Civil Rights in a small Colorado town in 1963 by Terry Marshall’s “Soda Springs” in his novel of “Love, Sex, and Civil Rights.” Young love of Ricky Sanders when he returns home from college and resumes a relationship with Ginny Sue his high school sweetheart who lives on a neighboring farm.

This is story is not just about love and sex, but the meaning of civil rights is explored just as passionately as Ricky and Ginny Sue get to know each other better. The framework revolves around how Ricky has to give up his summer plans to get involved in freedom marches and sit-ins which take place in Alabama with the peaceful demonstrations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Ricky’s dad has an accident, which incapacitates him for the summer months that are most important to a farmer. Dad is wheel chair bound after tipping a tractor over on him and Ricky must do the farming chores.

A relationship between Ricky and his dad strained through the years because Ricky had gone to Cornell for his college education. Dad had wanted him to become more involved in the farm, but Ricky had plans that are more ambitious for his life, which did not include the farm. The accident changed the need for family, as the crops were now more important than any personal ambitions.

Sunday school at church became an outlet for Ricky to vent his civil rights feelings. He was able, with the assistance of Ginny Sue, to put forth some rather riske’ play acting to portray the Negro plight in America. However, this was not the concern of the people living in this small Colorado town who had a negative black population. Their concern was more for the Hispanics who lived among them.

Terry Marshall’s background as a Head Start director, activist, and protestor in a small town such as Soda Springs brings credence to the descriptive activities portrayed in this book. Interspersed throughout the book are references to real occurrences, but these are done to set the scene rather than comment upon them.

“Soda Springs” is an adult book. Sex plays a part in the relationship, which develops between Ricky and Ginny Sue, but also with the rest of the characters who recognize how this couple has maturated beyond high school. There is a coming of age seen by adults as normal, but with the need to take precautions before untimely pregnancy intervenes. This is not an openly profane book and the topic, though suggestive, has a delicate balance of civility.

Conflict with some of the characters adds suspense and how they interact adds to this novel. Terry Marshall brings a glimpse into the past to life with richly illustrated drawings by Chuck Asay. This is a highly recommended 4 star book.

Civil Rights in a small Colorado town in 1963 by Terry Marshall’s “Soda Springs” in his novel of “Love, Sex, and Civil Rights.” Young love of Ricky Sanders when he returns home from college and resumes a relationship with Ginny Sue his high school sweetheart who lives on a neighboring farm.

This is story is not just about love and sex, but the meaning of civil rights is explored just as passionately as Ricky and Ginny Sue get to know each other better. The framework revolves around how Ricky has to give up his summer plans to get involved in freedom marches and sit-ins which take place in Alabama with the peaceful demonstrations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Ricky’s dad has an accident, which incapacitates him for the summer months that are most important to a farmer. Dad is wheel chair bound after tipping a tractor over on him and Ricky must do the farming chores.

A relationship between Ricky and his dad strained through the years because Ricky had gone to Cornell for his college education. Dad had wanted him to become more involved in the farm, but Ricky had plans that are more ambitious for his life, which did not include the farm. The accident changed the need for family, as the crops were now more important than any personal ambitions.

Sunday school at church became an outlet for Ricky to vent his civil rights feelings. He was able, with the assistance of Ginny Sue, to put forth some rather riske’ play acting to portray the Negro plight in America. However, this was not the concern of the people living in this small Colorado town who had a negative black population. Their concern was more for the Hispanics who lived among them.

Terry Marshall’s background as a Head Start director, activist, and protestor in a small town such as Soda Springs brings credence to the descriptive activities portrayed in this book. Interspersed throughout the book are references to real occurrences, but these are done to set the scene rather than comment upon them.

“Soda Springs” is an adult book. Sex plays a part in the relationship, which develops between Ricky and Ginny Sue, but also with the rest of the characters who recognize how this couple has maturated beyond high school. There is a coming of age seen by adults as normal, but with the need to take precautions before untimely pregnancy intervenes. This is not an openly profane book and the topic, though suggestive, has a delicate balance of civility.

Conflict with some of the characters adds suspense and how they interact adds to this novel. Terry Marshall brings a glimpse into the past to life with richly illustrated drawings by Chuck Asay. This is a highly recommended 4 star book. ( )