Reviews tagging 'Police brutality'

The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed

41 reviews

clarkf87's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

4.25

Who is the us? Who is the them? Who is the me? These are all the questions Ashley Bennett seeks to answer in this beautifully written novel. Taking place in 1992, this story follows several seniors in high school who go from mostly fitting in with their white friends to the outcasted Black teens after four LAPD police officers are acquitted for brutally assaulting Rodney King, a Black man of their community. 
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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

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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

3.5

 The Black Kids is set in Los Angeles, against the background of the riots following the acquittal of police officers accused of the beating of Rodney King. Ashley, a high school senior, comes from a relatively wealthy family and, although she is Black, her social circle is the other wealthy kids in her predominantly white school. But fallout from the riots contributes to a new found political and social awareness. That combined with her friends changing attitudes leads Ashley to mix more with other Black kids, reconsider her identity and the importance of race. A quick solid read but it felt a bit too superficial to be fully satisfying or memorable.
 
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_p0ssum_'s review against another edition

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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

4.0

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ktdakotareads's review

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dark informative 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

3.0

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gellyreads's review against another edition

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emotional 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

5.0

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evelynyle_88's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective 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

3.0

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bookish_kirst's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Set in Los Angeles in 1992 during the protests after the acquitting of the police officers who brutally attacked Rodney King. This book is such an eye opener and a must read. It deals with some very heavy topics; police brutality, racism and classism being the main themes. Even though this book is set in the 90's it is still very relevant today. A very thought provoking book and honestly just a powerful read.

The Black Kids follows high school senior, Ashley Bennett, as she tries to navigate life being one of a handful of black kids attending a private school, the difficulties of teenage friendships/relationships, family drama.

CW/TW: police brutality, racism, violence, classism
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emmasiporatyler's review against another edition

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emotional reflective 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

3.5

This author has a strong, clear voice - pretty + at times poetic style. The plot felt very understated and gentle, which is why I think I didn’t find myself reaching for it super often. But overall, I enjoyed it!
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candaceallison's review

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challenging hopeful reflective 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? Yes

3.0

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hayleythegoose's review

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad 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

4.0

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