Riot

2014
Author:

Mary Casanova

The gripping story of a Minnesota milling town ripped apart by tension and violence

Riot follows the story of sixth-grader Bryan, whose family life becomes stressed when nonunion labor “rats” are hired at the local paper mill, leaving his father, a union worker, angry and out of a job. Already torn between his parents’ opposing viewpoints on the escalating situation, Bryan’s growing feelings for the daughter of a nonunion worker only complicate matters.

This fast-paced story poses challenging questions that have no easy answers.

Booklist

Based on actual events from 1989 in International Falls, Minnesota, Riot follows the story of sixth-grader Bryan, whose family life becomes stressed when nonunion labor “rats” are hired for a big project at the local paper mill, leaving his father, a union worker, angry and out of a job. Tension erupts into daily fights at school and nightly acts of vandalism with no solution in sight. Already torn between his parents’ opposing viewpoints on how to handle the escalating situation, Bryan’s growing feelings for the daughter of a nonunion worker only complicate matters.

Bryan tries to understand the turmoil affecting his home life and his town, but it is becoming harder and harder to separate his friends from his enemies. And when Bryan witnesses a violent act that implicates his father, he must wrestle with family loyalty and telling the truth.

Awards

Junior Library Guild selection

Mary Casanova is the author of more than thirty books for young readers, ranging from picture books to novels, including Frozen (Minnesota, 2012).

This fast-paced story poses challenging questions that have no easy answers.

Booklist

Casanova has created an exciting, realistic novel.

School Library Journal

A thoughtful, worthwhile book.

Bemidji Pioneer