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mishale1's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.5
Wow. This book was powerful. I feel like it would make great required reading to teach empathy but unfortunately I feel like it’s more likely to wind up on some ridiculous banned book list.
I’m going to start by saying that kneeling during the national anthem was a small part of this story.
This book is about Russell and Marion, they are two Black teenagers growing up in a town they are just trying to get out of. There’s a cop in the next town over who shot an innocent Black teenager and the cop was reassigned and now turns up directly in Russell and Marion’s path.
Russell’s parents have taught him to stay out of trouble.
Marion’s parents pushed him away and he’s mainly being raised by Russell’s parents.
The guys are as close as brothers.
Then one day Marion gets unfairly arrested. He’s released on bail but loses his place on the football team and football is his only way out of town after he graduates so this is devastating.
This leads Russell to pursue various types of peaceful protest. He feels powerless to help his friend.
Russell also still needs to stay out of trouble himself if he wants to find his way out of town after graduation.
I loved these characters. Russell and Marion were sweethearts. I also loved Russell’s parents and his love interest Gabby.
This is a story about trying to find hope in a world that feels determined to hold you down.
The end was so beautiful I was teary.
I’m going to start by saying that kneeling during the national anthem was a small part of this story.
This book is about Russell and Marion, they are two Black teenagers growing up in a town they are just trying to get out of. There’s a cop in the next town over who shot an innocent Black teenager and the cop was reassigned and now turns up directly in Russell and Marion’s path.
Russell’s parents have taught him to stay out of trouble.
Marion’s parents pushed him away and he’s mainly being raised by Russell’s parents.
The guys are as close as brothers.
Then one day Marion gets unfairly arrested. He’s released on bail but loses his place on the football team and football is his only way out of town after he graduates so this is devastating.
This leads Russell to pursue various types of peaceful protest. He feels powerless to help his friend.
Russell also still needs to stay out of trouble himself if he wants to find his way out of town after graduation.
I loved these characters. Russell and Marion were sweethearts. I also loved Russell’s parents and his love interest Gabby.
This is a story about trying to find hope in a world that feels determined to hold you down.
The end was so beautiful I was teary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Police brutality
Minor: Physical abuse
weatherd's review against another edition
challenging
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
booksgamesvinyl's review against another edition
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Violence
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
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
4.5
Not only does this book tackle tough topics in a very engaging way, all of the characters were well-rounded and made it easy to get into the book. Buford connects race to football for Russell and shows how certain actions impact Black people specifically. This book should definitely be included in all teen collections because it's important and impactful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Car accident
Minor: Child death, Death, and Domestic abuse
kayladaila's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.75
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Inkyard Press in exchange for an honest review.
There’s a quote about books being mirrors; windows, or sliding glass doors. This book was a sliding glass door. Russ lives in a small town in Louisiana where he is a senior on his school’s football team. He is looking to get a scholarship away from his hometown when his best friend and team’s quarterback is arrested for no reason, changing both their life trajectories. I’ve read Nic Stone and Angie Thomas, but Kneel was different. Russ’s experience in a rural setting is one I’ve never read before, and there’s an added layer of frustration to the isolation these characters experience within their small town.
These characters were very well developed and the writing for the overall story was so profound. I have so many passages I want to quote. I am not at all a sportsball person, so parts of this book went over my head, but I was still able to grasp the story. The fact that I finished reading the book and immediately want to take action is telling. This book is absolutely moving.
There’s a quote about books being mirrors; windows, or sliding glass doors. This book was a sliding glass door. Russ lives in a small town in Louisiana where he is a senior on his school’s football team. He is looking to get a scholarship away from his hometown when his best friend and team’s quarterback is arrested for no reason, changing both their life trajectories. I’ve read Nic Stone and Angie Thomas, but Kneel was different. Russ’s experience in a rural setting is one I’ve never read before, and there’s an added layer of frustration to the isolation these characters experience within their small town.
These characters were very well developed and the writing for the overall story was so profound. I have so many passages I want to quote. I am not at all a sportsball person, so parts of this book went over my head, but I was still able to grasp the story. The fact that I finished reading the book and immediately want to take action is telling. This book is absolutely moving.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Police brutality, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Car accident
Minor: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, and Grief
mrscorytee's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
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