The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed / another powerful and relevant story

The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed

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.

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?

The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed

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!!!

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The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed