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wren_in_black 's review for:
Tyler Johnson Was Here
by Jay Coles
3.5 of 5 Stars
This is the next book in line for fans of [b:All American Boys|25657130|All American Boys|Jason Reynolds|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1444506678l/25657130._SX50_.jpg|45479026] and [b:Dear Martin|24974996|Dear Martin (Dear Martin, #1)|Nic Stone|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1495747080l/24974996._SY75_.jpg|44640226]. For a book that deals with police brutality, gang violence, racism, and grief, the book is relatively clean. It's no where near [b:The Hate U Give|32075671|The Hate U Give|Angie Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1476284759l/32075671._SY75_.jpg|49638190] in the intensity of language or scenes described. In fact, the pivotal moment of this book takes place "off screen". As it turns out, that decision both makes the book less intense in its coverage of the topic and more suspenseful in portraying what many families can and do experience.
Tyler Johnson Was Here is written from the point of view of Marvin, Tyler's twin. Tyler has been growing more distant from his brother and friend group over the past year. Marvin knows there are some bad rumors and almost certainly a few bad truths about Tyler's new friends, but he doesn't know what to do about it. Marvin's father is in prison and can't do much to help either. Marvin writes their father, but Tyler does not. There's not much to be done about it.
And so, when Tyler decides to go to a house party, Marvin tags along. But it's not exactly Marvin's scene and the two decide to part ways. Marvin goes home and Tyler stays. But what started as harmless fun at the party turns into a shooting and a police raid.
Tyler goes missing and is eventually found dead. Now that society has turned his brother into a thug and a hashtag, Marvin has to figure out what freedom really means and how he might be able to find it.
As far as books on this topic go, this one is unique. The pivotal scene isn't witnessed by the main character. I think this actually weakens the book, even though it does provide a unique experience. I didn't feel like the supporting characters were as well rounded as I would like them to be, especially Faith. I definitely rooted for Marvin, but the other characters, even Marvin's mother and father, fell rather flat. I've read several recent books on this topic and this one works best as a gateway into the topic rather than a later read on the subject.
It is "cleaner" than The Hate U Give and will not give teachers or parents much pause in comparison to some other books on the same subject.
This is the next book in line for fans of [b:All American Boys|25657130|All American Boys|Jason Reynolds|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1444506678l/25657130._SX50_.jpg|45479026] and [b:Dear Martin|24974996|Dear Martin (Dear Martin, #1)|Nic Stone|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1495747080l/24974996._SY75_.jpg|44640226]. For a book that deals with police brutality, gang violence, racism, and grief, the book is relatively clean. It's no where near [b:The Hate U Give|32075671|The Hate U Give|Angie Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1476284759l/32075671._SY75_.jpg|49638190] in the intensity of language or scenes described. In fact, the pivotal moment of this book takes place "off screen". As it turns out, that decision both makes the book less intense in its coverage of the topic and more suspenseful in portraying what many families can and do experience.
Tyler Johnson Was Here is written from the point of view of Marvin, Tyler's twin. Tyler has been growing more distant from his brother and friend group over the past year. Marvin knows there are some bad rumors and almost certainly a few bad truths about Tyler's new friends, but he doesn't know what to do about it. Marvin's father is in prison and can't do much to help either. Marvin writes their father, but Tyler does not. There's not much to be done about it.
And so, when Tyler decides to go to a house party, Marvin tags along. But it's not exactly Marvin's scene and the two decide to part ways. Marvin goes home and Tyler stays. But what started as harmless fun at the party turns into a shooting and a police raid.
Tyler goes missing and is eventually found dead. Now that society has turned his brother into a thug and a hashtag, Marvin has to figure out what freedom really means and how he might be able to find it.
As far as books on this topic go, this one is unique. The pivotal scene isn't witnessed by the main character. I think this actually weakens the book, even though it does provide a unique experience. I didn't feel like the supporting characters were as well rounded as I would like them to be, especially Faith. I definitely rooted for Marvin, but the other characters, even Marvin's mother and father, fell rather flat. I've read several recent books on this topic and this one works best as a gateway into the topic rather than a later read on the subject.
It is "cleaner" than The Hate U Give and will not give teachers or parents much pause in comparison to some other books on the same subject.