Ringside, 1925, written by Jen Bryant. Random House Canada, Toronto. 2008. $7.50 paperback ages 12 and up

“He talked for almost an hour
on the virtues of majority rule, on the power
of the taxpayer’s checkbook in the schools,
on the evils of modern science.

I had it in my mind
To raise my hand and
Ask him what he thought about:

modern transportation (like the steam train he rode here
or the nice car he owns at his Florida home)

medicine (like the aspirin his wife takes for her arthritis)

mass communication ( he announced, with great pride,
that our Monkey Trial will be broadcast live by WGN).”

I read Jen Bryant’s RINGSIDE 1925 after reading and loving Pieces of Georgia. In this powerful book she explores the Scopes Trial, one of the most controversial trials in American history. She uses nine characters to tell the story in nine voices, all the while using free verse as her vehicle. Dayton, Tennessee is rarely busy during sleepy summer days; but, that all changes for its 1800 residents when an upstanding, popular school teacher is put on trial for teaching evolution, which has recently been forbidden by state law.

William Jennings Bryan, a brilliant speaker and a preacher, will speak against evolution while Clarence Darrow, a talented and intelligent lawyer, will defend Mr. Scopes. The news spreads like wildfire and soon the town is filled with reporters, scientists, religious leaders and other interested parties. Many of the townspeople see an opportunity to makes some money from all the visitors. They use the evolutionary notion that we are all descended from apes to sell almost any product, including Simian Shakes and monkeys on a rope. It begins in fun and friendship, but the trial continues over a much longer period of time than first thought and soon tempers flare, and many are caught up in the debate and supporting opposite sides. It is very interesting to have the story told by the town's residents and gives those reading this well-researched story a new perspective on a very famous time in history. Personal beliefs cause friends to forsake each other. Opportunity knocks for fledgling entrepreneurs and business booms while the trial lasts. It causes many of the town's residents to begin to think in new and different ways about the world beyond their town's borders.

I hope this book will inform your historical bent, peak your interest in knowing more about the trial and the people involved and best of all, cause you to look for more books by this very capable and talented author. I know it did the same for me.