mollywithcurls's review against another edition
4.0
Story was incredible and powerful and so needed. Some writing techniques were not my favorite and were a bit distracting.
kellymarie22's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
karimorton33's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book! I really enjoyed how it moved through the story from two perspectives and their friendship seemed really realistic.
elynn726's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Racism
Moderate: Police brutality and Sexual content
duncanr451's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mcatlove's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
alexandraloyd's review against another edition
5.0
everyone should be required to read this book. i’d ask why this isn’t a required read in schools but, i know why. because it’s real. it’s painful. it’s brutal. and it’s not pro white. :) this is the story of 14 year old justin, a straight A student who loved his pets, his mom, and reading. oh and of course, he was black, but you already knew that. he was shot and killed by a police officer while walking home from school because the cop mistook his ipod for a gun. in a perfect world that would sound like insanity but we live in america where nobody is even a little shocked by that kind of news. a book has never made me cry before and i SOBBED. the co-authors are AMAZING writers and have your heart cracking into two on the first page. literally i was 2 sentences in and got chills. so if you need a book to hold close to your heart and remember forever, this is it.
jconfess's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up. - What broke my heart and haunted me throughout this whole book was Justin thinking he would not get to wear the polo he saved for. It’s so pure. So relatable. So sad.
Neither Riley or Jen are perfect in this because none of us are. However, Jen disappointed me for not realizing the impact this tragedy would have on Riley. This is not all on Riley for not telling her. Jen has eyes. She has ears. She should be aware of the world around her. If she truly nearly lived at Riley’s house, she should have been even more attuned. It was self centered of her to blindly ignore it for their entire friendship.
Riley disappointed me for not telling her boss about her relationship with Jen. While I understand the lifelong drive to achieve a goal, it was wrong for her to interview Justin’s mother. Someone else should have handled the story.
I would recommend this to white women because fiction impacts us more than non-fiction. By reading about others lives, we relate and empathize. It be would my hope that this book opens their eyes to issues they may have been blind to.
Neither Riley or Jen are perfect in this because none of us are. However, Jen disappointed me for not realizing the impact this tragedy would have on Riley. This is not all on Riley for not telling her. Jen has eyes. She has ears. She should be aware of the world around her. If she truly nearly lived at Riley’s house, she should have been even more attuned. It was self centered of her to blindly ignore it for their entire friendship.
Riley disappointed me for not telling her boss about her relationship with Jen. While I understand the lifelong drive to achieve a goal, it was wrong for her to interview Justin’s mother. Someone else should have handled the story.
I would recommend this to white women because fiction impacts us more than non-fiction. By reading about others lives, we relate and empathize. It be would my hope that this book opens their eyes to issues they may have been blind to.