We Deserve Monuments

In We Deserve Monuments, YA debut author Jas Hammonds explores themes of family secrets, race, and small-town tensions through the story of seventeen-year-old Avery Anderson, who moves from D.C. to her grandmother’s home in Bardell, Georgia. As Avery uncovers hidden histories and forges new friendships—and potential romance—she faces difficult choices about whether uncovering the truth is worth risking the fragile relationships around her. The novel weaves a compelling coming-of-age narrative with a slow-burn mystery rooted in racial history, set against the backdrop of a community grappling with its past.