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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
An amazing book covering important ideas. I was at first confused by all of the perspectives, but then when i caught on the book blew me away.
I didn't realize this was a sequel at first, and kind of wish I'd re-read How It Went Down before diving in. So glad to see the strength and growth some of the characters showed! And Robb--oh, Robb. You are me, and we are embarrassing.
I have CHILLS. People are SLEEPING ON THIS BOOK.
It really hurts that this is actually how the world works. I tried to explain it to a family member, and they said "well, it isn't based on a true story, so why be upset?" I mean, it might as well be.
Anyways, long story short, read this book.
It really hurts that this is actually how the world works. I tried to explain it to a family member, and they said "well, it isn't based on a true story, so why be upset?" I mean, it might as well be.
Anyways, long story short, read this book.
Timely and Sad
This book picks up about two years after the events in book one. I enjoyed getting more of that storyline. I think this sequel was a little better than the previous book. The author still delivered the story from the prospective of numerous characters. It worked out better this time. I still felt like some of the dialogue lacked authenticity. It just wasn’t believable for contemporary teenagers to use some of the outdated slang. While it felt like a complete story that doesn’t call for another book, she failed to update us on how everything unfolded for one of the main characters. I would like to get more of his story.
This book picks up about two years after the events in book one. I enjoyed getting more of that storyline. I think this sequel was a little better than the previous book. The author still delivered the story from the prospective of numerous characters. It worked out better this time. I still felt like some of the dialogue lacked authenticity. It just wasn’t believable for contemporary teenagers to use some of the outdated slang. While it felt like a complete story that doesn’t call for another book, she failed to update us on how everything unfolded for one of the main characters. I would like to get more of his story.
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thought that Kekla Magoon's Light It Up was a richly told, heartbreaking story. It is a reflection almost of what happens all too often to Black people and Black children. Read my full review here Link goes live 4/21/2021
This was a super solid read, told vignette style and eye opening from various points of view. A view from a scared witness, a view from a scared police officer who fired on (and killed) a child, a view from the head of a local gang, a view from a community organizer, a view from political pundits, a view from a white kid whose Black friends are impacted, a view from the best friend of the victim, told in rhyme and heartbreaking.
This will make you think. It will hurt your heart. It will make you rage.
This will make you think. It will hurt your heart. It will make you rage.
Joining other topical books like Dear Martin by Nic Stone, All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely, and of course Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give, this is a powerful narrative that can serve as an entry to the issue for white teens and perhaps a validation or reflection for teens of color.
Although the transition was generally seamless, perhaps I would have been better served by having read How It Went Down first. I was a little lost between all the characters, and even once I was able to keep them straight, I was left feeling as if the number of narratives made it difficult to get particularly deep with the individual characters. The ending also felt like hasty closure for many of the plotlines, and a lack of closure for many of them. While it might have been stylistic, reflecting the abruptness of the shift in national attention, it also made it feel even harder to maintain investment in the lives of the characters.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.
Although the transition was generally seamless, perhaps I would have been better served by having read How It Went Down first. I was a little lost between all the characters, and even once I was able to keep them straight, I was left feeling as if the number of narratives made it difficult to get particularly deep with the individual characters. The ending also felt like hasty closure for many of the plotlines, and a lack of closure for many of them. While it might have been stylistic, reflecting the abruptness of the shift in national attention, it also made it feel even harder to maintain investment in the lives of the characters.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.
Long story short...
Light It Up might as well be a work of non-fiction. A thirteen-year-old black child is murdered at the hands of a police officer. Does she get justice? Think of how many officers are actually charged and convicted of murdering a black citizen without justifiable cause in America and you'll have your answer.
Long story...
Light It Up is told in varying viewpoints including people in the lives of the victim, Shae Tatum, black leaders of non-profit organizations, black college students, a supposedly "woke" white boy, gang leaders, rookie cop, child of the murdering officer, and more. There is even a witness vignette that I especially enjoyed because it is written in the 2nd person and really made me as a reader feel like I was directly in the story. Definitely added to the intensity of life for me as a black woman living in America. Brought close to tears on more than one occasion.
Magoon is real and tells it like it is. This story dives into the struggles of being black in America and the different types of emotions we all can feel when one of our own is killed yet again. Everyone should read it and even though it's classified as fiction, can be used as an extremely educational tool.
Say their names. #TodayForShae #TomorrowForAll #ShaeTatum #BreonnaTaylor #AhmaudArbery #GeorgeFloyd #SandraBland #TrayvonMartin #EmmettTill #SeanBell #WayTooManyMoreNames #BlackLivesMatter
Light It Up might as well be a work of non-fiction. A thirteen-year-old black child is murdered at the hands of a police officer. Does she get justice? Think of how many officers are actually charged and convicted of murdering a black citizen without justifiable cause in America and you'll have your answer.
Long story...
Light It Up is told in varying viewpoints including people in the lives of the victim, Shae Tatum, black leaders of non-profit organizations, black college students, a supposedly "woke" white boy, gang leaders, rookie cop, child of the murdering officer, and more. There is even a witness vignette that I especially enjoyed because it is written in the 2nd person and really made me as a reader feel like I was directly in the story. Definitely added to the intensity of life for me as a black woman living in America. Brought close to tears on more than one occasion.
Magoon is real and tells it like it is. This story dives into the struggles of being black in America and the different types of emotions we all can feel when one of our own is killed yet again. Everyone should read it and even though it's classified as fiction, can be used as an extremely educational tool.
Say their names. #TodayForShae #TomorrowForAll #ShaeTatum #BreonnaTaylor #AhmaudArbery #GeorgeFloyd #SandraBland #TrayvonMartin #EmmettTill #SeanBell #WayTooManyMoreNames #BlackLivesMatter
It has happened again. This time, 13-year-old Shae Tatum is the victim. A girl just hurrying home with headphones on, not even realizing there’s a cop yelling for her to stop behind her. Now she’s dead, and the Underhill community is again thrown into chaos.
Tyrell may be away at college, but Shae’s death brings Tariq back into his thoughts. Tariq’s little sister, Tina, was a good friend of Shae’s. Brick’s little sister was too. Zeke wants to do something, and maybe his organization SCORE is the way to start a movement. Will is tagging, DeVonte is avoiding, and Robb is ignorant, not understanding what protesting could mean for his black friends. Officer Henderson is in hiding, but his young daughter Eva still must face her new bullies at school. So many people. So many emotions. But Underhill knows it’s time to light it up!
A fabulous companion novel to How It Went Down. Kekla Magoon’s gorgeous vignettes tell a harrowing tale about a community’s next fight for justice.
Tyrell may be away at college, but Shae’s death brings Tariq back into his thoughts. Tariq’s little sister, Tina, was a good friend of Shae’s. Brick’s little sister was too. Zeke wants to do something, and maybe his organization SCORE is the way to start a movement. Will is tagging, DeVonte is avoiding, and Robb is ignorant, not understanding what protesting could mean for his black friends. Officer Henderson is in hiding, but his young daughter Eva still must face her new bullies at school. So many people. So many emotions. But Underhill knows it’s time to light it up!
A fabulous companion novel to How It Went Down. Kekla Magoon’s gorgeous vignettes tell a harrowing tale about a community’s next fight for justice.