The Drowning of Stephan Jones — Bette Greene

Carla Wayland feels like the happiest girl in the world -- her longtime crush, star quarterback Andy Harris, seems to feel the same way about her. Around them, the country is erupting with arguments and demonstrations both for and against gay rights. But Carla certainly doesn't know anyone who is gay, not in her small hometown of Rachetville, Arkansas. While everyone says homosexuality is a sin, Carla doesn't know what to think. But her mother, the town librarian, always stands up for what she knows is right, even when it isn't popular, and Carla loves her for that. Then Frank Montgomery and Stephan Jones, a gay couple, move into town. Tempers flare, and the town's friendly residents -- led by the Baptist preacher, Reverend Roland Wheelwright -- soon show their true colors. Carla is horrified, but even Andy seems to agree that homosexuality is an abomination, to be wiped out. When Andy and his friends take their cause a little too far, will Carla be able to defy the majority and speak up for justice?