This debut YA novel tells the story of two young Black men during different time periods but undergoing similar struggles with finding a way to stand up for themselves and their communities within elite institutions. Kevin is a Columbia college student in the late 1960s who participates in a sit-in to protest Columbia’s expansion into the neighboring Harlem community. Gibran is a senior at a prestigious private school in the mid 1990s trying to push his community to listen and do more to support Black students.
I loved how the author weaved in past and present throughout the book and brought to light characters that, while fictionalized, felt so real perhaps partly because of their basis in history and real events. This was a touching, impactful, educational and beautiful debut YA novel from Autumn Allen. Can’t wait to see what she writes next!
I loved how the author weaved in past and present throughout the book and brought to light characters that, while fictionalized, felt so real perhaps partly because of their basis in history and real events. This was a touching, impactful, educational and beautiful debut YA novel from Autumn Allen. Can’t wait to see what she writes next!