KENT STATE by Deborah Wiles

 

KENT STATE by Deborah Wiles is a riveting account of 4 days in 1970 on the Kent State University campus. Written in verse and told in multiple voices, this quick read will stay with readers as it encourages further exploration of a subject seen as historic to today's teens. 

Wiles tells the story of the days leading up to and including the killing of 4 students and the wounding of 9 others. The campus was the scene of campus unrest as students protested the Vietnam War. The protests were largely peaceful sit-ins until the local town leaders began to react. Spurred by unhappy, fearful townspeople and unfounded rumors about outsiders arriving to encourage the student protesters, the mayor and then the state's governor brought in police and then National Guard.

Tension increased and the result was the Guard firing on students and staff. Students simply heading to class or stepping out to see what was going on were killed or injured in at senseless attack. There was total confusion that ended in all factions remembering the events from completely different view points. Wiles tells readers that those differing view points still remain today as history is reviewed and relived on May 4 every year on the university campus.

I was in high school at the time of the shootings, and remember my mother's sadness as an alumni of Kent State. There are numerous parallels between the events of 1970 and the unrest present in many areas today. Teens who read KENT STATE are invited to seek hope and change as they learn about this tragic event from the past. This is a must read for high school students everywhere.