Reviews

A Door Made for Me by Tyler Merritt

corriespondent's review

5.0

Tyler Merritt’s first book, I Take My Coffee Black, remains one of the funniest, engaging, and vulnerable memoirs out there (not to mention Best Audiobook Ever in my mental list), where he writes with heart and hope about ”Tupac, musical theater, faith, and being Black in America.” Tyler is an incredible storyteller, and one of the many stories he shares is about his first experience of racism as a young boy while visiting relatives in Alabama. This story is captured beautifully in Tyler’s newest book, A Door Made For Me. The story explores the sting of rejection and the unfairness of racism with imagery of literal closed doors, as we journey with little Tyler in his rude racial awakening. In true Tyler fashion, the story doesn’t shy away from his truth; it ends with some tension, where there isn’t a neatly tied bow of reconciliation and complete acceptance by others — but this makes the message of true value and true identity (“you are loved”) and the call to keep doors open for others even more powerful. While this is a children’s book, Tyler’s message is for everyone.

beths0103's review

4.0

A picture book that explores young Black boy's first overt experience with racism and what that means for his friendships and self-esteem.

Author Tyler Merritt is well known for the viral video "Before You Call the Cops" in 2018.

kriste's review

5.0

elementary age book on friendship and racism

danavanderlugt's review

Audio version would make a great accompaniment to this book in the classroom. Autobiographical story read by the author.

pib003's review

5.0

Expertly written

themartinmama's review

5.0

An important book for all families about love, inclusion, and being anti-racist. Tyler always has beautiful ways of sharing his message even through his own sometimes painful stories and bringing beauty from ashes.

lrector's review

emotional hopeful fast-paced

5.0

The illustrations are beautiful! Lonnie Ollivierre created gorgeous pictures that captured the laughter and sadness of the kids in the story.  One of those kids being the author, Tyler Merritt. Now, if you have read I Take My Coffee Black, then this is not a new tale for you. Tyler doesn't sugarcoat the racism he faced that day. What he does show is that even with people who will judge you for the color of your skin, there are still people who will love you and support you. There are still doors that will be open to you, and you just have to wait on the right one.