Nobody can believe what they’re looking at, least of all the first person who found it. And of course, he’s instantly on top of the suspects list. The graffiti is quickly covered by a tarp then paint, but the damage has been done and hundreds of students have either seen it or taken pics of it while their mouths gaped open.

The principal looks in shock and unsteady on his feet as he announces a Tolerance teaching unit to counter the image – the Swastika someone painted in red paint.

Everyone has done the World War II unit years before and all understand the horror of the holocaust. But obviously someone wants to make a statement. But who? Was it a staff member? A member of the public? A student!?

The whole town is affected, and even more so when MORE Swastikas appear. This act of hatred brings things to the surface in this little town in Colorado. A family secret is revealed, one nearly a lifetime old. Other crimes emerge too – other hate crimes right in their small town only a few decades ago. But did the Ku Klux Klan really ride in an event full of fiery crosses?

A famous vlogger arrives in town, keen to get the scoop, spread the juicy bits to his followers and build his brand – REAL TALK. He is revered by many and hated by others, but he also becomes part of the solution.

Can this school fight back against this hate crime. Can they wipe the memory of the flaming crosses from their history? Suddenly the entire school is united like never before in an action of tolerance, remembrance, honour and hope, in order to fight the history of this symbol. When one boy discovers his family’s true past he vows to do his part in helping to heal it.

I love this author even more with every one of his novels I read. They are all middle-grade novels and often set in school or camp, but he captures the tween (not junior, not teen) experience magnificently every time. His characters are as different, and multi layered as any Intermediate / Middle Grade child, and authentic in their struggles with friendships, school, parents and growing up.

Linked also has many plot strings – Hate graffiti, school hierarchies, an archaeological dig, a progress hungry businessman, a popular vlogger looking for news and a boy facing a complete difference family past he never knew of.

Gordon Korman novels are always engaging from the beginning and Linked is no different. From wanting to know who painted the graffiti and why, to cheering on individual characters’ and the entire school’s goals, this story gripped me all the way through.

Loved it!

Author – Gordon Korman

Age – 10+

Read more reviews of Gordon Korman middle-grade novels (Click on a cover)

(2022, Scholastic, School, Nazi, Swastika, Hate, Jewish, Bar mitzva, Religion, Grandmother, Family Secret, School Spirit, Small Town, Archaeology, Dinosaur Bones, New School, Acceptance, Tolerance, Friendship, Popularity, Pranks, Crime, Graffiti, Mystery, Ku Klux Clan, Racism, Prejudice)