This book hits all the notes that you need from a good historical fiction--the characters feel real, the struggle and conflict is relevant and scarily real, and even though you may know about the events beforehand or have some idea where you think the story is going to go, the author keeps it fresh and interesting and absolutely captivating.
This novel impressed the hell out of me. We follow two young Black men separated by just one generation--Kevin in 1968, and Gibran in 1995--as they navigate just how complex the fight between standing up for your people and staying true to the people around you is. Allen writes each of these young men and their experiences in a way that emphasizes the intersections between class and race and gender in a way that I don't often see in YA literature. The depictions of violence and the discussions about militarism versus non-violence work really well in reflecting on the very real protests and sit-ins of the late 60s, and the feelings of frustration and anger around systemic oppression, particularly centered in elite education spaces.
And on top of it all--we have a strong family at the center of the story, with strong relationships and heartwarming character growth and internal journey. The character of Gibran's mother was particularly compelling, and there was a chapter toward the end that had me stopping every paragraph to take deep breaths to avoid tears (iykyk).
All in all, this one was a knock out of the park for me. As an educator of young people I can't wait to keep copies of this in my classroom. 6 out of 5 stars, incredible.
This novel impressed the hell out of me. We follow two young Black men separated by just one generation--Kevin in 1968, and Gibran in 1995--as they navigate just how complex the fight between standing up for your people and staying true to the people around you is. Allen writes each of these young men and their experiences in a way that emphasizes the intersections between class and race and gender in a way that I don't often see in YA literature. The depictions of violence and the discussions about militarism versus non-violence work really well in reflecting on the very real protests and sit-ins of the late 60s, and the feelings of frustration and anger around systemic oppression, particularly centered in elite education spaces.
And on top of it all--we have a strong family at the center of the story, with strong relationships and heartwarming character growth and internal journey. The character of Gibran's mother was particularly compelling, and there was a chapter toward the end that had me stopping every paragraph to take deep breaths to avoid tears (iykyk).
All in all, this one was a knock out of the park for me. As an educator of young people I can't wait to keep copies of this in my classroom. 6 out of 5 stars, incredible.