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krtfkurnick's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? No
4.0
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
3.0
3.5/5
Wow, this book was something. I loved Isaiah and Angel, and how they had different views on the world. the climax was so chaotic and intense. I never knew something like this had ever happened and I'm surprised it isn't talked about more.
Wow, this book was something. I loved Isaiah and Angel, and how they had different views on the world. the climax was so chaotic and intense. I never knew something like this had ever happened and I'm surprised it isn't talked about more.
librariansrule's review
4.0
Such a four-and-a-half!
Slow to build but heart piercing from then on. Exceptional.
Slow to build but heart piercing from then on. Exceptional.
tatyana_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
soonerlit22's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
5.0
skmoen19's review
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
steph01924's review against another edition
3.0
I found it interesting that the way this historical fiction book is written is that it feels like it's old, even though it was released recently in 2021. If someone had said this was published in the '50s I'd totally be inclined to believe them. I think it works for the setting and tone of this story, although it definitely requires getting yourself into a particular mindset to get used to the cadence of the tale.
I don't know if I personally got a lot of enrichment from this book for various reasons (I didn't quite connect with our main characters, and the writing is very poetic, which, if you know me, just isn't my thing) but I think YA books that focus on prominent moments in history are so important in putting real faces to historical "facts" and "dates", and, most importantly, encourages people to practice the art of empathy (apparently not something many are innately born with, judging by the state of *gestures to the world*).
Spending time getting to know this prosperous town and to then watch so many lives get upended or cut short and experiencing that destruction of livelihoods and families, it was devastating. Narratively it wouldn't have fit the story, but I was curious to see what became of those who survived five or ten years later (off to Google!). The amount of strength it must take to come back from such injustice, having to still live in a country that perpetuated this violence and then turned a blind eye to it, is humbling.
This feels like the kind of book that needs to be taught alongside a high-school history course, which sadly feels like a 'charged' and 'controversial' statement to say in front of our bigoted state government like the one we're currently experiencing in Florida (did a certain shitty governor's face appear in my head as I read about some of the white characters featured in this novel? Who can tell through the flickering of so many torches...).
Just this morning I was reading about what Desantis is doing to New College, one of our state colleges that is known for its inclusivity and diversity, as he recently appointed a new and entirely conservative "Christian" board of directors who are going on a massive firing spree in order to "root out" the "wokeness" from this safe space for many queer students. There may not be literal torches and bombs being dropped, but I imagine the rottenness of the souls involved looks much the same. Something something doomed to repeat it...
I don't know if I personally got a lot of enrichment from this book for various reasons (I didn't quite connect with our main characters, and the writing is very poetic, which, if you know me, just isn't my thing) but I think YA books that focus on prominent moments in history are so important in putting real faces to historical "facts" and "dates", and, most importantly, encourages people to practice the art of empathy (apparently not something many are innately born with, judging by the state of *gestures to the world*).
Spending time getting to know this prosperous town and to then watch so many lives get upended or cut short and experiencing that destruction of livelihoods and families, it was devastating. Narratively it wouldn't have fit the story, but I was curious to see what became of those who survived five or ten years later (off to Google!). The amount of strength it must take to come back from such injustice, having to still live in a country that perpetuated this violence and then turned a blind eye to it, is humbling.
This feels like the kind of book that needs to be taught alongside a high-school history course, which sadly feels like a 'charged' and 'controversial' statement to say in front of our bigoted state government like the one we're currently experiencing in Florida (did a certain shitty governor's face appear in my head as I read about some of the white characters featured in this novel? Who can tell through the flickering of so many torches...).
Just this morning I was reading about what Desantis is doing to New College, one of our state colleges that is known for its inclusivity and diversity, as he recently appointed a new and entirely conservative "Christian" board of directors who are going on a massive firing spree in order to "root out" the "wokeness" from this safe space for many queer students. There may not be literal torches and bombs being dropped, but I imagine the rottenness of the souls involved looks much the same. Something something doomed to repeat it...
gretchface85's review
medium-paced
A friend of mine was reading this with her 13 year old and recommended it to me. I listened on audio and will likely read it with my younger son when he’s in 9th or 10th grade.
This YA historical fiction novel is set in 1921 in the part of Tulsa, Oklahoma known as the Black Wall Street, during the Greenwood Massacre. It’s from the perspective of two teenagers who are both dealing with grief over their parents death or illness and figuring out who they are as young people/what they believe/who they admire in the way of civil rights and social justice. This would be an excellent pairing to deep dive on what Black Wall Street was, this horrendous event that took place, and the with learning about Booker T Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois.
I really enjoyed this book and am glad I listened on audio.
Have you read this book?
This YA historical fiction novel is set in 1921 in the part of Tulsa, Oklahoma known as the Black Wall Street, during the Greenwood Massacre. It’s from the perspective of two teenagers who are both dealing with grief over their parents death or illness and figuring out who they are as young people/what they believe/who they admire in the way of civil rights and social justice. This would be an excellent pairing to deep dive on what Black Wall Street was, this horrendous event that took place, and the with learning about Booker T Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois.
I really enjoyed this book and am glad I listened on audio.
Have you read this book?