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mbs76's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
cosmicbookworm's review
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.75
4.75 Rounded to 5
Charity Alyse's debut novel, "Other Side of the Tracks," is a remarkable piece of literature that will stay in my heart for a long time. It is a profoundly impactful and hard-hitting novel that delves into the societal constraints endured by three teens in their racially divided towns. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is captivating.
The author skillfully introduces readers to Hamilton and Bayside, a pair of racially divided communities and their inhabitants. Through heartfelt character development, the reader becomes fully invested in the lives of two specific families and their communities as conflict unfolds within and between them.
The loss of a friend to police brutality becomes the catalyst for escalating conflict between Hamilton and Bayside. Charity Alyse is a gifted storyteller. Her ability to evoke empathy makes this book a must-read that will leave a lasting impression.
The believability of a couple of the characters is the only reason I cannot give a full five stars.
Charity Alyse's debut novel, "Other Side of the Tracks," is a remarkable piece of literature that will stay in my heart for a long time. It is a profoundly impactful and hard-hitting novel that delves into the societal constraints endured by three teens in their racially divided towns. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is captivating.
The author skillfully introduces readers to Hamilton and Bayside, a pair of racially divided communities and their inhabitants. Through heartfelt character development, the reader becomes fully invested in the lives of two specific families and their communities as conflict unfolds within and between them.
The loss of a friend to police brutality becomes the catalyst for escalating conflict between Hamilton and Bayside. Charity Alyse is a gifted storyteller. Her ability to evoke empathy makes this book a must-read that will leave a lasting impression.
The believability of a couple of the characters is the only reason I cannot give a full five stars.
lit_vibrations's review
4.0
The town of Bayside plagued with racism and the town of Hamilton held in bondage out of fear. Train tracks separate them from each other but being stuck in their ways is what keeps them apart.
Capri Collins once afraid to chase her dreams out of fear of what her grandmother would think. Justin Collins her brother with his hopes high on leaving Hamilton behind allows a careless act to cost him his future. Zach Whitman new to Bayside set out to find something that felt more like home back in Philly. Finds himself stuck in a time wrap and a full-blown war between Hamilton and Bayside.
I enjoyed reading this novel while it was a slow build it ended so powerfully. The ending took a turn I wasn’t expecting. Justice being served isn’t something seen to often in these type of situations. But the author touched on multiple themes from self-discovery, teen pregnancy, racism, segregation, family dynamics, and following your dreams.
We see firsthand what it’s like when a person’s fears or beliefs are placed upon their children. It creates an endless cycle of the same behavior, beliefs, and fears. Neither town attempted to conform with one another because of past history fueled by hatred, pain, and race. Leaving those wishing for more caught in the midst.
Favorite Quote: “We desire control over what we can’t see.”
Side note: The way everyone kept referring to the train tracks reminded me of the movie Life. When they were told if they crossed the gun line they would be killed. To me the town of Hamilton symbolized the tracks the same way. If ever crossed it would result in a death sentence.
Overall, the novel was emotional, passionate, and impactful so I definitely recommend!!!!
Capri Collins once afraid to chase her dreams out of fear of what her grandmother would think. Justin Collins her brother with his hopes high on leaving Hamilton behind allows a careless act to cost him his future. Zach Whitman new to Bayside set out to find something that felt more like home back in Philly. Finds himself stuck in a time wrap and a full-blown war between Hamilton and Bayside.
I enjoyed reading this novel while it was a slow build it ended so powerfully. The ending took a turn I wasn’t expecting. Justice being served isn’t something seen to often in these type of situations. But the author touched on multiple themes from self-discovery, teen pregnancy, racism, segregation, family dynamics, and following your dreams.
We see firsthand what it’s like when a person’s fears or beliefs are placed upon their children. It creates an endless cycle of the same behavior, beliefs, and fears. Neither town attempted to conform with one another because of past history fueled by hatred, pain, and race. Leaving those wishing for more caught in the midst.
Favorite Quote: “We desire control over what we can’t see.”
Side note: The way everyone kept referring to the train tracks reminded me of the movie Life. When they were told if they crossed the gun line they would be killed. To me the town of Hamilton symbolized the tracks the same way. If ever crossed it would result in a death sentence.
Overall, the novel was emotional, passionate, and impactful so I definitely recommend!!!!
glendareads39's review
5.0
Other side of the tracks is a deeply impactful, hard-hitting, gripping debut novel about three teens who confront and unpack the societal constraints of their racially divided towns of Bayside & Hamiliton. When one of them loses a friend to police brutality. the conflict between the two communities escalates.
'If our lies were grains of sand, mine would barely fill a tiny seashell. Yours would make an entire seashore."
"If we walk on the wrong side of the tracks, we'll still get a bullet to the back."
"The land of the chained! A home to the enslaved! America stop digging us our graves."
"Justin, Being Black is not a curse."
"You'd love them enough to give them the truth no matter what it costs you. That's what doing the right things is about."
Thank you Charity Alyse for writing a powerful debut novel and Hear our voices book tours crew for giving me the chance to join this book tour.
'If our lies were grains of sand, mine would barely fill a tiny seashell. Yours would make an entire seashore."
"If we walk on the wrong side of the tracks, we'll still get a bullet to the back."
"The land of the chained! A home to the enslaved! America stop digging us our graves."
"Justin, Being Black is not a curse."
"You'd love them enough to give them the truth no matter what it costs you. That's what doing the right things is about."
Thank you Charity Alyse for writing a powerful debut novel and Hear our voices book tours crew for giving me the chance to join this book tour.
hollydaisy23's review
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A little slow in the beginning, but definitely picked up in the middle. Was a good book!
jlove731's review
4.0
“Just like Mama said, even dim stars could be wished upon.”
– Pg. 164
I feel like I learned so many lessons while reading this book. Not only did it feel like an old “Civil War” era at times where dark-skin Americans and light-skin Americans were separated, but the book felt gritty. I mean that in the best, eye-opening way. These struggles are still what children go through in communities every day.
I absolutely adored Zach throughout this book. I feel like even though he knows he came from a “rougher” part of Philly, he embraced it and took joy in it developing who he was as a person. I also love that he stands up for everything and everyone he believes in regardless of the consequences.
With Capri and Justin our siblings, I felt things for both their story arcs for different reasons. With Capri, I loved watching her grow and become more confident. Watching her and Zach together and trying to defy all odds was awe-inspiring. With Justin, his character arc sort of went the other direction, however I understood each decision he was making whether I agreed with it or not.
The only reason I knocked the book a star, was because I felt the beginning took me a little bit to get into the story. There is a lot of learning who these three characters are and where they come from. However, once all three of our MC’s stories collide… I could not put it down.
Charity absolutely crafted a story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished the pages. So many parts of this book are heartbreaking even while you root for the best to happen. It also shocks (and slightly scares me) that this type of story (situations) still happen in real life. I only hope that like in her book, we as humans grow and learn to accept everyone.
Find the full review at Jotted by Jena
– Pg. 164
I feel like I learned so many lessons while reading this book. Not only did it feel like an old “Civil War” era at times where dark-skin Americans and light-skin Americans were separated, but the book felt gritty. I mean that in the best, eye-opening way. These struggles are still what children go through in communities every day.
I absolutely adored Zach throughout this book. I feel like even though he knows he came from a “rougher” part of Philly, he embraced it and took joy in it developing who he was as a person. I also love that he stands up for everything and everyone he believes in regardless of the consequences.
With Capri and Justin our siblings, I felt things for both their story arcs for different reasons. With Capri, I loved watching her grow and become more confident. Watching her and Zach together and trying to defy all odds was awe-inspiring. With Justin, his character arc sort of went the other direction, however I understood each decision he was making whether I agreed with it or not.
The only reason I knocked the book a star, was because I felt the beginning took me a little bit to get into the story. There is a lot of learning who these three characters are and where they come from. However, once all three of our MC’s stories collide… I could not put it down.
Charity absolutely crafted a story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished the pages. So many parts of this book are heartbreaking even while you root for the best to happen. It also shocks (and slightly scares me) that this type of story (situations) still happen in real life. I only hope that like in her book, we as humans grow and learn to accept everyone.
Find the full review at Jotted by Jena
swhence's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
brittmariasbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I'm devastated! sob
This book had me oohing and gasping and crying (in public)! This is one of those books where I just knew it would be good. And it is so, so good!
Charity Alyse did it so well!
Why do I always think: "Oh, a Romeo and Juliette retelling! Forbidden love, fun!" and not: "Oh, a Romeo and Juliette retelling! They will probably die at the end :(" and spare myself the heartbreak.
This book had me oohing and gasping and crying (in public)! This is one of those books where I just knew it would be good. And it is so, so good!
Charity Alyse did it so well!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Minor: Abortion