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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
I don’t think I possess the words to adequately describe what this book did to me, but I’m going to try. This book punched me right in the gut and made me feel a full spectrum of emotions.
The story is told (mainly) from two perspectives: Isaiah and Angel. Angel feels she was put on this earth to be compassionate, forgiving, and most importantly, to take care of others. She is so selfless and caring though she is losing her father and her family is struggling. Isaiah is a bit of handful, and there were several times I wanted to shake him a little bit for his actions, but underneath his tough exterior is a boy willing to fight for what’s right.
The first approximately 80% of this focuses largely on Angel and Isaiah’s relationship and it’s development. They are tasked to work together over the summer distributing books, operating as a mobile library. Though it still felt a little bit like instant love, I was rooting for them to be together. They offered each other a nice balance, and challenged each other to see other perspectives than their own.
The last 20% of the book absolutely wrecked me. This is the part where I just don’t have the words to adequately articulate my feelings. The book ends with the Greenwood Massacre that took place on May 31 – June 1, 1921. This section was absolutely terrifying and heartbreaking. I had to read the entire thing through tears. There is insurmountable loss, redemption, and strength of character. Though this portion covers the atrocious acts that took place during the Greenwood Massacre, Pink ends on a note of hope.
I cannot recommend this book enough. Though this is a work of fiction, it is absolutely real. Pink does an excellent job of weaving fiction with historical fact and her writing is gripping. I urge you to do your own research into the Greenwood Massacre. Pink has been doing a series on her Instagram highlighting Black towns, I’d highly recommend you check it out.
The story is told (mainly) from two perspectives: Isaiah and Angel. Angel feels she was put on this earth to be compassionate, forgiving, and most importantly, to take care of others. She is so selfless and caring though she is losing her father and her family is struggling. Isaiah is a bit of handful, and there were several times I wanted to shake him a little bit for his actions, but underneath his tough exterior is a boy willing to fight for what’s right.
The first approximately 80% of this focuses largely on Angel and Isaiah’s relationship and it’s development. They are tasked to work together over the summer distributing books, operating as a mobile library. Though it still felt a little bit like instant love, I was rooting for them to be together. They offered each other a nice balance, and challenged each other to see other perspectives than their own.
The last 20% of the book absolutely wrecked me. This is the part where I just don’t have the words to adequately articulate my feelings. The book ends with the Greenwood Massacre that took place on May 31 – June 1, 1921. This section was absolutely terrifying and heartbreaking. I had to read the entire thing through tears. There is insurmountable loss, redemption, and strength of character. Though this portion covers the atrocious acts that took place during the Greenwood Massacre, Pink ends on a note of hope.
I cannot recommend this book enough. Though this is a work of fiction, it is absolutely real. Pink does an excellent job of weaving fiction with historical fact and her writing is gripping. I urge you to do your own research into the Greenwood Massacre. Pink has been doing a series on her Instagram highlighting Black towns, I’d highly recommend you check it out.
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I picked this up at the library on a whim because the title intrigued me, and when I read the synopsis, I knew this would be an important story. I was right. Although the first half of the book was rather slow, Pink’s writing had me speeding through it nonetheless. Angel and Isaiah grew on me both as individuals and, eventually, as a couple. The family and community dynamics warmed my heart, only for the last third of the book to weigh it down more than I thought possible. The Greenwood massacres are a part of American history not taught in school that I only recently learned about, and this story was eye-opening in more ways than one. I’m not sure what else I can say, as a white person, but I’m glad I read this and definitely think other white people need to as well.
Representation
Representation
- Black protagonist and side characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Racism, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Infidelity, Terminal illness
Also contains a scene at the end of the book where a building in Greenwood is bombed.
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a beautiful story about black joy, love, and success. Pink examines the complexities and multitudes within Greenwood, a black community, in 1921 Tulsa, Oklahoma. This book shows the deep humanity and community that was long denied to Black people in America. It is a slice of life set in a historical setting. The tragedy of the massacre is not lessened by this narrative style but rather enhanced to a heart-breaking degree.
The story follows Angel and Isaiah, two teens in Greenwood, as they fall in love. It is a romance grounded in respect, trust, and affection. Throughout their conversations and narrations (in the dual perspective) the philosophies of Booker T. Washington and WEB DuBois are explored and critiqued. I felt that the character development was rushed, but they are still presented as fully realized people. I don't love romance but this was a beautiful set up of the pure ignorance and horror of the one-sided massacre that white Tulsans executed against Greenwood. Not that it needs to be proven to any who know of it.
The story follows Angel and Isaiah, two teens in Greenwood, as they fall in love. It is a romance grounded in respect, trust, and affection. Throughout their conversations and narrations (in the dual perspective) the philosophies of Booker T. Washington and WEB DuBois are explored and critiqued. I felt that the character development was rushed, but they are still presented as fully realized people. I don't love romance but this was a beautiful set up of the pure ignorance and horror of the one-sided massacre that white Tulsans executed against Greenwood. Not that it needs to be proven to any who know of it.
First: the cover art for this book is so stunning.
This is a YA book because of content but some of the writing felt more middle grade to me. Not in a bad way, it just seemed like that might be the target audience.
I felt the writing was stronger in the first half than the second, and the book lost me a bit in parts. I wish there wasn't a romance aspect or it had been done differently, because the romance felt rushed and shallow, and I felt it took away from the overall story.
I really liked each character individually, though.
Overall, a good book on an important topic.
This is a YA book because of content but some of the writing felt more middle grade to me. Not in a bad way, it just seemed like that might be the target audience.
I felt the writing was stronger in the first half than the second, and the book lost me a bit in parts. I wish there wasn't a romance aspect or it had been done differently, because the romance felt rushed and shallow, and I felt it took away from the overall story.
I really liked each character individually, though.
Overall, a good book on an important topic.
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This was heartbreaking to read.
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence
Let me start by saying that this book is necessary and this review has been incredibly difficult to write. Necessary because, as a native of Tulsa, these stories don't get told enough and especially not in a way for young people to connect with. With the centennial of the Tulsa Race Massacre fast approaching I can guarantee that there will be many other books coming out this year that present the story of what happened in the summer of 1921 in Greenwood in a variety of formats. And difficult because I do not think this book will be one of the better ones.
'Angel of Greenwood' is the love story of teens Angel Hill and Isaiah Wilson who grow up in Greenwood with very different world views. Angel is a follower of Booker T. Washington and she believes, through education and tolerance, that black people should rise slowly and without forced conflict. Isaiah on the other hand is devoted to studying the works of WEB. Du Bois and believes that black people should rise up to claim their place as equals. Debating the merits and flaws of each of these great thinkers, Angel and Isaiah come to form an understanding between them that will shape their actions during one of the worst instances of racial violence in American history.
As a concept, this story excels. Randi Pink set out to write a story about two people falling in love first. Then Pink decided to set the story during the tragic events of the massacre. I appreciate this because the stories of the everyday lives of the people of Greenwood often get overshadowed by the communal loss. Their joys, jobs, and society all becomes secondary to their victimhood. So, I really loved that Pink tried to tell that story. However, I thought the characters and the unfolding of their love came across as forced. While the story begins well before the massacre, the characters didn't really come alive to me before the crucible of that night of fire.
I also think the writer got stuck describing the layout of Greenwood and North Tulsa in general. Maybe I'm biased because I grew up in North Tulsa, but I didn't get any sense of familiarity while reading the story. The setting was much too generic with a only a sprinkling in of well-known Greenwood businesses and street names. Maybe it's also because Tulsa (and Oklahoma in general) don't often get portrayed accurately in print media that my expectations were high for these books destined to come out in 2021. In 'Angel of Greenwood', I was once again disappointed.
I greatly enjoyed the moments when Angel and Isaiah were debating BTW and WEB. This is where Pink really shines as she contextualizes the event of the massacre by the two leading and contemporary sources on Black futures. I cannot speak highly enough about this aspect of the story and I think it will serve the readers well to become even better acquainted with these intellectuals.
To summarize, this story has an incredible premise but I think in the details of the descriptive writing, something about the character of Tulsa is lost. 'Angel of Greenwood' could have been a story about two teens falling in love in the early 20th century anywhere. Which, according to the epilogue, is what the author was trying to accomplish. However, this left me feeling like Pink was ultimately capitalizing on the Greenwood angle in the year of the centennial by setting her love story during the massacre. Why use Tulsa as the backdrop over any of the other Black towns that witnessed extreme violence during the "Red Summer" of 1921?
I'm probably being overly sensitive and defensive of the city of my birth, but I do feel like this is a valid concern. I guess we will just have to see as the year unfolds. When it really comes down to it, some stories about this event are absolutely better than no stories at all.
#JusticeforGreenwood
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and Edelweiss for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
'Angel of Greenwood' is the love story of teens Angel Hill and Isaiah Wilson who grow up in Greenwood with very different world views. Angel is a follower of Booker T. Washington and she believes, through education and tolerance, that black people should rise slowly and without forced conflict. Isaiah on the other hand is devoted to studying the works of WEB. Du Bois and believes that black people should rise up to claim their place as equals. Debating the merits and flaws of each of these great thinkers, Angel and Isaiah come to form an understanding between them that will shape their actions during one of the worst instances of racial violence in American history.
As a concept, this story excels. Randi Pink set out to write a story about two people falling in love first. Then Pink decided to set the story during the tragic events of the massacre. I appreciate this because the stories of the everyday lives of the people of Greenwood often get overshadowed by the communal loss. Their joys, jobs, and society all becomes secondary to their victimhood. So, I really loved that Pink tried to tell that story. However, I thought the characters and the unfolding of their love came across as forced. While the story begins well before the massacre, the characters didn't really come alive to me before the crucible of that night of fire.
I also think the writer got stuck describing the layout of Greenwood and North Tulsa in general. Maybe I'm biased because I grew up in North Tulsa, but I didn't get any sense of familiarity while reading the story. The setting was much too generic with a only a sprinkling in of well-known Greenwood businesses and street names. Maybe it's also because Tulsa (and Oklahoma in general) don't often get portrayed accurately in print media that my expectations were high for these books destined to come out in 2021. In 'Angel of Greenwood', I was once again disappointed.
I greatly enjoyed the moments when Angel and Isaiah were debating BTW and WEB. This is where Pink really shines as she contextualizes the event of the massacre by the two leading and contemporary sources on Black futures. I cannot speak highly enough about this aspect of the story and I think it will serve the readers well to become even better acquainted with these intellectuals.
To summarize, this story has an incredible premise but I think in the details of the descriptive writing, something about the character of Tulsa is lost. 'Angel of Greenwood' could have been a story about two teens falling in love in the early 20th century anywhere. Which, according to the epilogue, is what the author was trying to accomplish. However, this left me feeling like Pink was ultimately capitalizing on the Greenwood angle in the year of the centennial by setting her love story during the massacre. Why use Tulsa as the backdrop over any of the other Black towns that witnessed extreme violence during the "Red Summer" of 1921?
I'm probably being overly sensitive and defensive of the city of my birth, but I do feel like this is a valid concern. I guess we will just have to see as the year unfolds. When it really comes down to it, some stories about this event are absolutely better than no stories at all.
#JusticeforGreenwood
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and Edelweiss for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received this as an ARC book. It has been a while since I read a book that affected me they this book did. A story of two coming-of-age kids experiencing love, death, turmoil, and growing up way to fast.
The Tulsa Race Riots are not well known, this book beings it to light from these children’s eyes.
Randi Pink did a fantastic job with this story. It felt real.
The Tulsa Race Riots are not well known, this book beings it to light from these children’s eyes.
Randi Pink did a fantastic job with this story. It felt real.
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
fast-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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Toxic friendship