Scan barcode
Reviews tagging 'Racism'
Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman by Kristen R. Lee
12 reviews
drphillgucci's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Classism, Cursing, Hate crime, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Drug use, Racism, Sexism, and Gaslighting
tahsintries's review
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Hate crime
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Classism
hello_lovely13's review
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Bullying, and Racism
Moderate: Drug use, Drug abuse, Police brutality, Classism, and Hate crime
utopiastateofmind's review
5.0
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
TW: microaggressions, colorism
The feeling of growing up or spending time in a mostly white space is utterly relatable for me. While my college wasn't as homogeneous as Savannah's, I experienced high school with microaggresions I didn't even realize at the time. Yet the racism that Savannah experiences is on another level. Chasing the pride of the prestige, Savannah's family and her are set on the glory. But she doesn't realize the burden of the racism which falls heavily on her shoulders. The ways that these spaces revolve around apologizing for each other only.
That rarely see a need for change and gaslight you when you demand one. There Savannah has to balance her self and her identity. To wonder if she should play the game knowing that the stakes are even higher for her. Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman is rage inducing from the beginning. How the racism descends like a fog, submerging us into a culture of excuses for certain people. The way the white privilege and majority seek to excuse their behaviors - any excuse to not interrrogate their own selves.
TW: microaggressions, colorism
The feeling of growing up or spending time in a mostly white space is utterly relatable for me. While my college wasn't as homogeneous as Savannah's, I experienced high school with microaggresions I didn't even realize at the time. Yet the racism that Savannah experiences is on another level. Chasing the pride of the prestige, Savannah's family and her are set on the glory. But she doesn't realize the burden of the racism which falls heavily on her shoulders. The ways that these spaces revolve around apologizing for each other only.
That rarely see a need for change and gaslight you when you demand one. There Savannah has to balance her self and her identity. To wonder if she should play the game knowing that the stakes are even higher for her. Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman is rage inducing from the beginning. How the racism descends like a fog, submerging us into a culture of excuses for certain people. The way the white privilege and majority seek to excuse their behaviors - any excuse to not interrrogate their own selves.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
halfbloodprincess_hogwarts's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.75
I enjoyed this intro of our MC Savannah first time moving away from home for her first year of college.
She could not even deal with the emotions of being away from home because all this racist shit and people are thrown in her face. But the racist folk continue to get away with their foolishness and instead those who stand up to them are the only ones reeping repercussions.
It truly angered me and I
wish SOMETHING would just happen to them.
At the end of her first year, Savanah applies to Booker T. Washington's University, is accepted and left for her own protection of mind and space.
I'd leave too, knowing those racists' will eventually receive their karma, but just to have a piece of mind. People seriously act like anyone asked to be put with so many people with hate.π
Trust me when I say, if people could segregate themselves from hateful folk....they could seriously group up and leave and NO ONE would come looking for themππΌππΌππΌ
She could not even deal with the emotions of being away from home because all this racist shit and people are thrown in her face. But the racist folk continue to get away with their foolishness and instead those who stand up to them are the only ones reeping repercussions.
It truly angered me and I
wish SOMETHING would just happen to them.
At the end of her first year, Savanah applies to Booker T. Washington's University, is accepted and left for her own protection of mind and space.
I'd leave too, knowing those racists' will eventually receive their karma, but just to have a piece of mind. People seriously act like anyone asked to be put with so many people with hate.π
Trust me when I say, if people could segregate themselves from hateful folk....they could seriously group up and leave and NO ONE would come looking for themππΌππΌππΌ
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Racism, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, and Violence
i_am_selinam's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Hate crime, Drug abuse, and Racial slurs
readingwithkelsey's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book and finished it in two sittings! Even though I received this as an arc (I am a little late on my reviews), I listened to this on audio and Kacie Rogers was a fantastic narrator. She kept me completely engaged in the narrative and gave a really great voice to our main characters Savannah. Speaking of, I loved Savannah as a main character because she is persistent in what she believes in and what she wants but she is also a young teenager who is scared despite her strength! The novel does a great job tackling racism and racial injustices experienced by black students and the white privilege that benefits the white students. It was frustrating for Savannah and the sentiment is shared with readers through Lee's writing. I feel like the book leaves off on a really realistic note/tone and I really appreciated that. Looking forward to reading more from Lee in the future because this was a great read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
terryegreen's review against another edition
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
Minor: Police brutality
readwithcarly's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
Wow, wow, wow. I flew through "Required Reading" in the span of a day. This story is powerful and gripping, and will have you sucked in from page one. Although it is quick-paced, it is heavy and challenging at times, as the main character, Savannah, is attacked with racial slurs and actions throughout the book.
Although there are several compelling components to this book, I was most drawn to Savannah's character. I admire her for her passion and ability to stay true to who she is, no matter her circumstance. She is strong and incredibly brave for speaking up and starting a movement in response to the racism she and other Wooddale students (past and present) have experienced for generations. She is determined to unearth what goes on behind closed doors at Wooddale, even if it means she has to sacrifice her full-ride scholarship to this Ivy League institution.
I loved watching Savannah grow, find her voice, and prioritize her happiness by creating her own path. She learns that she does not have to change who she is in order to fit in. You too, will be rooting for her throughout the entire book.
This book should be required in every school. It is hard-hitting and emotional for any reader, and can be extremely educational for those who have not experienced racism and/or elitism in the American educational system or in other areas of the real world. I recommend this book if you are looking for an educational, gripping YA contemporary read!
Thank you to Kristen R. Lee, Crown Books for Young Readers, NetGalley, and Turn the Page Tours for the eARC!
Although there are several compelling components to this book, I was most drawn to Savannah's character. I admire her for her passion and ability to stay true to who she is, no matter her circumstance. She is strong and incredibly brave for speaking up and starting a movement in response to the racism she and other Wooddale students (past and present) have experienced for generations. She is determined to unearth what goes on behind closed doors at Wooddale, even if it means she has to sacrifice her full-ride scholarship to this Ivy League institution.
I loved watching Savannah grow, find her voice, and prioritize her happiness by creating her own path. She learns that she does not have to change who she is in order to fit in. You too, will be rooting for her throughout the entire book.
This book should be required in every school. It is hard-hitting and emotional for any reader, and can be extremely educational for those who have not experienced racism and/or elitism in the American educational system or in other areas of the real world. I recommend this book if you are looking for an educational, gripping YA contemporary read!
Thank you to Kristen R. Lee, Crown Books for Young Readers, NetGalley, and Turn the Page Tours for the eARC!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
jenny_librarian's review
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
DNF at 20% because all the side characters are so one-dimensional I canβt even appreciate the issue. ALL of them sound like caricatures, even the Black side characters. The only one properly fleshed out is Savannah, the MC.
DNF at 20% because all the side characters are so one-dimensional I canβt even appreciate the issue. ALL of them sound like caricatures, even the Black side characters. The only one properly fleshed out is Savannah, the MC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism