You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
Good middle grade book introducing kids to the injustices faced by Black children and their families in this country. Really depressing and morbid (it's about the ghosts of dead Black boys) but it tries to end on a hopeful note.
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
Started this months ago and then keep getting distracted by other books so I finally picked it back up and plowed through this quick but heavy read. If you need a door opener to talking about racial injustice with kids this book is it and be prepared to talk about it with your students or kids.
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is a very good introduction to police brutality & racism. I read it in one sitting, and it was good, but I could not say I was very enthralled. I don't like the way the conflict between the officer's daughter and her was "resolved". It didn't say anything to me and if anything felt like a contrived way to side with the officer in *some* way. All that aside I think this would be a good book for my little sister to read either now or next year.
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
This was a great eye opening book that tackles a tough realistic problem. It saddened me and also provided me with better insight and understanding.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Grief, Murder
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
I don't read a LOT of young adult/children's lit anymore, so I had to keep that in mind while reading. Mostly because I feel this book is pretty simplistic for an adult, but for a young teen it's probably just about right.
[Though I'd be surprised if kids of an age didn't already know about Emmitt Till at some level of detail--spoiling-but-not-really-spoiling the reveal (but then again, this was on a challenged/banned book list, so maybe kids won't anymore if certain groups get their way). ]
Anyway, the messaging is deftly done and heart-felt, and this is a powerful way to narrate a first-person experience of police violence. It's a quick and meaningful read.
[Though I'd be surprised if kids of an age didn't already know about Emmitt Till at some level of detail--spoiling-but-not-really-spoiling the reveal (but then again, this was on a challenged/banned book list, so maybe kids won't anymore if certain groups get their way). ]
Anyway, the messaging is deftly done and heart-felt, and this is a powerful way to narrate a first-person experience of police violence. It's a quick and meaningful read.