The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed | AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
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Los Angeles, 1992
Ashley Bennett and her friends are living the charmed life. It’s the end of senior year and they’re spending more time at the beach than in the classroom. They can already feel the sunny days and endless possibilities of summer.
Everything changes one afternoon in April, when four LAPD officers are acquitted after beating a black man named Rodney King half to death. Suddenly, Ashley’s not just one of the girls. She’s one of the black kids.
As violent protests engulf LA and the city burns, Ashley tries to continue on as if life were normal. Even as her self-destructive sister gets dangerously involved in the riots. IEven as the model black family façade her wealthy and prominent parents have built starts to crumble. Even as her best friends help spread a rumor that could completely derail the future of her classmate and fellow black kid, LaShawn Johnson.
With her world splintering around her, Ashley, along with the rest of LA, is left to question who is the us? And who is the them?
Every time I read a book about such an important topic, I feel inadequate to talk about it. And all I can really say is that this book, as so many others, should be read by young readers and adults.
The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed | AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
MY THOUGHTS
As it happens so often lately, this book was eye-opening. Also saddening, as well as a real wake up call. But most of all a reminder of how much there is still to do.
And although the book started a bit slow for me, it didn’t take me long to get sucked into it’s powerful narrative. The balance between the historic background of the 1992 Rodney King Riots and the daily life of a Black teenage girl and her family in Los Angeles struck a cord. Because the way the story focused on Ashley’s life at home and school, made it even more realistic.
The author found a great balance of powerful narrative, and daily life of a Black teenage girl and her family in Los Angeles during the 1992 Rodney King Riots. The similarities between 1992 Los Angeles and the current situation in 2020 was crushing. I felt that not much has changed since then.
For someone growing up outside the US, I always appreciate it when I close a book and feel like I’ve learned something new. It was fascinating to read about Los Angeles’ Black history. And the many historic events that I wasn’t aware of, like the 1992 Rodney King Riots, and the much earlier Greenwood Massacre in Tulsa, 1921.
Overall, I would consider this book as MUST READ for anyone. And can only recommend it. BTW the audiobook was very well done!!!
FOUR STARS
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The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed | AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
Fantastic review, sounds like a really important read!
Thank you. Most of the YA books I recently read feel like important books to have read. And my tbr gets only bigger 😀
I’ve been dying to read this and I’m so glad it resonated with you! Amazing review, Corina! xo
Thank you ?, I’ve read some amazing BIPOC books recently, and there are so many more to be read. Looking forward to them all.
I have seen you raving about this one on Instagram already and added it on my TBR.
I’m not sure if I posted about this one on IG yet, but I’ve read so many great YA BIPOC books lately, and I have so many more on my tbr.
I’m glad you found the book so informative. Thanks for the tip about the audio!
You’re welcome!! I like to know that I learned something new 😀
Excellent review, Corina? This one hits the mark rather strongly.
It did!! But lately, so many books have hit the mark. Many I wouldn’t have read a year ago. Times change, and I’m glad I’m diversifying my tbr.