This book is an eloquent, simple story of tragic love. Ellie and Jeremiah are likable teenagers who fall in love with each other despite their racial differences. In each other, they find a remedy for their loneliness and hope for their future. At every turn, they encounter prejudice, whether it be an elderly white lady on the street, or Ellie's own sister Anne. But for Ellie and Jeremiah, black and white doesn't exist, only the feeling that they are irrevocably meant for each other.
This was a charming story, but it felt dated at times. There was no reference to a specific time period in the novel, but it was published in 1998 and the mood of the piece seems to fit with the late 90s. As I followed Ellie and Jeremiah's story, it lead me to think about whether this sort of racial prejudice still exists. I wanted to believe that it doesn't. But I know that racialism, especially towards black individuals, continues to be a very real issue, especially in the United States. It definitely got me thinking about my own experiences and my own stereotypes. A compelling read overall.