parasolcrafter's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
i will preface this by saying i didnt realize going into this that this book is geared towards younger readers so im not the target audience. that aside, i do think it was a very good read and i think it would be very effective at giving the right age group a book to read that they could a) identify with the characters strongly as theyre the same age, and b) its easy to read (not subject-wise, but the way its written is easy to follow!) and makes the subject matter more digestible (i dont think thats the proper words but i cant think of a better one) in a way that also doesnt trivialize the events of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Slavery
harukoreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This middle grade book about the ghost of a Black boy shot by a white police officer REALLY packs a punch considering it's barely 200 pages long. I appreciated the focus on honoring the dead and bearing witness to injustice, but I was a little surprised at how quickly Jerome embraces forgiveness, and I would have liked to see that discussed in a bit more detail. I can see this book being a powerful conversation starter for middle grade classrooms and families looking to discuss police brutality and racism.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Slavery, Racism, Death, and Violence
Brief description of Emmet Till's death
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