Melanie Dulaney's Reviews > Tear This Down

Barbara Dee (Violets Are Blue, Unstuck, Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet) continues to tackle tough scenarios in the lives of young people such depression, death, anxiety, climate change and now, in TEAR THIS DOWN, social activism. Freya has always felt supported in speaking her mind on topics that affect her and when a school assignment reveals that Benjamin Wellstone, the town’s much revered hero, is not as perfect as she has always been told. Yes, he opposed slavery and was a key abolitionist during Lincoln’s presidency but his treatment of women and his determination that they “stay in their lane,” tend to the household, have babies and leave voting and decision-making to the menfolk just sets her teeth on edge. With the help of a new friend and a like-minded librarian, Freya sets out to have Wellstone’s town center statue removed. Unfortunately, some of her tactics are less than admirable and her zeal alienates some and results in punitive consequences. Guidance from her parents, grandmother, teacher and more, helps Freya and others find a way to educate the community on not only the full picture of Wellstone but to honor local suffragists who fought for the rights of all women to have a voting voice, giving a much more balanced look at the history of their town.

Middle grade readers will connect to Freya as she tries, and sometimes fails, to affect change. Friendship drama comes into play as well as family dynamics that may resound with those in the target age range. Townspeople are portrayed realistically with positive and negative traits represented in a way that rings true and hopefully, young people will gain a vision of what they could do in their own school and communities.

Text is fear of profanity, sexual content and violence. While Freya’s actions are not always commendable, Dee includes consequences, correction and suggestions for positive actions. Main characters come from diverse families and ethnic groups. Great choice for readers ages 9-12.