Jas Hammond’s debut novel, We Deserve Monuments, is a beautifully written coming of age story that reads like a love story, a mystery, and an indictment of the South’s racism. Avery is a queer black girl whose family moves back to her mother’s small hometown in Georgia to care for Avery’s dying grandmother. I loved Avery and was drawn into the story from the first moments with her. Written with warmth and authenticity, she is a character that will certainly appeal to YA readers. This novel is a wonderfully drawn depiction of first love and also a beautiful example of familial love. Along with telling a well told story, it manages to explore intergenerational trauma in a thoughtful and compelling way. I was impressed with how fluidly Hammonds weaves together a mix of genres with complex themes. This book would make a great addition to any YA collection and has so much to offer adult readers as well. Jas Hammonds is a writer to watch and I cannot wait to see what they write next.