Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Pérez
In 1937, in Texas, there are a lot of rules, and the town will let you know when you’ve broken them. But what do you do when you want to break the rules for love? Despite ongoing segregation in the school districts that still follow strict rules on race, high schoolers Naomi and Wash find each other and work to navigate their relationship. Between her Mexican American heritage, his African American roots, and a town bent on keeping every group to themselves, the choice to be together doesn’t seem to be their choice alone.
Set against the backdrop of the New London school explosion, this book was a finalist for the Michael L. Printz Award, a young adult literature prize. By 2022, it was banned in at least 29 school districts (many in Texas), with parents objecting to explicit scenes and language.
Come to Create Good Co.’s Book Club to celebrate banned books with us on Wednesday, May 14 at 6:00 to talk about Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Pérez. We’ll be picking our next read, and space is limited, so get your ticket to claim your spot!
Support your local bookstore around the corner – Create Good is partnering with Old Firehouse Books where you can get 20% off our book club picks. Mention us when you pick up this month’s purchase for the discount!

Come to Create Good Co.’s Book Club on Wednesday, April 2 6:00 to talk about Where’d You Go Bernadette? by Maria Semple. We’ll be picking our next read, and space is limited, so get your ticket to claim your spot!