Is Sam’s father, Roland Childs, a real historical figure? Is Sam’s story real?

The Rock and the River is a fictional (made-up) story, but it is based on some real historical events. None of the main characters in the book are named for real people. The book does refer to some real people, though, like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Fred Hampton, who was the leader of the Chicago Black Panther Party. I consider Sam’s story real because a lot of young teenagers faced the choice that Sam faces in the book—whether to remain a part of the civil rights movement, or join the Black Panther Party.