Out of Darkness is a historical young adult novel by Ashley Hope Pérez, published September 1, 2015 by Carolrhoda Lab.

[1] Juan Castillo of NBC News wrote that Out of Darkness "stares unflinchingly at racism, classism, segregation and the people who live on the margins of society.

Seventeen-year old Naomi Vargas,[4] a high school senior who originates from San Antonio, moves in with her oil field worker stepfather.

[7] Kirkus Reviews called the book a "powerful, layered tale of forbidden love in times of unrelenting racism.

... Set against the backdrop of an actual historical event, Pérez's young adult novel gives voice to many long-omitted facets of U.S.

"[7] Booklist praised the "skillful use of multiple perspectives," saying that "[e]legant prose and gently escalating action will leave readers gasping for breath at the tragic climax and moving conclusion.

"[5] NBC News wrote, "Early reviews have been flattering, suggesting Pérez is positioned to continue her run of success in the Young Adult genre.

"[18] On September 15, 2021, the book was challenged at a Lake Travis Independent School District board meeting in Austin, Texas, by a parent who interrupted a board meeting to request that the book be removed from the libraries of the district’s two middle schools due to sexually explicit content including anal sex.

I was including the reality of what the (Mexican-American) character has to navigate.”[17] Perez also stated that she wondered whether the critique was toward the racism of the 1930s rather than profane language.