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gloomypanda's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Racism, Grief, Child abuse, Violence, Physical abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Murder, Sexual harassment, Cursing, Misogyny, Bullying, Hate crime, Racism, Slavery, Fire/Fire injury, Police brutality, Sexism, Classism, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, and Rape
brandilovesbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Robbie is sent to a segregated boys reformatory school after he kicks a white boy who had been making inappropriate comments about his sister.
Just asking about kids who have tried to escape gets Robbie sent to the Fun House, a place for punishment.
Robbie and Gloria are the main points of view.
Occasionally the warden has a turn with his point of view. Due does an amazing job creating an evil character who leaves the reader with incredibly visceral reactions.
I recommend this book to people of every color who need to know what Jim Crow was like. I also recommend it for people who believe in haints (ghosts). It is a wonderful story of friendship, sibling relationship, and family.
I do have some content warnings- very detailed description of fire and dying in a fire, very disturbing look into the thoughts of a sociopath, multiple forms of abuse, violence, guns and gun violence, rape, racial slurs, cursing, death.
Graphic: Blood, Religious bigotry, Bullying, Child abuse, Racism, Child death, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Torture, Rape, Pedophilia, Cursing, Death, Physical abuse, Murder, Violence, Classism, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Gun violence, Grief, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, and Sexual harassment
passionyoungwrites's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
🏫
Honestly, the mixture of historical fiction, and horror made this read an enjoyable one. Though, I feel the author caressed many relevant topics to ensure us that not much has changed for Black folk in regards to the “system”. Not much has changed of white “privilege” and even then in 1950 - many people of the white race only felt they could do so much to help in their own way with fear that their own lives would be torn apart.
🏫
A twelve year old sent to a prison alternative, with limited family / community support, and relying on his sister for a solution. A town ran by corrupt officials, Klan, and a section black neighbors whose well-being are in jeopardy due to “attempting” to change a verdict. Ghosts of the past, showing their struggles and truths of the ones who wronged while at The Reformatory to the little ones of Gracetown.
🏫
The truth of this story was heartfelt, though, I was glad to see that there will always be rebels standing for what’s right - even if it meant risking everything you know and have.
This is a must read and a fav already. And the narrator for the audio was 🔥!!
Graphic: Racism, Child abuse, Racial slurs, Hate crime, and Classism
Moderate: Violence, Deadnaming, Forced institutionalization, Bullying, Child death, Classism, and Physical abuse
Minor: Rape, Torture, and Murder
grimdark_dad's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Slavery, Child death, Antisemitism, Blood, Hate crime, Homophobia, Bullying, Cancer, Classism, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Rape, Racial slurs, Racism, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Pedophilia, Abandonment, Alcohol, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Violence, and Vomit