Rent The Loud Silence of Francine Green

In 1949-50, eighth-grader and nice Catholic girl Francine Green makes friends with outspoken, politically-minded Sophie Bowman. Sophie makes Francine think about the conformity imposed on her, while she worries about the Red Scare, the bomb, and communists. A marvelous evolution of a young mind from unthinking to thinking and wondering, and even, possibly, speaking out against injustices she sees around her. Sophie Great characterizations that make the feelings and fears of the period very real and understandable. I did feel a little let down that we didn't get to witness what she said to Sister Basil in the end.