that moment on in the story, you learn more and more about McCarthyism and the climate of the early 50s. I was disgusted and indignant, to be reminded of how Americanâs freedoms were ignored as Senator Joseph McCarthy led the nation and the FBI in the search for communists. Each of the bookâs chapters is about a month in 1953 and begins with news stories from the month, as well as pictures, which make it all the more real to the reader.

I really liked the respect, concern and empathy that Richard showed his parents in the book, even though he often disagreed with them. Also, Richard's little sister was a spunky nine year old, who I'd like to know a lot better. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a historical fiction book that's full of action. It's best for fifth grade and up.

Cold War History!

Thanks to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for the opportunity to read and review Suspect Red by L.M. Elliott! Chapter One is entitled "June 1953"; the book opens as Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are executed for giving the Soviet Union U. S. atomic bomb technology. More factual information is given: the reason for the Berlin Wall and censorship with books, before the story begins. Set in the Cold War era, Richard enjoys reading about spies and other topics that the government frowns upon at the time. His father works for the FBI and was active in the military during wartime. The story alternates between true historical moments and photographs to the fictional characters of Richard and his family and their lives.