A review by bickie
Anger Is a Gift by Mark Oshiro

4.0

Moss, a Black teen, lives in Oakland, CA, and goes to West Oakland HS. His friend Esperanza (Latina? adopted by an affluent white couple) expertly helps him deal with his anxiety and panic attacks. One day on the way home on BART (the metro system), they meet a cute guy their age who turns out to be gay like Moss. Javier and Moss swap numbers, starting off a sweet romance. As Moss starts the school year (both Javier and Esperanza go to different schools than Moss), changes come in the form of random locker checks by the "school resource officer" (AKA police officer). Moss's trans friend is the first victim, and when the SRO finds a baggie of pills (her anti-seizure medicine, it turns out), he assaults her, enraged that she would "deal drugs" at "his" school. Moss, who likes to stay as far away from police as possible after one shot his dad as he exited a grocery store, stands up for his friend. School admin uses this "altercation" as an excuse to install metal detectors at the entrance. Moss and his friends, assisted by Moss's mom (who has mad organizer skills), stage a peaceful protest that ends up in unthinkable violence. Moss's peaceful protest of that protest's violence also results in unthinkable violence.
Great illustration of the gross misuse of power on the part of SROs and metropolitan police. Lots of LGBTQ+ rep, some disabled rep (anxiety, seizures, long-term difficulty walking due to leg injury). Exploration of white fragility and white saviorism, among other problematic elements of outsiders and proximate people who think they are being allies. Discussion of male body image and fight to remain positive about a body that is not totally ripped.
Best for 7th and up though OK for 5th/6th who are particularly interested and/or knowledgeable about criminal justice reform.
My only real complaint is that the book is really long. At 456 pages of very small print, it could be tough for some kids to read.