Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
60/70 for Mama in 2021
I loved the premise of this story, but the writing fell flat for me. I felt like the author did too much telling and not enough showing, and like she underestimated the intelligence of her audience. Yes, it’s YA, but teenagers don’t need everything spelled out for them. The characters also felt one-dimensional. Overall felt quite disappointed with this one. Maybe my expectations were too high after reading other Black American YA lit like that by Angie Thomas.
I loved the premise of this story, but the writing fell flat for me. I felt like the author did too much telling and not enough showing, and like she underestimated the intelligence of her audience. Yes, it’s YA, but teenagers don’t need everything spelled out for them. The characters also felt one-dimensional. Overall felt quite disappointed with this one. Maybe my expectations were too high after reading other Black American YA lit like that by Angie Thomas.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Angel of Greenwood tells the story of two unlikely teenagers falling in love in Greenwood, Oklahoma in 1921. Angel is a star student, churchgoer, lover of Booker T Washington, and dancer who wants to take care of everyone from her ailing father to the baby next door. Isaiah loves the works of W.E.B. DuBois, writing poetry, and hanging out with the town bully, Muggy, to secure his social standing.
The two are brought together for a special summer job opportunity.
But the unexpected happens. Greenwood, a thriving Black Wall Street, is attacked and everyone will have to put aside their differences to save their town.
Beautifully written fiction about a little known piece of history.
Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced reading copy!
The two are brought together for a special summer job opportunity.
But the unexpected happens. Greenwood, a thriving Black Wall Street, is attacked and everyone will have to put aside their differences to save their town.
Beautifully written fiction about a little known piece of history.
Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced reading copy!
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A short, succinct depiction of a time of young and budding love, of a normal life, that suddenly builds into chaos, presenting the harsh reality that was 1921 Greenwood. My only real complaint is that I wish it were about a 100 pages longer. I just wanted more time with the characters and Isaiah's poetry. To see more growth. To see more from the book service. But perhaps that is a metaphor in itself, you cannot control the outside forces that can suddenly take control and change your entire life.
I think it is a great book… I love the way. Two characters explain the philosophy of Booker T. Washington and WEB DuBois. I had read dreamland burning, which was more background on the Tulsa massacre. However, this book gives a complete different viewpoint with the kids being right in the midst of it trying to save folks.
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
A heartbreaking and shameful story of racism in our country. There is hope and love within these pages. It doesn't make the tragedy hurt less, but it displays the resilience and strength of the oppressed and what can be done if we stand strong in our belief of freedom and fairness for all.
4.5 Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC! A beautifully written way to introduce Black Wall Street/Greenwood/the Tulsa Race Massacre to teens (think 7th grade up). Angel & Isaiah's love story is elegant and honest throughout. Pink has Angel arguing for Booker T. Washington and Isaiah obsessed with W.E.B. DuBois, a smartly nuanced way to introduce these writer/thinkers and their opposition and influence. Greenwood itself is the 3rd major character, and the chapters are set as a countdown to the night of the massacre. Pink doesn't shy away from the realistic horrors and also uses a few scenes from that night to complete redemptive character arcs. The writing was occasionally a little repetitive but that's a tiny quibble in a mostly flawless book. Emotional and necessary, this should definitely find readers!
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
"But for a Black man in a stranger's nation, are we ever truly safe? And too, whose nation even is this? Whose land are we walking on right now? Sure isn't theirs."
I waited so long to read this book, constantly pushing it down my TBR in favor of other, less heavy, stories. I regret it. This story is so important AND so beautifully and heartbreakingly written.
The thing about historical fiction is that, even if you know what happens, you usually only know the surface-level facts (if that). Sitting with these (fictional) characters and watching their families, their love, and their terror when their world is ripped apart, truly makes it real for the reader. It’s a shame that it takes walking in someone’s shoes (in a sense) for that to be true of tragedies like the Tulsa Race Massacre.
This novel didn’t just bring those horrible days to life - it brought Black Wall Street, its people, and all it symbolized the forefront of the story. Angel and Isaiah are perfect MCs to follow, and I adored them.
I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that this bit of history is rarely (if ever) taught in schools. I would recommend this book to friends, but I would especially recommend it to friends’ teenaged-and-older kids. In this day and age, we need to educate ourselves. I’m so glad Randi Pink wrote this amazing novel and brought more attention to this dark (but not unique) part of US history.
“And surely they won't burn down the Lord's house. They call themselves Christians, after all.” Down deep, Isaiah knew his words were empty and false.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence