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mishale1's review
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.5
Wow. This book was powerful. I feel like it would make great required reading to teach empathy but unfortunately I feel like it’s more likely to wind up on some ridiculous banned book list.
I’m going to start by saying that kneeling during the national anthem was a small part of this story.
This book is about Russell and Marion, they are two Black teenagers growing up in a town they are just trying to get out of. There’s a cop in the next town over who shot an innocent Black teenager and the cop was reassigned and now turns up directly in Russell and Marion’s path.
Russell’s parents have taught him to stay out of trouble.
Marion’s parents pushed him away and he’s mainly being raised by Russell’s parents.
The guys are as close as brothers.
Then one day Marion gets unfairly arrested. He’s released on bail but loses his place on the football team and football is his only way out of town after he graduates so this is devastating.
This leads Russell to pursue various types of peaceful protest. He feels powerless to help his friend.
Russell also still needs to stay out of trouble himself if he wants to find his way out of town after graduation.
I loved these characters. Russell and Marion were sweethearts. I also loved Russell’s parents and his love interest Gabby.
This is a story about trying to find hope in a world that feels determined to hold you down.
The end was so beautiful I was teary.
I’m going to start by saying that kneeling during the national anthem was a small part of this story.
This book is about Russell and Marion, they are two Black teenagers growing up in a town they are just trying to get out of. There’s a cop in the next town over who shot an innocent Black teenager and the cop was reassigned and now turns up directly in Russell and Marion’s path.
Russell’s parents have taught him to stay out of trouble.
Marion’s parents pushed him away and he’s mainly being raised by Russell’s parents.
The guys are as close as brothers.
Then one day Marion gets unfairly arrested. He’s released on bail but loses his place on the football team and football is his only way out of town after he graduates so this is devastating.
This leads Russell to pursue various types of peaceful protest. He feels powerless to help his friend.
Russell also still needs to stay out of trouble himself if he wants to find his way out of town after graduation.
I loved these characters. Russell and Marion were sweethearts. I also loved Russell’s parents and his love interest Gabby.
This is a story about trying to find hope in a world that feels determined to hold you down.
The end was so beautiful I was teary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Police brutality
Minor: Physical abuse
bcat0124's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
kimkreads's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? No
4.5
teachingbooklove's review
5.0
I was given an ARC of this book that releases in September and it is definitely one I will be ordering to put in my classroom. Buford tells the same story of racism in a small town, white privilege, and black boys dying on the street just because they are black. Rus and his friend Marion are a tight-end, QB combo that are expected to slay their senior year and go on to D1 schools. Then Marion is unfairly arrested and charged (while the white boy who started it goes free) and suspended from the team. Rus tried to fight for his friend as well as fight for justice. I hate this story, this story that I have read so many times. I wish authors like Buford did not have to keep writing this story, but as a theme in this book says “silence is violence.” I really enjoyed Buford’s writing and the book over all.
rachper's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
mollymcfly98's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
3.75
talesofaliteraryaddict's review
5.0
I've had this on my shelf since 2021 and considered reading it so many times and got distracted by yet another fantasy novel - I regret that decision.
Kneel is a gut wrenching novel on the engrained racism in American society - I say American because Kneel is based in America. However, there are more countries around the world that have this continued power imbalance including the UK where I live.
Russell Boudreaux and Marion LaSelle are playing rivals Westmond when one of the players uses the N slur to provoke a fight with Marion. Marion completely the victim finds himself being charged with assault and resisting arrest by a police officer who has recently killed another black child in cold blood - with no ramifications. There is a familiarity to this story as it combines elements of so many real life events we heard during the Black Lives Matters protests over the last few years. Even reading it at the early stage of 2023 I can only imagine America hasn't changed much over the last 2/3 years, it certainly feels like the UK hasn't.
This is a poignant read and a necessary read - there are numerous points where it is uncomfortable to read white men (predominantly the instigators in this story) not being held accountable for their criminal actions. We cannot shy away from the things that make us uncomfortable, it is an opportunity to learn more on experiences we can make a huge difference to.
I won't deny that I read the end whilst still only about 25% in to ensure that Marion and Russell were still alive at the end of it. I had the luxury of being able to see their fate, reality is not that lucky. Silence is violence.
Kneel is a gut wrenching novel on the engrained racism in American society - I say American because Kneel is based in America. However, there are more countries around the world that have this continued power imbalance including the UK where I live.
Russell Boudreaux and Marion LaSelle are playing rivals Westmond when one of the players uses the N slur to provoke a fight with Marion. Marion completely the victim finds himself being charged with assault and resisting arrest by a police officer who has recently killed another black child in cold blood - with no ramifications. There is a familiarity to this story as it combines elements of so many real life events we heard during the Black Lives Matters protests over the last few years. Even reading it at the early stage of 2023 I can only imagine America hasn't changed much over the last 2/3 years, it certainly feels like the UK hasn't.
This is a poignant read and a necessary read - there are numerous points where it is uncomfortable to read white men (predominantly the instigators in this story) not being held accountable for their criminal actions. We cannot shy away from the things that make us uncomfortable, it is an opportunity to learn more on experiences we can make a huge difference to.
I won't deny that I read the end whilst still only about 25% in to ensure that Marion and Russell were still alive at the end of it. I had the luxury of being able to see their fate, reality is not that lucky. Silence is violence.
homieloverfriendx's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
It took some time for me to get into this book because the pace was a bit slow for my liking. About halfway through though I was not able to put the book down and even cried.
shannon_reidwheat's review
4.0
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars
I enjoyed this book very much. I'd like to say it opened my eyes some, but sadly we all should be familiar with the blatant racism too many in our country condone and encourage daily.
This was done very well and kept me engaged for the entire book. I flew through it! Highly recommend this to all readers, young and old.
4.5 stars
I enjoyed this book very much. I'd like to say it opened my eyes some, but sadly we all should be familiar with the blatant racism too many in our country condone and encourage daily.
This was done very well and kept me engaged for the entire book. I flew through it! Highly recommend this to all readers, young and old.
book_buddy_rob's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.5