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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
There’s no way to get through this one without lots of tears. An accessible, quick read, but very intense and bleak (though appropriately, considering the topic). The blending of Emmet Till’s story with Jerome’s was done seamlessly. It reminded me of a simpler version of Sing, Unburied, Sing in the way history was used to help tell a sadly contemporary story. A must-have middle school novel.
fast-paced
Finished this book in about 2 hours. It’s a great introduction to books for black history month- didn’t realize it was a middle school book until I read some reviews. Super easy read.
This book made me think. It also frustrated me a bit. It’s not his responsibility to educate or make someone else (let alone the daughter of the cop who killed him) feel better.
I understood the concept of it- forgive, be better people, educate others and the world will change for better itself.
That being said- It’s not self defense to shoot a burglar in the back in your house, so why is it self defense or not criminal for a police to do it to a child?
I appreciated some other history in the book that I was too sheltered to know. Emotional book overall.
4/5
This book made me think. It also frustrated me a bit. It’s not his responsibility to educate or make someone else (let alone the daughter of the cop who killed him) feel better.
I understood the concept of it- forgive, be better people, educate others and the world will change for better itself.
That being said- It’s not self defense to shoot a burglar in the back in your house, so why is it self defense or not criminal for a police to do it to a child?
I appreciated some other history in the book that I was too sheltered to know. Emotional book overall.
4/5
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is an extremely well-crafted middle grade book and an excellent starting point for discussions around the BlackLives Matter movement, race violence and police shootings. The book is written with a deft hand and not too heavy for younger audiences.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-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:
Complicated
Hot damn I am raw heartsore after reading this. A brutally loving homage to all the Black boys taken too young by a racist world. A deft mix of realism-horror and fantasy-horror.
Upper middle grade for stronger readers with discussion, or middle school with discussion.
Upper middle grade for stronger readers with discussion, or middle school with discussion.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced