Reviews

Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles

regina_1's review

dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This book is well-written and really brings the reader in. It discusses themes about racism, Black Lives Matter, and activism. After reading this book, I wish things are better than what they are, but discrimination and racism are still seen in our world today and this book solidifies it. This is because all the events in the novel brought me back to the murder of George Floyd in 2020, and to the events that happened in Minneapolis following the murder. It makes you question how far has our world come and how far it has yet to go until black lives fully matter. 

The story follows Marvin Johnson, who is a senior in Sterling Point, Alabama. Marvin and his friends face many experiences of racial hate from police officers. One night at a party the sound of gun shots ring out through the noise. Marvin goes looking for his brother but cannot find him. After contacting the police station, sending out detectives, and a video being leaked Tyler, Marvin's brother, is found. Marvin fights for justice and equality. At the end of the story, it leaves you questioning, what is Marvin's life like? How many people in our world have been in Marvin's shoes? Will our country ever change and grow? 

I recommend this novel before reading "The Hate U Give". It is little bit of a lower reading level, but brings up the same themetic messages. It is an easy page turner and a great plot to follow. At times, I felt the book jumped from point to point drastically, but it had to because there were so many story lines happening. 

anayaix's review

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

minutebyminute's review

dark inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

justgeorgie's review

challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.5

ok so i picked up this YA book bc i wanted to read some modern ya and this looked interesting, and i was interested to see a book tackle police brutality and racism while being for a younger audience. however, i rlly did not like this book. the topic is important, absolutely, and it’s also important that ya covers topics like this explicitly. the book reads like a first draft for the story - it’s very much This happened, this happened, this happened etc for nearly 300 pages. the characters are two dimensional and boring, and there’s loads of plot holes or topics that are never mentioned again. the relationship between faith and marvin isn’t developed, i have no idea why they started hanging out, and overall this book was just rlly disappointing

instalovewithbooks's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Police brutality, and Murder

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Drug use and Suicidal thoughts

bookbrig's review

challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

 I've been waiting for this since I first saw the beautiful cover, and it lives up to the art. Give this to your readers who love The Hate U Give or Dear Martin. Also, read with tissues nearby. 

booksbybrady's review

emotional reflective medium-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

4.25

This book is highly comparable to "Dear Martin". Almost too much. I really did like how this book focused a lot on the grief process for the black community when facing racism and police brutality. It is different than a grief that I feel or that I could ever feel. I was really moved by Chapter 26, the protest. I am not a violent person but I think that it is so important to recognize that when violence happens in a protest, it is coming from a place of passion, anger, fear, grief, and a desire to be heard. To me this book was all about wanting to be heard...both from the character and the author. I want to remember what I felt and learned while reading this book. 

knbattle's review

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

ameli2na's review

Really wanted to read this but I just don't think I'm in the proper head space to get into something this heavy. (I was seriously tearing up almost instantly).

allonsythornraxx's review

4.0

06/05/18
I don't remember the last time I read a full book in one day but I guess here we are. I loved this and I wish everyone would read it. This book is fantastic and I'll be honest I can't formulate my thoughts properly right now.