Tear This Down

In Barbara Dee's middle grade novel, Freya, a girl proud of her hometown of Wellstone and its famous hero Benjamin Wellstone, uncovers unsettling truths about his legacy during a school project. As she learns about the darker aspects of Benjamin's beliefs, she considers challenging the town's reverence by advocating for a more accurate historical representation. Her efforts to replace the statue of Benjamin with one of local suffragette Octavia Padgett set off unexpected repercussions, prompting her to stand firm amidst opposition from her community and family.