Reviews

Take Back the Block by Chrystal D. Giles

reading_to_write's review against another edition

4.0

Review from the 11-year-old who read it: It’s a good book: I highly recommend it. It teaches you a lot about gentrification.

blogginboutbooks's review against another edition

4.0

TAKE BACK THE BLOCK is an inspiring, empowering story about the importance of speaking out and working to further causes you believe in. The characters are a likable bunch, easy to root for. For the most part, the kids speak and act like kids, which isn't always true in MG books. My only beef is the romance-y bits between Wes and Alyssa. West JUST turned ELEVEN—I really don't think a romantic subplot (even as minor as it is) rings very true. It felt odd to me. As far as plot goes, TAKE BACK THE BLOCK takes a bit to get warmed up, but once it does, it moves along at a fair pace. Upbeat and uplifting, the story teaches some valuable lessons about being a friend, serving others, the power of found family, and the importance of putting one's energy behind worthy causes. With a mostly Black cast, it's also a diverse read about the kind of community that is severely underrepresented in MG literature. All of these elements combine to make this book an engaging, enjoyable, and thought-provoking read.

ngreader's review against another edition

4.0

This is a great book for introducing the tough topic of gentrification. It felt approachable and understandable for a fourth-sixth grade reader. The one thing I had against it is I felt it tried to weave in too many threads at the end, leaving the ending feeling rushed or aspects of plotlines (like Kari) feeling completely unfinished. Overall, a great book and a wonderful one for initiating conversations with students!

rachelwrites007's review against another edition

4.0

*Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Children’s for the opportunity to read this book in advance*

A quick engaging read with short chapters, Take Back the Block is full of real characters who fly off the pages. This one would be a great read alike for A GOOD KIND OF TROUBLE by Lisa Moore Ramee.

angiedkelly's review against another edition

5.0

Wonderful and timely middle grade book. Love how it dealt with current happenings in an approachable manner and one that I would think would spark conversations in the classroom and at home. Characters are relatable and true to their ages.

Highly recommend.

agbaye's review against another edition

hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

miszjeanie's review

4.0

Take Back the Block is an insightful, inspiring, and hearty middle-grade book about community, friendship, and speaking up. This realistic debut also touches on poverty and homelessness as well as navigating a pre-pubescent crush. If you enjoy reading books by Black authors about social issues, then you should definitely add this one to your TBR!

Read my full review on the blog.

Thanks to author Chrystal Giles and the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley!

megan_stine's review against another edition

3.0

Middle level and social justice focused 

mindfullibrarian's review against another edition

5.0

What a perfect read aloud for 5th and 6th grade teachers to start the school year off with! Or of course anytime, but since I read this in June I instantly thought of it as a B2S pick. It also starts off with the beginning of a new school year so there’s that too. Gentrification, social justice, civic duty, police discrimination, friendship, Black history ~ this book has it ALL in a very accessible story about one 11 year-old boy trying to fight for his neighborhood and the families that live there. I read the entire book in one morning and can’t recommend it highly enough especially for 5th and 6th grades.

firefly_reading's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5