Devils Within

Painful, powerful story about rejecting white supremacy.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Devils Within is a contemporary realistic novel by S.F. Henson that received the American Library Association's 2018 William C. Morris Honor for best young adult first book. The novel follows Nate, a 16-year-old who killed his father -- the leader of a white supremacist group/compound -- in self-defense. While hiding from his father's minions at the home of an estranged uncle, Nate becomes friends with a nonwhite person for the first time: Brandon, a black classmate. The book, which is inspired by true events around the United States, describes the dogmatic racism white supremacists believe in, as well as the secret violence many domestic white nationalism groups engage in against people of color, Jews, Muslims, etc. It can be difficult to read at times, but it will spark many conversations about race and racism, the difference between pride in European heritage and white supremacy, and more.
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What's the Story?
DEVILS WITHIN is the story of 16-year-old Nate, who grew up in a violent white supremacist compound called the Fort and killed his abusive father, the group's dogmatic leader, in self-defense. The courts order Nate into the care of his estranged maternal uncle, who tentatively moves Nate in with him (and his Asian American girlfriend) in their small town down South. Despite Nate's new alias and town, he has recurring nightmares about his father and worries that the Fort will find and kill him. At his new high school, Nate finds an unlikely friend in Brandon, the first black person he's ever gotten to know. But the press and the past (Nate had previously hurt people of color under direct orders from his father) threaten his safety -- and that of his family and new friends.
Is It Any Good?
S.F. Henson's novel is an important, if heartbreaking, story of what it's like to grow up in the world of white supremacy -- and then desperately try to climb out of it. Devils Within can be difficult to read, because the protagonist, Nate, shares all of the corrosive ideology he was raised believing. Despite being an intimidating teen -- 6-foot-2, muscular -- he's very fragile and emotionally vulnerable after being forced to kill his father, and he's constantly worrying for his safety. His relationship with his only living relative -- his uncle Dell (who was also once a neo-Nazi but now has a serious Asian girlfriend, Bev) -- is strained, and the only seemingly uncomplicated friendship is a new one initiated by an African American classmate, Brandon. At first, Nate is hesitant about befriending Brandon, never having had a friend who wasn't white, but their friendship is the one positive aspect of Nate's life, so naturally Nate can't tell Brandon about his lifelong connection to a white supremacist group.
Henson, who grew up in the Deep South, has been vocal about the fact that most white teens don't grow up around the sort of extreme and overt racism she portrays in the book. But she does believe many white readers will relate to Nate and Brandon's classmates, who don't automatically dismiss or fight against the messages of white power and supremacy the Fort plasters around town. Readers will recognize the classmates and teammates who are fine playing basketball with Brandon but wouldn't want to eat at his house, who could never date anyone who isn't white, or who blame nonwhites, immigrants, etc., for bringing down their community or the country as a whole. Right now, it's important to acknowledge white supremacy in all its forms, from the extreme to the subtle, and Henson does a powerful job exposing the various ways white power manifests itself.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether there are any role models in Devils Within. Who are they and what character strengths do they exemplify?
The author says events in the book are based on various true stories. How does white supremacy affect American culture? Why is it important to talk about race and other social issues with friends and family?
The author's note discusses how she was brought up around casual racism in the South. Is it better to ignore or confront people who make overtly or even subtly racist comments/jokes? What are the benefits and disadvantages of each approach? What strategies could you use when others use racist language in conversation?
What does Nate learn about being friends with people who don't look like him? Why is it important to be friends with and care about all kinds of people?
Book Details
- Author: S.F. Henson
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
- Topics: Friendship, High School
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Sky Pony Press
- Publication date: October 31, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 18
- Number of pages: 390
- Available on: Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated: April 12, 2018
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