The Black KidsChristina Hammonds Reed's debut novel The Black Kids takes place during the 1992 Rodney King Riots in Los Angeles. This novel covers so many deep issues that still resonate in today's society. There are many things I want to say about this book, so I will start with our main character, Ashley. Ashley, is a black teenager from a wealthy family who must navigate being a senior, her relationship with her estranged sister, Jo, liking her best friend's boyfriend, and feeling out of place with her circle of friends in the midst of the riots; that is a lot for one book to cover, but Reed does an excellent job of focusing on all these topics in a way that makes you reflect on our current situation. Had you not known that the setting took place in 1992, you probably would have thought you were reading a novel that takes place in 2020. One of the saddest realizations I had while reading this book is that not a lot has changed since 1992 in terms of racism and police brutality. This novel is a wake-up call to the readers because a lot of our young readers will be able to see how the events that transpired after Rodney King being beaten are a mirror image of what took place after George Floyd was beaten and killed. This novel shows us historical events through the eyes of a young adult, and how at times we struggle within ourselves in figuring out where we belong in the whole scheme of things. One thing that this novel taught me is that finding and using your voice are important, no matter what age you are. This book needs to be an essential read for our young adults, who am I kidding- even adults, to see that change needs to happen, and that we cannot do it alone or in fear. Reed's debut book will be released on August 4, 2020. You can pre-order your copy below: Amazon Audible Barnes and Noble Powell's *The above review is being done on a Netgalley Advanced Reader's Copy of The Black Kids. This review is my own, and I have written it in my honest opinion.
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