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A review by mikkareads
Anger Is a Gift by Mark Oshiro
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
High school student Moss Jeffries struggles with anxiety and the trauma of witnessing his father's murder at a young age. His school, West Oakland High, is plagued by issues like racism, violence, and problematic over-policing, which deeply affect the students and the community. As tensions rise, Moss and his friends rally to address the systemic problems they face; they begin to organize protests and advocate for change within their school and community.
But will anybody listen? Will Moss ever get to be just Moss – loyal friend, loving boyfriend and all-around good kid? To get there, he will have to face his fears and his hate.
»Anger Is a Gift« is powerful in so many ways. It's a thought-provoking exploration of social and political issues, like racial injustice, police brutality, LGBTQ+ identity, and the power of collective action. It's not a story that lets you watch from a safe distance. With raw emotional energy, it pulls you right into the eye of a storm, asking you to feel the pain, breathe the despair… And yes, channel an anger that is not only justified, but might just be a catalyst for positive change.
Moss and his friends bravely defend their right to justice, safety and acceptance, while the whole world seems intent to beat them down at any cost. Be warned: the author takes the story to deep, dark places I did not expect it to go. At one point, I felt like I was drowning, losing all hope for any kind of positive change – but I think I needed to feel that, to truly understand what the characters were going through.
Above all, this is an authentic, empowering portrayal of diverse characters and their struggles, more than worth the read.
But will anybody listen? Will Moss ever get to be just Moss – loyal friend, loving boyfriend and all-around good kid? To get there, he will have to face his fears and his hate.
»Anger Is a Gift« is powerful in so many ways. It's a thought-provoking exploration of social and political issues, like racial injustice, police brutality, LGBTQ+ identity, and the power of collective action. It's not a story that lets you watch from a safe distance. With raw emotional energy, it pulls you right into the eye of a storm, asking you to feel the pain, breathe the despair… And yes, channel an anger that is not only justified, but might just be a catalyst for positive change.
Moss and his friends bravely defend their right to justice, safety and acceptance, while the whole world seems intent to beat them down at any cost. Be warned: the author takes the story to deep, dark places I did not expect it to go. At one point, I felt like I was drowning, losing all hope for any kind of positive change – but I think I needed to feel that, to truly understand what the characters were going through.
Above all, this is an authentic, empowering portrayal of diverse characters and their struggles, more than worth the read.