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kendragaylelee's review
3.0
A Good Kind of Trouble reminded my why I don't give up on books. By the end of this one, I was chatting up anyone who would listen about the storyline (my partner is long-suffering & bears the brunt of my enthusiasm for books). But I could have put it down not looked back for at least the first quarter of the book.
I'm not going to say the problem with the first fourth wasn't me as a reader. Maybe it was! I love plucky protagonists. Shayla was... shy? Definitely timid. And even for a middle schooler, she seemed remarkably self-centered and naive. Which may or may not have reflected back at me who I was in middle school (TOTALLY did). I just found myself rolling my eyes at her some of her pettiness over her friends and her desire to stay far away from trouble.
But, admittedly, that's what made it so thrilling when she finally decided what kind of trouble to get into! The atmosphere of a peaceful protest was captured so fully in these pages that it stirred that same emotions in me that I actually feel when I'm there--hope, solidarity, power. And I may have cried at the mention of Still, I Rise toward the end of the book. Maybe.
I think this book is ideal for white kids who want to understand what their Black friends likely deal with and experience (especially in relation to systemic racism & police brutality). And for Black kids growing up in predominantly white spaces that might feel not-fully-seen. The nuances about friendship and race were spot on--and really helpful to see laid out on the page with so much compassion and care. The friendship struggle/break up stuff --as well as the talking-to/dating stuff-- is universal, and painful, and so very relevant.
My very favorite part of the book, though, was the evolution of a self-centered protagonist into a young person able to take in the scope of the world around her and to work toward finding the place where she can make a difference and stand up for what she believes in. It was 100% in by the end of the book.
I wish I could give fractions of stars. This one would've been a 3.75 for me.
I'm not going to say the problem with the first fourth wasn't me as a reader. Maybe it was! I love plucky protagonists. Shayla was... shy? Definitely timid. And even for a middle schooler, she seemed remarkably self-centered and naive. Which may or may not have reflected back at me who I was in middle school (TOTALLY did). I just found myself rolling my eyes at her some of her pettiness over her friends and her desire to stay far away from trouble.
But, admittedly, that's what made it so thrilling when she finally decided what kind of trouble to get into! The atmosphere of a peaceful protest was captured so fully in these pages that it stirred that same emotions in me that I actually feel when I'm there--hope, solidarity, power. And I may have cried at the mention of Still, I Rise toward the end of the book. Maybe.
I think this book is ideal for white kids who want to understand what their Black friends likely deal with and experience (especially in relation to systemic racism & police brutality). And for Black kids growing up in predominantly white spaces that might feel not-fully-seen. The nuances about friendship and race were spot on--and really helpful to see laid out on the page with so much compassion and care. The friendship struggle/break up stuff --as well as the talking-to/dating stuff-- is universal, and painful, and so very relevant.
My very favorite part of the book, though, was the evolution of a self-centered protagonist into a young person able to take in the scope of the world around her and to work toward finding the place where she can make a difference and stand up for what she believes in. It was 100% in by the end of the book.
I wish I could give fractions of stars. This one would've been a 3.75 for me.
clair_amelia's review against another edition
3.0
I read this as an adult who works with middle school students. Personally, it was a little too political for my taste, but it was well-written, I found the dialogue to be a little forced and lacking depth or relevance to the story at times, but I also found the characters realistic and relatable. Much of Shay's experience in changing friendships reminded me of my own. I was impressed with the inclusion and relevance of certain real-world events and things that have happened in recent history. Although I feel that there are small points in the book that are presented as fact instead opinion/personal experience, I still enjoyed the book.
My biggest issue with the book was that Shayla, the main character, who is African American, made a point to say that people who look like her are being shot because of what they look like, and Asians and Latin Americans are not. That felt both belittling to their experiences as minorities and also victimizing to Shayla as an African American. I would love to see a spin-off book for each of her best friends so that readers can learn more about the experiences of other minorities.
My biggest issue with the book was that Shayla, the main character, who is African American, made a point to say that people who look like her are being shot because of what they look like, and Asians and Latin Americans are not. That felt both belittling to their experiences as minorities and also victimizing to Shayla as an African American. I would love to see a spin-off book for each of her best friends so that readers can learn more about the experiences of other minorities.
jenmangler's review against another edition
4.0
I really love the idea of getting in good trouble, necessary trouble, and I appreciate the way Ramée wrote Shayla's growth from someone terrified of trouble and avoiding it at all costs to someone willing to get into good trouble despite that fear. Great coming of age story.
mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
5.0
As someone who was trained to not rock the boat, Lisa Moore Ramee was preaching to the choir with this one.
Like Shayla, I got sick when I perceived I had made a mistake. Like Shayla, I was hypervigiliant against losing my standing with an authority figure. Like Shayla, I made questionable moral decisions to avoid standing up for what was right.
Thankfully, I grew out of it, but the echoes prevail even now, and it takes massive effort to rewire your entire identity. I'm glad that books like this are being written to possibly curtail some of that behavior. I would have been way better off if I had realized I'd be miserable AND have no good, reckless memories because I was too uptight to ever take a chance at anything.
Shayla is the kind of protagonist I like best. It is infuriating to constantly read about them doing the wrong thing, but in the end, the effort that they put into growing as a person makes it all worth it. I don't care if a character is insufferable as long as they actively take pains to improve.
Shayla grapples with her preconceived biases about a lot of things ranging from some internalized racism, respectability politics, and protesting. It's a book that covers a lot of pressing topics in the Black community in a rational, relatable way. Shayle is ultimately just scared, which is unsurprising because racism can be very scary, particularly when you're young and lacking in coping skills.
I was disappointed she did not drop her racist friend and decided to like build a bridge or whatever. This is on principle rather than the friend being below reproach, I simply always vote to ditch the friend because no one ever does it.
(shout out to Squad Goals, my beloved, who actually had the guts to see it through)
A good kind of trouble is an apt title; whether or not you are in trouble is a matter of perception, so why can't the status of it be equally as relative?
Like Shayla, I got sick when I perceived I had made a mistake. Like Shayla, I was hypervigiliant against losing my standing with an authority figure. Like Shayla, I made questionable moral decisions to avoid standing up for what was right.
Thankfully, I grew out of it, but the echoes prevail even now, and it takes massive effort to rewire your entire identity. I'm glad that books like this are being written to possibly curtail some of that behavior. I would have been way better off if I had realized I'd be miserable AND have no good, reckless memories because I was too uptight to ever take a chance at anything.
Shayla is the kind of protagonist I like best. It is infuriating to constantly read about them doing the wrong thing, but in the end, the effort that they put into growing as a person makes it all worth it. I don't care if a character is insufferable as long as they actively take pains to improve.
Shayla grapples with her preconceived biases about a lot of things ranging from some internalized racism, respectability politics, and protesting. It's a book that covers a lot of pressing topics in the Black community in a rational, relatable way. Shayle is ultimately just scared, which is unsurprising because racism can be very scary, particularly when you're young and lacking in coping skills.
I was disappointed she did not drop her racist friend and decided to like build a bridge or whatever. This is on principle rather than the friend being below reproach, I simply always vote to ditch the friend because no one ever does it.
(shout out to Squad Goals, my beloved, who actually had the guts to see it through)
A good kind of trouble is an apt title; whether or not you are in trouble is a matter of perception, so why can't the status of it be equally as relative?
reader4evr's review against another edition
5.0
So good, a great alternative for The Hate U Give for a middle schooler.
bibliobrandie's review
4.0
The Good Kind of Trouble is about Shayla's social justice awakening and there are many moments for discussion with students along the way. In addition to topics like racism and aggressions (like always wanting Shayla's input when they are discussing black artists or authors, dress codes that reinforce white norms, etc), it also shows tween girls dealing with the issues that tween girls deal with: trouble with friends, boys and crushes, parents, bullies, etc. It's a great choice for young readers interested in the Black Lives Matter movement who are not quite ready for YA titles like The Hate U Give.
rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
I was drawn to this novel because I respected and admired John Lewis. I could sympathize with Shay. In school I was always the good girl (anyone who met me later is scoffing at that image, but it is true). I was trusted by teachers and administrators and always made sure that I was well away from any campus shenanigans.
When I graduated high school I realized that there are things worth fighting for. Things worth getting in trouble for. I understood the importance of standing against injustice, standing for what you know is right. I understood that I had to "get in trouble. Good trouble. Necessary trouble."
I hope that my students read this book and become inspired to do what is right in school. I hope they read this and find their voice. I hope they find this in my classroom and understand that they have an ally in me. I hope that my words and my actions let them know that if they get in good trouble, in necessary trouble, they have an ally in me.
When I graduated high school I realized that there are things worth fighting for. Things worth getting in trouble for. I understood the importance of standing against injustice, standing for what you know is right. I understood that I had to "get in trouble. Good trouble. Necessary trouble."
I hope that my students read this book and become inspired to do what is right in school. I hope they read this and find their voice. I hope they find this in my classroom and understand that they have an ally in me. I hope that my words and my actions let them know that if they get in good trouble, in necessary trouble, they have an ally in me.
pancakes714's review
5.0
This was a really good book for fans of The Hate U Give.
What I thought of this book was that is was a less violent, and intense version
So thats what i have to say about the book!
READ IT!!!
What I thought of this book was that is was a less violent, and intense version
So thats what i have to say about the book!
READ IT!!!