Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles

12 reviews

ecster's review

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coryyalva's review

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emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

My boyfriend recommended this book to me. It is his favorite book of all time. It is not in a genre I usually read so I was a bit skeptical, but I loved it. This was a beautifully written story. I cried several times reading it. Jay Coles really does have a way with words.

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cranedphoenix's review against another edition

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dark hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? It's complicated

3.0

Not a bad book overall but nothing like excellingly revolutionary

I did really like the characters though which is important for me in a story to at least like ONE character and I probably loved them all

Even though he was an ass
I do wonder what happened with Johntae since he literally just ran off. Not important to the story of Tyler ofc but y'know I'm curious


The friendships in the story were also strong and the message is there

There's a few parts that had me going like ugh but nothing that makes the book like an awful awful book

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lucyisabella's review against another edition

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challenging emotional 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? No

5.0


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nickoliver's review

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emotional sad medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5


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anniereads221's review

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challenging emotional sad slow-paced

4.0


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sby616's review

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75


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lucifer_morningstar13's review

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

I absolutely loved this read, even though it threatened to make me cry even from the first couple of chapters, and I hate to cry while I read or watch media. I felt every bit of this, and though a lot of the scenarios depicted in this book are not ones I have ever encountered, Coles writes in such a way that you truly feel the weight of the words, the actions of the main character and other characters, and the pain and utter despair brought about by
Tyler's murder
. I think everyone should read this book. It doesn't go incredibly in-depth on the subjects, but it is a good introduction for anyone who doesn't understand the weight the media has in pushing racism, bigotry, and prejudice towards victims of police brutality and murder. The way media depicts victims as thugs, unworthy of having ever lived because they sold drugs, were part of a gang, or commmitted some petty or serious crime. Media will make those with weak mindsets believe that it's a good thing these people were murdered when they were, so that now they're off the streets and things are safer for everyone. It's absolute bullshit, and this book does a good job of exposing that while also focusing on the very real effects of not only the loss of a brother and son, but the effect of having to hear daily how your brother, son, (and outside of this book, husband, cousin, nephew, etc.) sold drugs and therefore was scum of the earth and deserved to be murdered when he wasn't doing anything wrong. 
Powerful book. 

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lovelymisanthrope's review

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challenging dark emotional informative sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

This was a very moving book that both broke my heart and made me enraged. This story follows a young, black boy in high school who is struggling with a father in prison, trying to just survive being black, and the murder of his twin brother. This book was ambitious with all of the heavy topics it sought out to tackle, but it did so perfectly. Although this book is a work of fiction, it is heavily rooted in the world we live in, and I believe everyone could gain some perspective reading this. The writing was captivating, but very approachable, which makes it perfect for the YA audience! 

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space_bandit's review

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challenging emotional 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

4.0


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