Them by Andrew J. Gregor

A painfully relevant novel about poisonous patriotism, Them by Andrew J. Gregor is a striking statement about youth, indoctrination, and the ideological evolution of America. Jonah is a Midwest teen with a racist mechanic for a father, while Leila is a Muslim immigrant with a scarred family history and too much experience dealing with prejudice. Their unconventional connection veers toward star-crossed tragedy when Jonah’s father takes his bigotry to new heights of violence, emboldened by a national surge of Islamophobia and isolationism. Highlighting our modern era of misinformation and malicious beliefs, Gregor’s novel is a clear-eyed critique of virulent ignorance and a stirring plea for greater wisdom in generations to come.