A review by fatgirlreads
The Black Girls Left Standing by Juliana Goodman

4.0

This is a book that needs to be talked about more, and will forever stick with me. This story was powerful, raw, and real. Although fiction, Goodman provides an accurate picture of what it’s like when the victim of police brutality is a black woman. This book brings one of Malcolm X’s most famous quotes to life. Additionally, this book also does well in illustrating the depths of grief when something like this happens. Goodman also provides good imagery and doesn’t shy away from the realities of the setting, the Chicago projects. This story touches on critical social issues while providing readers with suspense and a twist that will make them want to jump into the book. The one con I have is that it felt like we were on a “commercial break” for a chunk of the book, which lost me for a bit. Moreover, I feel it took a bit too long for us to get back to the task at hand. Overall, this book deserves more recognition, and one everyone should read.