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homieloverfriendx's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
It took some time for me to get into this book because the pace was a bit slow for my liking. About halfway through though I was not able to put the book down and even cried.
shannon_reidwheat's review
4.0
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars
I enjoyed this book very much. I'd like to say it opened my eyes some, but sadly we all should be familiar with the blatant racism too many in our country condone and encourage daily.
This was done very well and kept me engaged for the entire book. I flew through it! Highly recommend this to all readers, young and old.
4.5 stars
I enjoyed this book very much. I'd like to say it opened my eyes some, but sadly we all should be familiar with the blatant racism too many in our country condone and encourage daily.
This was done very well and kept me engaged for the entire book. I flew through it! Highly recommend this to all readers, young and old.
book_buddy_rob's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
thenextgenlibrarian's review
5.0
A Colin Kaepernick-inspired YA sports novel that shows silence is violence.
caylieratzlaff's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4/5 stars.
While many, MANY novels have come out surrounding the BLM movement (all of which have been fantastic, harrowing, and eye opening) there have been few written from the perspective of a black man, and even fewer written from sports. Based on the kneeling during the anthem from Kaepernick, this story follows Rus and Marion, two black HS football players from Louisiana, who find themselves in the midst of what they only had ever read about on the news.
This story kind of reminded me of All American Boys and THUG, but was unique with the sports element thrown in. Rus' family can't afford to have him throw away his shot at football -- his ticket out of their town -- but Rus is tired of holding back his voice. Tied in with an English teacher who inspires them to use their voice and Gabby who inspires Rus...this novel had me pulled in.
I will say it took a while to get into, just because 1) I don't do football and 2) I was really irritated with everyone reprimanding Rus for his choice to kneel because god forbid things happen to football. While it gets explained, I think it did the point of the novel some disservice. They focus on silence is violence, but it takes until the end of the novel for people to let up on Rus and his decisions. I also think the romance with Gabby was slightly unnecessary.
Overall, 4/5 stars for a debut. I'm looking forward to recommending this to my students -- especially those who play football.
While many, MANY novels have come out surrounding the BLM movement (all of which have been fantastic, harrowing, and eye opening) there have been few written from the perspective of a black man, and even fewer written from sports. Based on the kneeling during the anthem from Kaepernick, this story follows Rus and Marion, two black HS football players from Louisiana, who find themselves in the midst of what they only had ever read about on the news.
This story kind of reminded me of All American Boys and THUG, but was unique with the sports element thrown in. Rus' family can't afford to have him throw away his shot at football -- his ticket out of their town -- but Rus is tired of holding back his voice. Tied in with an English teacher who inspires them to use their voice and Gabby who inspires Rus...this novel had me pulled in.
I will say it took a while to get into, just because 1) I don't do football and 2) I was really irritated with everyone reprimanding Rus for his choice to kneel because god forbid things happen to football. While it gets explained, I think it did the point of the novel some disservice. They focus on silence is violence, but it takes until the end of the novel for people to let up on Rus and his decisions. I also think the romance with Gabby was slightly unnecessary.
Overall, 4/5 stars for a debut. I'm looking forward to recommending this to my students -- especially those who play football.
mzgeee53's review
5.0
Kneel by Candace Buford was one of the choices on my English 10's justice book club unit picked by a group of my sports-loving boys. It's about 17 yo Russel, the co-captain of a HS football team in rural Louisiana. He has big dreams of a Division 1 football scholarship to break away from his highly segregated community. When his team plays the neighboring white school and his co-captain and best friend, Marion, is unfairly arrested for standing up to the racist bullying of the other team, all of their scholarship dreams end up in jeopardy. There was also recently a murder of a young black boy -- Dante Maynard -- in Shreveport and the officer responsible for it now lives in Russel's community. With the support of his crush, Gabby, Russel gains the courage to kneel during the national anthem at football games for justice for Marion and Dante, despite the backlash and criticism waiting for him on the other side of nonviolent protest. Russel learns about the importance of nonviolent direct action, its sacrifices, and its impact. Such a great read!
greenvillemelissa's review
5.0
Powerful timely realistic YA fiction that deals with racism, peer pressure, dysfunctional families and more heavy issues. It's a quick read and the football team element will make this a great read for reluctant male readers. Gabby is a strong, intelligent female character and the romance between her and the main character Rus will hook the teen girls. I recommend it.
thenextgenlib's review
5.0
A Colin Kaepernick-inspired YA sports novel that shows silence is violence.