Missing Isaac by Valerie Fraser Luesse

Sweet tea, long summer nights catching fireflies and everybody knowing everybody's business is what we think of small towns in the South but Glory, Alabama in the early 60's  is not that kind of town. Racial and class discrimination rules everywhere but in Pete's world.  He had grown up in Isaac's shadow even before his dad died and then Isaac became his best friend and the big brother he never had.  Pete never saw color and he never thought he was better because his family had more.  When Isaac disappears one night Pete's world is turned upside down and in his attempt to find Isaac he discovers the one person who can make it right.  Dovey Pickett has grown up with only her reclusive family far back in the woods where no one ever goes.  She meets Pete and suddenly she wants more.
As Pete and his family work to uncover what happened to Isaac he will learn to love and fight the hatred around him.  This is a beautifully crafted story of good and evil but it is also a stunning portrait of the South.  Pour yourself a tall glass of sweet tea, park yourself on a porch rocker and enjoy.