The Color of a Lie

Gr 7 Up–It is 1955 in Levittown, PA, and Calvin Greene and his parents have moved from Chicago. Levittowns refer to mass-produced housing developments in post-war America, created by a company called Levitt & Sons, which legally excluded people of color. The Greene family is Black, and moving to Levittown begins a ruse where they hide their identity and pass for white. Calvin is very unhappy about being uprooted from his valued Black culture in Chicago, including friends, family, and language. His parents, led by his dad, are seeking the American Dream and are willing to take drastic measures. Each lie Calvin tells hurts and suffocates him, and soon he is lost, angry, and determined to make change. Reconnecting with his disowned brother Robert aids him in his intense desire to reconnect with his core values and true identity. Well researched, this historical fiction novel explores hidden identities, segregation, racial discrimination, and societal inequities that persist today due to deeply rooted historical laws and implications. Includes an author’s note and additional resources for exploring Levittown History, Homeownership and Redlining, Passing and Identity, and Traveling While Black.