Reviews with content warning for Police brutality - Tyler Johnson Was Here

Not a bad book overall but nothing like excellingly revolutionary

I did really like the characters though which is important for me in a story to at least like ONE character and I probably loved them all

Even though he was an ass

I do wonder what happened with Johntae since he literally just ran off. Not important to the story of Tyler ofc but y'know I'm curious

The friendships in the story were also strong and the message is there

There's a few parts that had me going like ugh but nothing that makes the book like an awful awful book

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lucyisabella's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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nickoliver's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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amandalorianxo's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad tense 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

4.0

I love the cover. We need to see more men/ boys of color in softer settings and this was a great way of showcasing Marvin as the character he was - gentle but not a pushover. This was all too real and heartbreaking, black boys facing death in the hands of police. This was a little too slice of life but regardless an important read. I would have maybe taken out the random sex scene Marvin has with Faith but the diversity in characters and sexualities ( one of Marvin’s best friends is a biracial lesbian) was great to observe. The pain his parents feel was also heart wrenching.

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anniereads221's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad slow-paced

4.0

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sby616's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-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

2.75

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lucifer_morningstar13's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

I absolutely loved this read, even though it threatened to make me cry even from the first couple of chapters, and I hate to cry while I read or watch media. I felt every bit of this, and though a lot of the scenarios depicted in this book are not ones I have ever encountered, Coles writes in such a way that you truly feel the weight of the words, the actions of the main character and other characters, and the pain and utter despair brought about by

Tyler's murder

. I think everyone should read this book. It doesn't go incredibly in-depth on the subjects, but it is a good introduction for anyone who doesn't understand the weight the media has in pushing racism, bigotry, and prejudice towards victims of police brutality and murder. The way media depicts victims as thugs, unworthy of having ever lived because they sold drugs, were part of a gang, or commmitted some petty or serious crime. Media will make those with weak mindsets believe that it's a good thing these people were murdered when they were, so that now they're off the streets and things are safer for everyone. It's absolute bullshit, and this book does a good job of exposing that while also focusing on the very real effects of not only the loss of a brother and son, but the effect of having to hear daily how your brother, son, (and outside of this book, husband, cousin, nephew, etc.) sold drugs and therefore was scum of the earth and deserved to be murdered when he wasn't doing anything wrong.
Powerful book.

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lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative 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? N/A

4.5

This was a very moving book that both broke my heart and made me enraged. This story follows a young, black boy in high school who is struggling with a father in prison, trying to just survive being black, and the murder of his twin brother. This book was ambitious with all of the heavy topics it sought out to tackle, but it did so perfectly. Although this book is a work of fiction, it is heavily rooted in the world we live in, and I believe everyone could gain some perspective reading this. The writing was captivating, but very approachable, which makes it perfect for the YA audience!

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