katiem0201's review against another edition
5.0
"For all the people who came before us, fighting this fight, I was here, screaming at the top of my lungs.
Rashad Butler.
Present."
I debated for a bit on whether or not to give book 4 or 5 stars. But I realized that this deserves 5 stars because this book is so well-crafted and deals with police brutality and racism really well. Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely don't sugar coat it in this novel.
When Rashad Bitler, a black teen, is at the store to buy some chips, a lady trips over him he is bending down to get his phone out of his duffel bag. His bag of chips go flying, making it look like he was stealing them. Despite his protests and his efforts to claim that it was just an accident, a police officer throws him outside and starts to punch him even when Rashad is complying. Outside a white teen, Quinn, witnesses the whole thing. Quinn then realizes that the officer is his best friend's brother. Throughout this whole novel, Quinn struggles with what he saw and if he should tell someone.
This is such and important and powerful book. One that should be required to read. And with everything that has been going on in the news, it makes this book even more powerful and emotional. What really made this emotional for me were the list of names at the end of this book. I didn't realize at first that the names were actually people that have died because of police brutality.
This book needs to be read by everyone. It is such an important novel.
Rashad Butler.
Present."
I debated for a bit on whether or not to give book 4 or 5 stars. But I realized that this deserves 5 stars because this book is so well-crafted and deals with police brutality and racism really well. Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely don't sugar coat it in this novel.
When Rashad Bitler, a black teen, is at the store to buy some chips, a lady trips over him he is bending down to get his phone out of his duffel bag. His bag of chips go flying, making it look like he was stealing them. Despite his protests and his efforts to claim that it was just an accident, a police officer throws him outside and starts to punch him even when Rashad is complying. Outside a white teen, Quinn, witnesses the whole thing. Quinn then realizes that the officer is his best friend's brother. Throughout this whole novel, Quinn struggles with what he saw and if he should tell someone.
This is such and important and powerful book. One that should be required to read. And with everything that has been going on in the news, it makes this book even more powerful and emotional. What really made this emotional for me were the list of names at the end of this book. I didn't realize at first that the names were actually people that have died because of police brutality.
This book needs to be read by everyone. It is such an important novel.
cait's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Bullying, Classism, Cursing, Injury/injury detail, Medical content, Death of parent, Mental illness, Child abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, Grief, Police brutality, and Racism
Minor: Alcohol
i_books's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? N/A
5.0
lillyvx's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
3.25
arianaromer0j's review against another edition
5.0
Seriously such a great read. I was really glad that this was told from two completely different perspectives.
karlygraham's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality and Violence
nonime's review
challenging
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
jg12389's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this. It's so frustrating to know that this was one of the most challenged/banned books in 2020. I enjoyed the characters and the complexity of the story. I think this is a great YA read and a great way to get readers thinking about some really important issues, like civil rights, police brutality, and antiracism. Would definitely recommend this book!
jillybean_79's review against another edition
5.0
Great book! If you liked The Hate U Give and Dear Martin, you’ll appreciate this book. It’s an easy read, and a little on the nose at times but clearly the message needs to be shouted loudly as some people still don’t get it.
I liked the shades of gray the book introduces. Quinn struggles with his feelings about the situation because the cop who did the beating was a close friend & father figure for him. How can someone who is a hero to him also be the “bad guy”? Also, Rashad’s father is a former cop and as a black cop made the same incorrect assumption about a black kid but with more disastrous results. We don’t get much from the fathers perspective but its clear he’s struggling with his son being beaten and reconciling that with having been in the cop’s shoes before.
I liked the shades of gray the book introduces. Quinn struggles with his feelings about the situation because the cop who did the beating was a close friend & father figure for him. How can someone who is a hero to him also be the “bad guy”? Also, Rashad’s father is a former cop and as a black cop made the same incorrect assumption about a black kid but with more disastrous results. We don’t get much from the fathers perspective but its clear he’s struggling with his son being beaten and reconciling that with having been in the cop’s shoes before.