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tatyanavogt's review against another edition
4.0
Another powerful book by Kekla Magoon, this takes place after the events of the first book but is focused on something different and it was really well done. Great, messages, very frustrating moments. Another good but hard read.
witchofottawacounty's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
moniquemaggiore's review against another edition
4.0
This book was such a powerful read!!!! I loved the plot and the plot structure. This book was so realistic, and felt that many young adults should read this book. This book had great narrative with many viewpoints told throughout the novel. Since there were many characters, I felt the character development could have been better.
morgan_day's review against another edition
5.0
This book had more perspective than "All American Boys" yet was more nuanced than "The Hate U Give," portraying the aftermath of an unarmed black girl's death at the hands of a police officer through vignettes that provide dozens of perspectives that move the story along. This book showed me how much I didn't know. It impressed upon me the importance of using my privilege to speak up and to actually put in the work and effort to be actively anti-racist. This book HURT. I knew exactly how it was going to end, but I was still left shocked, angry, and heartbroken. This book is powerful. This book is important. This book is a must-read.
neglet's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Another amazing, intense book that drops you into a story of racial injustice. At first I didn’t think it was as powerful as HOW IT WENT DOWN, whose characters were more intimately connected to the shooting victim. Even though some of the characters reappear from HIWD, the number of POV characters might make it challenging for some readers to connect. But the numerous viewpoints make the ending even more powerful, as we’re made to feel the sheer weight of injustice that affects Black people in America. In HIWD, focus is more on whether shooting of a single young Black man was justified; here, we see how systemic racism, by making Black skin justification for any police action, imposes a horrific cost on all Black people—and how White people need to see that cost and recognize our privilege if we’re to become true allies. A stunning work.
shemyshines98's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book. I love how it's told in multiple points of views, showing how one situation can affect everyone differently. Good or bad. Great book.
Favorite quote from this book: "Anti-black bias is part of the fabric of our culture. "
Favorite quote from this book: "Anti-black bias is part of the fabric of our culture. "
mj_86's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual harassment
sde's review against another edition
4.0
Good story in what has now become a genre - YA books about questionable police actions, protest, and race. I read the book that came before this one four years ago, and I obviously forgot a lot because I was confused about some of the referrals to stuff in the previous book, and felt I was left hanging about a couple of characters. But it definitely can be read as a standalone book.
It is told from many different points of view, and, honestly, way too many points of view. It took me a while to keep it straight. I thought for a while that Will's stepfather was also the officer that has to work the Peach Street neighborhood after his colleague shoots a teen girl. I never quite figured out what Devante's role was in the book. He started out talking about how he was very comfortable in the white world given his background living in mainly white areas, so I thought the book would explore that more, but it never did. I thought the point of view of the daughter of the officer who shot the girl was interesting, and something I hadn't thought of much before. But definitely don't listen to this in audiobook form. I think the listener would never figure out what was going on.
It is told from many different points of view, and, honestly, way too many points of view. It took me a while to keep it straight. I thought for a while that Will's stepfather was also the officer that has to work the Peach Street neighborhood after his colleague shoots a teen girl. I never quite figured out what Devante's role was in the book. He started out talking about how he was very comfortable in the white world given his background living in mainly white areas, so I thought the book would explore that more, but it never did. I thought the point of view of the daughter of the officer who shot the girl was interesting, and something I hadn't thought of much before. But definitely don't listen to this in audiobook form. I think the listener would never figure out what was going on.